Another Cordite Is Born ...

[Paul L]

Swifty - Thanks for those extra details.

Even more reason to take my time and get it right.

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Spooky Timing…
Having just posted that I felt my car was in safe hands, they sent me some photos this evening.

As predicted by some of you on here, my seized clutch pedal was a master cylinder problem.

So that has been removed.



And been rebuilt.



Which means the really good news is the clutch itself doesn't need to be removed.

My ham fisted shearing off of a bolt in the drum brake had been drilled out and re-tapped.

Before:



After:



The value clearances have seen set.



This is actually the first time I've seen under the rocker cover.

The fact I couldn't get the engine to fire up may have had something to do with this.



Yes, I added fresh petrol to the tank, but didn't clean out the old petrol from here.

< Trying hard to sound like I actually know where "here" is, or what it does. >



Given some of the low points of this build, this is all a very positive and exiting time for me.

So to quote Swifty's reply, "Happy days ahead".

Cheers, Paul.

[Paul L]

Non Car Work:
Unfortunately, I have not been able to put my feet up while the car had been away.

So I have been spending a lot of time working in the garden, trying to get that back in some kind of order.

It still needs a ton of work, but at least we were able to have our first family BBQ of the year today.

Don't know about everywhere else, but it is seriously hot in London today.

Take care, Paul.

[Paul L]

Training Course:
Due to a change in priorities at work, my training course was delayed and started yesterday instead of last week.

Which meant yesterday I was able to have lunch sitting outside in the sunshine, looking at the Tower of London.

Whilst today, I got rained on every time I set foot outside.

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JY Classics Update:
Deep down, I knew sorting out the alignment of the rear wheels wouldn't be straightforward.

Thankfully, after some drastic measures, the rear wheels are now much closer to where they need to be.

Mods to the control arm brackets.







Control arms from an earlier model Spitfire fitted to replace my original 1500 ones.



At the end of the day, the wheels need to be pointing in the right direction, so it all needs to be sorted out.

I have also completely resigned myself to the fact the wheels may not be perfectly centred in the re-shaped arches.

But I am another step closer to being on the road, so it is all good as far as I'm concerned.

Cheers, Paul.

[Paul L]

I bring you good tidings of great joy…

In order to get the rear tracking "spot on", JY Classics had to:
- Fit shorter shafts
- Modify the brackets
- Fit 2 shims per side

So it was with a certain amount of fear & trepidation that I asked how the rear wheel was now sitting in the re-shaped arch.

They set me a photo and given all the other symmetry issues with this build, I'm going to call that a great result.



To say I am a very relieved and happy bunny at this point would be a massive understatement.

Especially when this was the original "Before" photo.



Even better news, the car will be returned on Saturday morning and I can't wait for my first "drive".
( Yes I know I am restricted to a few feet in either direction, but who cares! )

Unfortunately, I have some "homework" to do from my training course, so I'll catch up later.

Take care, Paul.

[Psycho pops]

Congratulations Paul, looks like a great result����

[Roadster]

You deserved that result Paul
It will be on the road this summer even if it takes until next year for you to stop tinkering with it.

[swifty]

Great result paul the wheels look to be still centrally to the body arch. The thing is how did the alignment get to be so far out to warrant the shortening of the tie rods especially when the original body floor is used.
Anyway roll on the weekend for the inorgrall run, good luck and i bet you will have a big smile on your face.

[nellieb]

Great progress Paul! I have trouble with my Link arms as the steering is dreadful. And so I am fitting adjustable ones. I think the Cordite frame is not true in its measurements , but will be resolved soon. Your maiden run will imprint in your memory - mine was memorable and I could not sleep after. Been great to follow your precise problem solving where my approach is do it and then see what happens.

[Paul L]

Pops - Thanks, it sure is a great result, as my biggest fear was that the new wheel position would actually foul the re-shaped arches.

