G46 No.6 Blackbird

[HouseMartin]

Paul, The soft top is still not done.
I have had to cut and stitch panels myself to make the mx5 cover fit.
When I am happy with the way it looks it will be used as a template for a professional cover.
My trial and error method is not recommended.

Steve, you have done a very profession job on that engine bay and interior.


Tripple Webers no less certainly make a very sexy engine.
You just need a ferrari tessa rossa clear engine bulges to show them off!
How much over 200bhp are you expecting it to put out?



I was very interested to see your frame bracing behind the rear seats.
What you are doing about the seat belt shoulder mounts with the body being so low at that point.
Maybe you have avoided that problem with the flat floor.

I have my battery behind the passenger seat so wondered if you have done the same?
Nice idea to have the external battery connector on the passenger bulkhead.
My method is very crude by comparison although access is easier with two missing humps



I currently have my diff in pieces on the workbench, but no plans for rear disc at present.
Mine had a terrible clunk on taking up drive.
On stripping down, I found that one sun gear dish washer was paper thin and other had completely worn away.
New washers, bearings and swapping shims have enable me to remove loads of backlash.
I still need to take one drive shaft to the garage to get the hub off as I cannot shift it to replace the wheel bearing.

Hopefully, I will also be back on the road in spring.
Ready for that silver paint job.

I look forward to some pictures of your dash

[SteveD]

I reckon to be around 250hp with the engine spec.
I have full harness belts so shoulder straps are mounted to the rear cross member where the floor lifts up to boot level.
Battery is in the box visible in the rear bulkhead jpg.
Couple more pictures attached.
I have a genuine Reliant puller for rear hubs, if you are not too far from South Leicestershire maybe I can assist with the driveshaft.
Steve

[Paul L]

A build thread with two G46s for the price of one!

Hope you are both back on the road by the time the Summer arrives.

Good luck, Paul.

[HouseMartin]

Originally Posted by HouseMartin

Hopefully, I will also be back on the road in spring.

Well the Axle is back together.
Today was a glorious evening, so without a wash or dust I got the old girl ready for a spin.
The battery required a charge and the clutch fluid needed a top up.
The engine was running rough until I discovered the blanked off vacuum hose had perished so that was replaced.
Anyway that got me out of the garage.


The still incomplete soft top was removed with a couple of bolts and it was off out for a spin.
Unfortunately I forgot my camera so only photos are down the lane.




Surprisingly the washer jets and windscreen wipers still worked as I managed to wet my head in the process of getting a clear view of the road through the front screen.


The roads were quiet and I just enjoyed accelerating out of the corners and playing with the overdrive, listening to the change in engine note of essex V6.
Not far just 20 miles on a circular tour so not too far for home on the first run.
There seems to be a front wheel noise on fast right hand corner so I will check the bearings and suspension bolts later.

Such a big bottomed girl.


I am looking forward to taking her on some big trips next month to see some friends and relatives.
HM

[Paul L]

HouseMartin - Great to see you back out on the road again.

Let's hope the weather finally starts warming up soon.

Cheers, Paul.

[SteveD]

Mine is now almost complete, just the headlamp covers to make.
Have done around 300 miles and shown it at small meet locally.

[SteveD]

My G46 is now finished and in use, around 500 miles so far. Have taken it to a couple of shows, much interest generated.

[peterux]

Originally Posted by SteveD

My G46 is now finished and in use, around 500 miles so far. Have taken it to a couple of shows, much interest generated.

That looks stunning, well done you must be very pleased

[HouseMartin]

Autumn 2021 and still some lovely sunny days for some country lane driving.
Note: Photos attached at bottom as not displaying correctly for non-members


Visiting some castles



As you can see no paint job just some white primer to play with colour designs.

This is the Gary "Orca" look with the new indicator position thanks to SteveD



Not the best light for side on shots and my masking tape skills are not the best, but then there are so many compound curves.


I had a great drive with the engine roaring and wind whistling along some empty roads, until I reached the villages full of half term tourist who I suspect were scratching their heads to identify it.


However I cannot say I have pushed it enough to get any under-steer or over-steer around the bends, but maybe better that way.

So here is my final picture for this year as I drive off into the sunset.


HM