The engine is in!!

Bobnic · #1 21st November 2011, 22:09

Managed to wrestle the M3 engine into the chassis this week, took a good few goes, have about 5mm clearance against the bulkhead in places!!! So nice to get the thing off the stand and into the car! Next stage is radiator , and gear lever mounting. Then...................The ELECTRICS!!

Seems happy in there, as am I for it to be there! Hopefully
it wont need to come out again (am I kidding myself??)
Will try and post some piccies soon on my Flickr account.

Could have the engine firing by Christmas (maybe??????)

Rob

peterux · #2 22nd November 2011, 07:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobnic

Managed to wrestle the M3 engine into the chassis this week, took a good few goes, have about 5mm clearance against the bulkhead in places!!! So nice to get the thing off the stand and into the car! Next stage is radiator , and gear lever mounting. Then...................The ELECTRICS!!

Seems happy in there, as am I for it to be there! Hopefully
it wont need to come out again (am I kidding myself??)
Will try and post some piccies soon on my Flickr account.

Could have the engine firing by Christmas (maybe??????)

Rob

Well done, that's a great achievement and a significant milestone in any kitcar build .

We look forward to seeing running by Christmas!!

timbo · #3 22nd November 2011, 08:36

Well done, Rob! As Peter says. getting the engine in (for the first time!!) is very satisfying.

Don't rush the electrics for Xmas; better to get it neat, systematic and organised (eg easy access to key components) if you need to tweak anything later on, if my wiring jungle experience was anything to go by...
Good luck

Tim

GreatOldOne · #4 22nd November 2011, 08:42

To quote other denziens of the interwebs, "This thread is useless without pics."

Well done!

No, really. Pics. Please.

Bobnic · #5 22nd November 2011, 12:27

I knew I would unleash a lot of knowing wink icons when I said before Christmas!!!

Seriously, it's worth setting a goal, but I appreciate that it ain't realistic!! Will endeavour to take some photos soon and post on my Fikr account (been very lax at that!!).

Will try harder....................

Mike · #6 22nd November 2011, 16:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by timbo

Don't rush the electrics for Xmas; better to get it neat, systematic and organised (eg easy access to key components) if you need to tweak anything later on, if my wiring jungle experience was anything to go by...
Good luck

Tim

Tim
What do you mean.................I've had my engine in for 3 years, and still haven't started on the electrics!!!!!

I can't put it off much longer though..................

Mike

Bobnic · #7 22nd November 2011, 19:52

I knew this thread would stir up some 'interesting' posts!! Lol

Dad and I are gonna have a good old look at the spaghetti in the scary black plastic tomorrow and see what we think. I do have a mate who knows a mate who is apparently a 'wizard' with car electrics, so may buy a few cold beers and invite him round for some experienced tips one evening soon.
Don't mind (in fact love) fabrication, assembly, good old fashioned mechanics, but wires??? May have to wimp out boys and 'go for the help' I reckon. Is this cheating??

Will try and get photos uploaded before the weekend of the progress so far, as have for the last 2 months been on dial up internet at home, fixed tonight with the 3rd router I sourced, no idea WTF was wrong, just proves how inept I am at all thing sparky!

Rob

peterux · #8 28th November 2011, 21:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobnic

Will try and get photos uploaded before the weekend of the progress so far, as have for the last 2 months been on dial up internet at home, fixed tonight with the 3rd router I sourced, no idea WTF was wrong, just proves how inept I am at all thing sparky!

Rob

Bobnic · #9 29th November 2011, 18:35

Loving the 'triple' nudge!!

Will really try and get photos on here/Flikr by end of this week. Sportster builders work on a slight delay to schedule (as I'm sure you all know too well!!)

peterux · #10 29th November 2011, 21:02

We all do understand.....

Bobnic · #11 30th November 2011, 12:10

Camera will be out tonight!

Can't remember the best way to upload photos to here, can anyone show the the way the Marlinillo please??? Or do you just use the 'insert image' button? Or is that too easy!!??!!

Gearbox mount made and painted, radiator enroute (bespoke 3 core monster), hope it fits.....dad measure it so blame him I say!

peterux · #12 30th November 2011, 15:53

Posting pictures here from Flickr is quick and easy. Upload your pictures to Flickr first.

In Flickr there is a 'Share button' (above the photo you want to show)
Just select the BBCode option and copy and paste the code into your draft post here. That's all!
You'll have to experiment with the different sizes and you can use the 'Preview Post' button below to see if it works and how it looks, etc

Bobnic · #13 30th November 2011, 21:58

Some photos below. Please be gentle with me, if bits looks wrong then it's best to know, but no mickey taking!!

Lol

New uprights andnd wing stay arrangement form Marlin by Rob and Dad Sportster build, on Flickr

'The gap' between block and bulkhead!! by Rob and Dad Sportster build, on Flickr

Another upright shot by Rob and Dad Sportster build, on Flickr

View fro the diff. Gear lever in(ish), and gearbox bracket installed tonight! by Rob and Dad Sportster build, on Flickr

Dad's adjustable steering column bracket by Rob and Dad Sportster build, on Flickr

View of calipers with spacers in (Marlin supplied spacers) by Rob and Dad Sportster build, on Flickr

Dad's adjustable steering column bracket by Rob and Dad Sportster build, on Flickr

peterux · #14 30th November 2011, 22:03

Looking great, you really have been busy bees!!

Interesting new uprights, wishbones and wing stays as well.

GreatOldOne · #15 30th November 2011, 22:08

Yes - those new uprights look interesting. Wilwood callipers as well, by the look of it. Top wishbone is different as well.

What hub and brake disc is used? The donors?

Bobnic · #16 30th November 2011, 22:27

Hub is donor M3 28mm discs, hence the spacers!! I think we're the first to have this new front end assembly (could be wrong). Took a long time to get the correct setup with the spacers etc.. but all seems fine now, just need to get some pads, next on the list after the rad arrives hopefully by the end of this week. The need to source oil cooler, fan etc. The list is never ending!!

denniswpearce · #17 1st December 2011, 16:54

Don't think the wing stays are different Peter. just viewed from a different angle. The view is foreshortened which I think gives an illusion of being different.

Nice job all round though Rob

peterux · #18 3rd December 2011, 08:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobnic

Another upright shot by Rob and Dad Sportster build, on Flickr

Those uprights look like Racleda now sold by MNR...

http://www.mnrltd.co.uk/p_parts_suspension.htm

I understand that these are significantly lighter than standard car parts so unsprung weight is reduced

Bobnic · #19 3rd December 2011, 08:10

Correct Peter!! Some different parts supplied by Marlin to accept the E36 hub, fit a treat, are pretty light and look really nice on. The wing stays are bolted to the upright assembly, so hopefully no wobbly wing stays here!!

NigelB · #20 3rd December 2011, 12:56

And it looks like Marlin have finally managed to get the right length steering rack.

No extensions required.

It's looking good Rob with some great progress. I wonder if the Willwood calipers provide any better braking performance than the standard E36 units even without the uprated servo.

Nigel