Roadster - Cheers, although, even my list of "bare minimum" jobs for an MOT is pretty long.
( But I really hope I am road legal before this build reaches the 5 year mark. )

Swifty - Thanks, unfortunately, the control arms were fitted to the original Cordite framework.

Then the rear section of Spitfire body shell was fitted around the original framework, like so.



So the alignment issues were a result of the design of the Cordite framework, which ties in with Neil's reply too.

Neil - Cheers, but I just want to be clear on a couple of things:

- The precise problem solving was done by the professionals at JY Classics.
( I only take credit for the amateur problem solving that is usually on display here. )

- My first drive will be restricted to the length of my driveway as the car is not road legal yet.
( However, I will still be filming the occasion and do expect to be smiling like a loony. )

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More Homework:
And a 2.5 hour exam tomorrow, so I'd better go.

Take care, Paul.

[jones]

Paul, I bet you are buzzing with anticipation of the imminent return of you second love!

I wanted to ask a question when doing your inner wheel arches what thickness off aluminium did you use? I want to create some for mine

Thanks in advance, Ian

[Paul L]

Jones - The aluminium sheet I used around the rear wheel arches was 1 mm thick.

And yes, I was definitely looking forward to seeing the car again.

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Return of the Swordfish - Part 1
In preparation for my car's "home coming", I pruned my 'garage' wall…





I was still sweeping up when JY Classics arrived.



Before it reached its final resting place in the driveway I temporarily parked it on the road.
( The Renault Clio behind gives you some idea how low it sits. )



Note: The guy walking away in the photo had previously stopped to say he loved the car.

While the car was sitting level (ish) on the road, I also took some measurements of the front wheel arches.
( To give me a better idea of impact my sloping driveway has on the gaps. )



Currently, there is an inch and a half difference between the gap at the top of the arch on either side.





And this is how the rear wheels currently sit.





Obviously, I couldn't resist taking a "comparison" photo while I was at it.



End of Part 1…

[Paul L]

Return of the Swordfish - Part 2

Context:
The last time I was able to drive my donor car was 21st July 2012.



And until today, I had never actually driven a Sammio in any of its various forms.

Now Mister Towed set a high standard for the dress code for a first drive.



But that was after his first MOT, so I kept it casual today.

Although, I should have put some sunglasses on as it looks like I'm wincing.



But obviously just a photo was never going to be enough to mark this occasion.

So here is a short video clip of a very slow and steady test dive, with me clearly missing reverse at the first attempt.

https://youtu.be/D0GLpSJR68g

Finally, here are a couple of photos of just a few of the jobs that were done to the engine.

An oil pressure sensor has been fitted and the fuel filter given a new home.



Which tidies up the fuel line to the carbs.



At some point I can finally get rid of my wheel "chocks".



As I now have a working hand brake too.



My list of "other stuff" to do means no actual car work today.

But I am really looking forward to working my way through all the remaining jobs required.

Until next time, take care, Paul.

[Psycho pops]

Just great, pleased for you Paul...

[lancelot link]

GENUINELY CHUFFED FOR YOU , PAUL ....

That first drive , even backwards and forwards feels great doesn't it ?

I really applaud your efforts , the challenges I set you in the first place combined with the build environment restrictions ...it really is a quite an achievement you should be very proud of ..

[Mister Towed]

Nearly there now, but what the hell are you going to do with your spare time once you've finished it?

[Roadster]

Well done Paul now this is where I find it hard.
You have to start seeing it as a car again and not that thing you work on in the garden.

As Gary said it may only be forward and backwards but that's enough for you to push on for the MOT

[swifty]

Nice one Paul, i can see the drive having two tram lines worn into the block paving by the end of the week. That has to be a great feeling for you and ive said it before but i take my hat off to you sir what with doing the full build yourself outside.

Next step the MOT, good luck matey.

[micky1mo]

Well done

When do you plan on arranging the MOT?

[reneanglia]

Well done Paul,only on the youtube clip i missed the part where you did a burn-out?

[froggyman]

Well done Paul. It was worth pruning the hedge just to drive it an extra six inches. LOL