U clamp??

[craig]

Seems like a very simple thing but I am struggling to locate the longer tailed u-clamp for the nearside rack clamping point??

I know John bought his from halfrauds but I've been in 3 up here and it's not even listed anymore!

I have bought 4 of them but all have been short tailed, 2 off ebay 1 from demon and the other from merlin

Cheers
Craig

[alackofspeed]

Craig I bought a totally standard exhaust clamp - it wasn't sold as a long tailed item. From memory I've about 6mm of thread projecting beyond the lock nut.

[MadDogMoggy]

I had the same problem - the one supplied by Marlin was too short. Took me ages to find one. It came from a local motor factors I think, but was a Quentin Hazel (QH) part. Sorry, can't remember the part number or anything useful like that!

[SDMC001]

Craig

I went to my local exhaust supplier and got the next couple of sizes up, sqeezed it down in the vice gently, to the size of the one suppplied and tightened it up. The fact that it is only mild steel it finds its own level easily, I believe the SVA likes to see about three threads over the nut, and I used nylocks instead of the nut and spring washer.

Steve

[MikeR]

One other thing to remember is not to overtighten the nuts as the rack tube is very easy to crush.

Regards
Mike R

[craig]

Cheers guys! Really it should be supplied right in the kit as evryone has had issues with it

Originally Posted by alackofspeed

Craig I bought a totally standard exhaust clamp - it wasn't sold as a long tailed item. From memory I've about 6mm of thread projecting beyond the lock nut.

John, yeah 28mm I think but the halfrauds in my area dont sell this size smallest 42mm. Checked on there system and they now tell me they are not listed for that size anymore

[alackofspeed]

Originally Posted by SDMC001

Craig

I went to my local exhaust supplier and got the next couple of sizes up, sqeezed it down in the vice gently, to the size of the one suppplied and tightened it up. The fact that it is only mild steel it finds its own level easily, I believe the SVA likes to see about three threads over the nut, and I used nylocks instead of the nut and spring washer.

Steve

I did exactly that too - I had to bring the clamp in about 5mm to get it to work. They're made of monkey metal, so very soft and easy to bend to suit.

[DavidH]

Ah this most be one of the things I have to look forwards too ;-) mind it won't be for a while the steering rack is one of the things thats at the wrong end of Marlin's packed containers so I will be collecting when they unpack. Todays fun has been working out the front bulkhead. Some head scratching then refered to the Which Kit Car build manual and discovered its not designed to fit without Fettling. Still puzzled why the panel seems to go above the top bar, but everyones build pictures seem to show it that way so it must be for some reason.

[MadDogMoggy]

I think the bit above the top bar is to allow a seal with the the underside of the dash moulding (this is what I'm planning on doing) with a suitable rubber moulded finishing strip to prevent draughts 9and perhaps water) coming in between the bulkhead and dash.

[limpabit]

Originally Posted by MadDogMoggy

I think the bit above the top bar is to allow a seal with the the underside of the dash moulding (this is what I'm planning on doing) with a suitable rubber moulded finishing strip to prevent draughts 9and perhaps water) coming in between the bulkhead and dash.

As above. To help stop water etc.

Ah the fettling. This "little fettling" can be hard work hey!

[alackofspeed]

This is an area of the kit design I decided I didn't like....

I found I needed to lift the front edge of my dash about 10mm to get the windscreen to fit well. In doing this I built up the dash, and made it fit flat all the way along the front edge, and then when I installed it I bonded it against the chassis with Sikaflex along all the edges.

Having driven my car in heavy rain, and roads covered with standing water, I'm glad I did this, as there's no way a little rubber seal will keep the water from coming in, especially on the sides, where the edge of the dash is being bombarded with spray.

Up to you, but I know Ric H and another guy at the Marlin track day both found water made its way into the car under the dash.

[DavidH]

Ah I hadn't thought of it having that function, umm can see I will need to think when I attach the dash the best way to work it, as I agree would also want a watertight seal.