The first Cordite? - Page 3

donnysoutherner · #41 19th May 2012, 17:02

So, got the bodyshell and frame on the Monday of the Stoneleigh Show. Bit tight in the garage (when the TVR is in as well) so ended up suspended from the ceiling...

Got the frame primed and spray painted and attached to the chassis by drilling straight through. Decided it was easier to take the front frame off the shell. both to get it on the car but also as it was much lighter to move the shell around. Did require significant use of the hammer and none of the holes marry up

...

Sprayed the bulkhead ready for attaching the the car, then decided I didn't like the colour...

So I've had to re-prep it and tomorrow will try again!

Also, will have to take the frame off again because I've decided that rather than make a rear floor from fibreglass and plywood, I'll use a spitfire boot floor and wheel arches. Much easier I reckon. I sold my shell for £300 so i've had to go to my (becoming)good friend Gary at Spitfire graveyard to buy a chopped out piece for £60. Might be worth other Cordite owners bearing this in mind before they sell or scrap their shell.

Gary; Might be an option for you to take a mould of a spitfire arches and boot floor, cut it to make it fit and sell as an option for the Cordite? Would save loads of time.

Anyway, that's where I'm at, Hoping to get to a stage where boot floor and wheel arches are on tomorrow and Bulkhead is sprayed ready to go on the car. Bet it will all go wrong now...

Paul L · #42 19th May 2012, 17:31

Great progress Simon.

Can I ask if you've lowered the suspension, and if so how?

Cheers, Paul.

davecymru · #43 19th May 2012, 18:10

Spitfire Graveyard really are great aren't they

My donor came without a few bits-n-bobs and the team at the Graveyard were of MASSIVE help!

donnysoutherner · #44 19th May 2012, 21:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul L

Great progress Simon.

Can I ask if you've lowered the suspension, and if so how?

Cheers, Paul.

Not yet! Will cut down front springs but still scratching head about rear as long bolts like Herald won't work. Will se how the wheels look and go from there.

Paul L · #45 22nd May 2012, 21:15

I guess I will always be a few steps behind you, so thanks for leading the way, Paul.

Jerome · #46 23rd May 2012, 16:44

Hallo,

I,am building on a Vitesse with the use of the swingspring you also have.
I,ve done some experiments with lowering and if you place a 1 inch lowering block with extended bolts the camber turns to negative.Using some wood to try and get it lower the camber became VERY negative!So I think You also can use
a lowering block as well.

gr.Jerome

davecymru · #47 23rd May 2012, 17:36

Both my car and 48 (the one Trev built, now owned by another Dave) both have Swing Springs with 1" lowering blocks. Mine is Vitesse Based, 48 is 13/60 and both turned out fine.

Jerome · #48 23rd May 2012, 17:54

Hey,thanks!I feared I had missed some thing according the swingspring.
I.ve also mounted the thick bar in front.

Paul L · #49 19th June 2012, 21:36

Hi Simon,

Any updates on your build?

My kit is now in the mould and I'm keen to learn from your experiences.

In particular whether the 1 inch lowering block available from Rimmer Bros works.

Cheers, Paul.

donnysoutherner · #50 19th June 2012, 21:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul L

Hi Simon,

Any updates on your build?

My kit is now in the mould and I'm keen to learn from your experiences.

In particular whether the 1 inch lowering block available from Rimmer Bros works.

Cheers, Paul.

Hi, I'll let you know on the lowering block. Have ordered one from Canley Classics who have been three weeks delivering? trouble with supplier apparently. Piece of square metal would've been cheaper and I only ordered from them cos I tought it would be quick? You live and learn!

donnysoutherner · #51 19th June 2012, 22:09

Have done quite a bit more but not got round to downloading photos. So here's a written update, photos to follow;

1) frame has been fitted, maybe one out of ten pre drilled holes actually corresponded to the chassis. All had to be red rolled, with long bolts thru the chassis. Would have been nice to have had more accuracy on the frame and have used the captive nuts where the spit shell would fit, but hey ho. Donor wheel arches and boot floor have been chopped out and fitted beneath the frame, these seem to fit well to the body and should save loads of time.

donnysoutherner · #52 19th June 2012, 22:12

2) brake and clutch pedals fitted, had to modify the mounting brackets. the moulded bulkhead on e cordit body adds the thickness of the fibreglass hence the bracket is too long. Frame could be modified simplyby moving the pre drilled holes back 5 mm (a common theme), but my brackets now shorter and in two halves, seem to work OK.

donnysoutherner · #53 19th June 2012, 22:16

3) clutch slave and master now in and bled. No dramas, but master touches the bulkhead so only just fits. again, possibly the problem with having the first kit. Because you can't actually see any movement not entirely sure if this is working as engine has yet to run. No fuel system yetas tank will go in after suspension is lowered (really really should have done that first!

donnysoutherner · #54 19th June 2012, 22:18

4) brake system all in but yet to put fluid in. Includes a new servos fitted to bulkhead, sideways on right next to master cylinders. will go under the bonnet here. Yet to service the calipers and fit them too.

donnysoutherner · #55 19th June 2012, 22:22

5) pondering where to fit the battery. spit battery is on the bulkhead but the cordit bulkhead has no place for it. might have to chop this out as there are few other options. At the rear is an option, would he with weight a bit but would have to go behind the tank, which would mean to remove or disconnect the tank would have to come out! Not great. did consider putting a trapdoor in the boot floor which would allow the battery to drop out from underneath. All in all, likel to be up front where they are on the spitfire.

donnysoutherner · #56 19th June 2012, 22:25

6) forgot to mention that when body fitted over the frame it was obvious there bar behind the dashboard would impinge on the obvious place the speedo will go. I have modified mine to move it higher. I reported this to gary and I think he is going to modify the design for the future.

donnysoutherner · #57 19th June 2012, 22:28

7) doors have arrived, look like they will fit OK but will need quite a bit of work. Such is the nature of Sammio that whilst they will fit to the body, they're definitely not mirror images of each other. All adds to it's unique appearance in the end! still waiting for floors and grille, but have not pushed too hard as I know gary is stretched and I don't need them just yet.

donnysoutherner · #58 19th June 2012, 22:30

Will be a break now as I am on holiday next week. Also the wife wants the water feature in the garden finishing!

Hope this helps those following on behind, if you need any detail give me a shout, I'll try and get some photos on soon.

Paul L · #59 20th June 2012, 05:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by donnysoutherner

... Hope this helps those following on behind...

It sure does and I really appreciate it, both in terms of what needs to be done and the order in which to do it.

Enjoy your holiday, Paul.

PS
Thankfully I've already finished the water feature in our garden.
Although at some point I'll need to replace some rotting fence panels.

froggyman · #60 20th June 2012, 06:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by donnysoutherner

Also the wife wants the water feature in the garden finishing!

Sounds like your making good progress. Look forward to further updates especially the door fitting etc. as my Spyder will have doors. I too have water features to finish before I am allowed to even start stripping my donor. One she's named 'bathroom' the other 'ensuite'!!!!! Have a good holiday. Don't forget the photos ------ of the car not the holiday!!!!!!!