mdork Posted September 11, 2021 Author Posted September 11, 2021 Steering all sorted now. Was a bit of an RTFM moment as I'd not inserted the upper steering shaft in the correct orientation, causing the binding. All back together and torqued. On to the expansion tank next and then go for my PhD in plumbing
mdork Posted October 4, 2021 Author Posted October 4, 2021 Mega day today - finished plumbing, reinstalled plenum, installed the throttle cable, and got the airbox in. Plumbing is done apart from sorting a ground from the submarine. Seems I'm missing the right nut. My kit was also missing the 5/16" tube to connect the expansion tank breather hose but a trip to local auto parts store got me sorted. Dangerously close to first engine start. Just need to get fluids in, battery acid in + charge, and I should be ready to go. One thing that seemed too easy was the throttle cable. I've read about people needing to bend the pedal quite a bit...mine seemed to fit quite well without any bending. Probably messed it up somehow...we'll find out soon :). Rear fenders are off getting PPF ... terrified to glue the fronts on .... maybe next weekend. I'm determined to finish by the end of the month though I think I've missed the window as far as Seattle weather is concerned. 1
Kitcat Posted October 5, 2021 Posted October 5, 2021 (edited) Speaking of assembling a Se7en, I just read an article on the Lotus 7 history. They were marketed as kit cars to avoid the draconian sales tax on new cars then in place in the UK. The catch was, to qualify for tax exemption, the kitcar had to be sold with out assembly instructions! Chapman complied: every kit came with “diassembly” instuctions, which the buyer followed in reverse order:). Thus launching a tradition of supplying challenging assembly instructions, a tradition that Caterham has proudly continued. Edited October 5, 2021 by Kitcat 1
mdork Posted October 5, 2021 Author Posted October 5, 2021 True innovation! There have been many moments of pure mystery during the build so far. All part of the adventure. Just glad I have Bruce nearby to do a post-build check to make sure I didn't make any egregious mistakes. Will make me feel better about putting my kids in the passenger seat.
mdork Posted October 9, 2021 Author Posted October 9, 2021 Big milestone yesterday - first engine start went beautifully! Learned a few more lessons along the way. Planning to drill the steering wheel today. Possibly tackle the rear fenders as well. IMG_0061.MOV
Pokey Posted October 10, 2021 Posted October 10, 2021 I'll pull the bonnet off of my car to confirm, but I believe the answer is nothing
mdork Posted October 11, 2021 Author Posted October 11, 2021 Bruce confirmed those mystery wires connect to nothing. In other news - got the steering wheel in and adjusted. Couldn’t help but do a very slow lap of my street. She feels eager! Will be away from the car for a bit before The Big Push to complete by end of the month.
KnifeySpoony Posted October 17, 2021 Posted October 17, 2021 Yep, there's another set of unused wires on the left side of the engine near the oil filter as well. I just ziptied em somewhere out of the way. Nice progress. Everything is still fresh in my mind from my build so any other questions, ask away.
mdork Posted October 18, 2021 Author Posted October 18, 2021 Thanks! Targeting build complete in 8 days. Excited to get the last bits completed and off to Bruce for PBC and some final adjustments.
mdork Posted October 23, 2021 Author Posted October 23, 2021 Big day yesterday. Wings are on!! Took some courage to do the fronts but hopefully did ok. Love the new LED lights in the rear but Caterham don’t supply a grommet so will have to harvest one from the supplied set. Got the fuel filler cover and washer bottle in as well. The supplied wiring harness was too short so had to build a little jumper. Will do the repeaters today along with trimming the knee panels to fit. After that it’s off to Bruce before I can do the final few bits. Sadly the weather is horrid this weekend but hopefully will be out for a blat soon!
yellowss7 Posted October 23, 2021 Posted October 23, 2021 Before you install the knee trim panels, if your car didn’t come with them, you should consider getting the fixed nut windscreen brackets. That way if you decide to take the screen off and put a brooklands screen or aero screen in you won’t have to drill out the rivets to get to the nuts. Nice build. BTW. Tom
KnifeySpoony Posted October 23, 2021 Posted October 23, 2021 Or just don't install them at all. I failed to see what benefit they gave so I didn't install them. Seemed it would only make for headaches later.
mdork Posted October 23, 2021 Author Posted October 23, 2021 Too late - they’re in. Of course they didn’t fit at all without trimming but wouldn’t expect anything less. 🤣
mdork Posted October 27, 2021 Author Posted October 27, 2021 While waiting for a few bits needed to install my repeater lights I decided to make some simple protection for the boot skins using a roll of neoprene. May not win any design awards but I’m happy with the result
Anker Posted October 27, 2021 Posted October 27, 2021 Great idea. My back skin has a couple of dents caused by stuff sliding around in the boot!
kayentaskier Posted October 28, 2021 Posted October 28, 2021 looks great, but you're missing the seats
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