I've been plumbing !

With the prospect of having to push the car to her new home soon (it is only 0.4 miles away) I felt brakes would be helpful !

Up until this Saturday none of the short runs of copper line had been fitted, and the flexible lines to the callipers were still to be fitted also.

So I spent an achy Saturday under each corner fitting the pipes, sealing all joints and running pipes to the reservoir. I didn't complete the job as inevitably the last fitting cross threaded, and my flaring tool had broken ! Still, I have found a local company who will make me up the final line cheap, and hope therefore to be able to commission the brakes and hydraulic clutch soon.

The pedal box and pipework look really neat, and I have managed to keep everything in the bulkhead neat and tidy.

Hopefully the combination of an adjustable front/rear brake balance, full discs all round and braided (expensive) flexible lines should mean Nena stops sharply and safely - I will let you know !

Now back to the packing, Jim

All bets are off

For those following this blog you will know that tomorrow (01/08/07) was the deadline for completion of Nena the NOVA.

Well all bets are off, and this is why:

Yep, we are moving ! Just need to complete on the sale of two houses, move all furniture into the new one, and move two engines, one unfinished car and a pile of parts. No problem.

So the new date for Nena's completion is 29th March 2008 (the date of the Volksworld VW Show). As always I have a contingency date in mind - 13th April 2008 (the date of the Detling Kit Car Show).

More updates soon, I think! I have already moved a car load of stuff from the garage into another garage (thanks Gran) and it still looks no better.

Anyone got a flatbed trailer I can borrow ?

Light up, light up

Another week, another set of holes to cut. Also another set of back lights - this is the third set I have bought now, but I am at last happy ! The scary part was getting the holes in the right place - measure twice and cut once as they say! With this bumper having never been cut or fitted I didn't want to get it wrong.


Well, I am really pleased with the outcome - these units are much more modern looking, and with the chrome bezels catch the light really well.

I just need to choose the right number plate light now, and can then complete the cutting.

And yes, I know a new number plate is required, black and silver plates will be ordered this week.

I also got the mounting holes for the bumper sorted today - it is only clamped in place in these pictures, so at least I know it can be bolted up well, once it is painted.

I aim to get the engine in this week as well, as I may be needing to move the car to a new workshop soon (more of that soon), so need to get it mobile.



More soon, and yes I know August 1st is even nearer !


Jim

More bodywork testing, and more changes

Yes I know - August 1st is fast approaching !

Anyway, putting aside the impending deadline I have changed my plans for the rear end. I got a chance to purchase an unused Mk4 rear bumper, so after a long drive to Lancashire and back (in an evening) I am the proud owner of the bumper seen below !

The bumper is just clamped in place here, and you can see it lines up well with little work - once bolted up with a joining trim in place it should look good.

The white paper discs are templates for the lights I had aimed to fit, but I have decided they are a little to large, so am going for some 2.5cm smaller in diameter ! That will be the third set of lights I have bought then !

I now need to mark up and drill mounting holes, adjust the exhaust to line up with the holes and choose a number plate light. It is getting there, honest ........................... Jim

More bodywork testing

Yes that's right, more time has been spent test fitting panels, and then taking them back off again! The side pods haven't been on the car since I bought it, and I have to admit I didn't pay much attention to how they fitted when I removed them.

So, with the sun shining I decided to graze my knuckles, and test fit them.

Much to my surprise they went on well, and the original mounting holes are in good order - I just need extra long arms to get my hands on either side of the mounting lips !

Starting to come together, and looking more like a car at last, more soon, Jim