WOW!!!!! Small world! I have been following this build for a while. I saw Sidney, IL mentioned....quite a surprise. I live in Sidney. I'll have to drop by to check things out, and help out if needed. Tom Jenkins
You'll always be welcome Tom. Now this raises a question since we just completed the work weekend, and there was a local guy named Tom who showed up and was a big help on the build. Same guy or someone else? There are photos on this link: http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?2,166,page=42 along with a progress report from Pete. To recap a bit I'm posting below my comments cut and pasted from the last page of that thread: Well guys, I think if there was any question in anyone's mind about the wisdom of moving the project we've just dispelled them. The project has moved along quite smoothly and we've made progress in directions we wouldn't have had it stayed here. A case in point, it turned out that Pete had that brand-new in-the-box pull cylinder that we needed lying on the shelf waiting for an application and he didn't seem to mind donating it to the car. So not only was the cost of buying it avoided but the time spent acquiring it was avoided as well. And it turned out that his feeling that an external slave cylinder would fit and work was well founded. Some judicious trimming of the release arm and very slight bumping of the tunnel and we had a good 3/4" of clearance. (There is an existing bulge in the tunnel, we simply smoothed the rear edge of it.) The hardened release arm was near impossible to drill for the pivot bolt to the slave but it turns out that Pete has quite a skilled hand with the plasma cutter and with the hole at near finished size and shape a simple clean up had it in good condition. Anyhow, these guys really worked on the car, but there was quite a bit of joking and tomfoolery going on as well and a more congenial and agreeable environment you'd be hard pressed to find. We did take a break for an extended executive power lunch at the local bar and grill. Some of us might have thought at the time that those were wasted hours but with such an almost extravagant rest break we were well able to work into the evening, when Rick showed up with a much welcomed pair of extra large pizzas. Steve, Dave, Tom, and the guys were meticulous in their preparation of the braking system, even going so far as to consult with Bill Guzman over the phone to insure that everything in the braking system is as it should be. Turns out that the flex lines are a bit short but that is the last piece of the puzzle and all else is in readiness. We have a few fittings to acquire for the clutch lines (pressure and bleed) as well, but those are very minor issues which we can square away next time around. Speaking of which, we'd like to see some more new faces at the build, so sign up now! As mentioned, we made some decisions, one of which was the radiator, which was ordered from Summit and will be arriving at Rick's house on Tuesday. With that we will finalize the front support, bumper mounts and grille attachment. This weekend we simply moved the doglegs forward where Pete securely welded them into place. So personally I really didn't do much other than make suggestions but I feel those were valuable as well. Rick's able assistance in that area helped assure that all was in order. The "new guys", Tom, Dik, and Jim (last name started with "V" if I recall correctly) were immensely helpful in too many ways to recount. In the end, we rolled the car out, much closer to being roadworthy than it was before and quite satisfied with our efforts. Another weekend like that, maybe two, and some time spent tuning and we'll be very close to ready for the meet. The one thing that needs to be settled however is the matter of the rear flares. I was a bit surprised to see that photo of the Sebring fender on the car, hadn't realized Pete had the photo to post. But doesn't the car look GREAT?!! Is it just me, or is that exactly in keeping with the character of the build? Already being at the point of glass fenders it really isn't much of a stretch from there to Sebring but look at how much better it matches with the wheels and what an aggressive stance it gives the car! If we could do something comparable at the rear the end result will be something that every single adolescent boy with an ounce of red blood in his veins is going to simply drool over! Much as we may have graduated to a more moderate approach, don't forget that this audience is who we want to reach with our message about the synergies of big American engines and little British sports cars. If you like this look please let us know. So many surprise benefits have come out way in this build that this should certainly be thought of as a possibility. Of course matching the rear to that should be a priority, and I for one just wonder if there's any chance that someone like Bill G with his newly acquired skills on the wheel might come up with something for us. Jim
Jim, No, that wasn't me. I was the one sitting at home....about a mile away, who forgot which weekend you were up here. Sorry to miss the action. Looks like you guys got a lot accomplished. Tom
We did Tom and sorry we missed you. Feel free to stop by and visit Pete though between now and our next work weekend. He will be headed over to UK this week but should be back in a couple weeks and will give you a warm welcome. Do you need directions? Jim
Wow, no replies to that question at all. You guys call yourselves hot rodders? Can't see it myself. Well nevermind that. I just wanted to let you all know that we have another work weekend scheduled for Jan 16th,17th again at Mantell Motorsports in Sydney, Ill. Anyone is welcome. Hear that Tom? We have the new radiator to mount, the seats to install and other odds and ends to square away but we should be able to drive it. Rick Ingram (who has posted on this thread) solicited a set of custom seat covers from Mr. Mike's as a donation and has reupholstered a set of Fiero seats that he had on hand, and is now doing the final prep work to install them in the car. They really look good too. I know we will need to get the carb set up properly Jim W, if you're reading this, do you suppose you might assist us in some way on that? Right now my impression is that it's running rich in the midrange. That's the update for today. The summer BritishV8 meet is July 8-10 at Indy so that's our deadline. Our goal is to have it street legal, licensed, insured, and driveable. Jim B
Wow, no replies to that question at all. You guys call yourselves hot rodders? Can't see it myself. maybe it would help if you told me what it was? looks to me like some kind of morse code device.....
Didn't see this question before today but here's my guess. I don't recall the name of the thing but it used to be used to change alternating current to DC? o No:
welp, Jim. looks to me like you should do a "Liars Club" poll, asking what your box is. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liars_club
OK then a hint. It was a necessary part, and used by hot rodders for a different purpose. still not very helpful. i'm guessing we're dealing with that notorious English automotive electrical design firm, "The Prince of Darkness"? :laugh: in that case, there's no telling what they thought it was supposed to be for.
OT: ( to our Liars Club dissertation, anyways ) Jim, could you ask the boys over at Britishv8 if they have the distance between the front intake bolts on the various Rover deck heights? i'm thinking they should have all that stuff. more on topic, it was "Lucas, Prince of Darkness" wasn't it?
FINALLY, someone who gets it. But Alan, do you know what the box is? Bob I'll go out and measure the 340 and the 215 for you but I don't like the cold so I can't say for sure when I'll do it. Jim
It's a model-T coil! also makes a great tool for pranks, not-so-funny if the victim has a bad heart though.
