lg2k Posted February 12, 2022 Share Posted February 12, 2022 Here is how I ran my fuel lines. I don't think the brackets are in your way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanM Posted February 13, 2022 Author Share Posted February 13, 2022 @lg2k Thanks for the photos. This gives me a better idea of where things go and what the clearances are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanM Posted February 13, 2022 Author Share Posted February 13, 2022 Panel Install This afternoon I made a brief start on the footwell panels. I started by removing the protective film, "de-gooing" and then rechecked each one for fit. Some of them still had a bit of de-burring to do, so I took care of that before opening my amazon package of Sikaflex 221. I'll use this instead of the multipurpose silicone sealant provided in the kit. First panels on were the footwell firewalls. I know, I know, I should invest in a pneumatic rivet gun......... The last panel of the day was the PS floor. Things I learned from my first 2 hours of panel install. 1. Sikaflex. amazing stuff, but no matter how careful you are and how much attention you pay, this S**t gets everywhere. I also found it hard to squeeze out. Perhaps the hole was a bit too small!? 2. How to pull apart, clear and re-assemble a rivet gun that has just chewed up the mandrel on the second rivet you have ever installed. 3. I will have hands and arms like Samson by the end of this!! 4. Did I mention how Sikaflex gets everywhere.......i'm still cleaning the orange strap on my watch! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted February 13, 2022 Share Posted February 13, 2022 Hard to squeeze out the Silkaflex? Maybe its the cold temperature of your work room/garage? Just speculating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MPG Posted February 13, 2022 Share Posted February 13, 2022 I used acetone to clean up the sikaflex messes. Didn't realize how awful acetone fumes are. Felt like I had the worst hangover the next day. Make sure you've got good ventilation if you're using it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanM Posted February 13, 2022 Author Share Posted February 13, 2022 @MPG Yeah!! That was lesson number 5!!! I had to open the garage door before locking up for the night, the fumes were intense!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanM Posted February 13, 2022 Author Share Posted February 13, 2022 A couple more panels today and more mess as I squeezed in to the engine bay to do one of the tunnel foot panels. This time I opened up the nozzle a bit more and preheated the Sikaflex over one of our floor vents (Thanks for the tip @Kitcat). I still found it hard work but definitely easier than yesterday. Another thing I learned today is that about 18 hours after applying the Sikaflex it is strong enough to hold and pull away from the rivet heads and panel. From now on I won't be in such a rush the wipe of the over spill, I'll let it cure a little and then clean up without the stickiness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosteri Posted February 13, 2022 Share Posted February 13, 2022 When Sikaflex reaches the end of its shelf life, it becomes very hard to press out. What is the best before date on the tube? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanM Posted February 13, 2022 Author Share Posted February 13, 2022 @RosteriI think you have hit the mark.....It says best before 31 March 2022!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanM Posted February 14, 2022 Author Share Posted February 14, 2022 Ooh! a package!!! I love getting goodies in the mail!! My Schroth Westfield harnesses have arrived. I figured there would be a long lead time for these due to the low volumes and the Pandemic so I placed the order in August 2021. Happy Days! Perry Auto Laval (Montreal) is my nearest Schroth distributor and they were great to deal with! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanM Posted March 9, 2022 Author Share Posted March 9, 2022 So it's been a few weeks since my last update. I'd like to say that I made a lot of progress, but as many of you have experienced yourselves, "real life" has got in the way of quality garage time. First there was the trucker protest in Ottawa which put a real downer on things, then the family came down with a touch of the Omicron, followed by general fatigue from everything the the winter has thrown at us this year. It's been a real "F'er". I made a deal with myself that garage time was for when I was feeling a good vibe. I didn't want any negative memories associated with my build. So what have I done..... Well, I spent some time tidying up the dodgy powder coat patches and then filling in some of the floor pan joints with sealant (Thanks @BobMet, I got the idea from your thread 🍻). Next, I spent some time on the pedal box modification. I talked a bit about this in my "Tech Talk" thread and finally got around to doing something. As you know I had an issue with my handbrake bracket and had to have a new one welded on. Well, by coincidence my welder also owned a metal signage company and was equipped with CNC cutting machines and the like. He was able to fabricate and tack on a new faceplate for my pedal box to the Flyin' Miata spec for a very reasonable price. Here's the before... After.... Painted (With Rustoleum Universal All Surface Paint - Satin black and reassembled Finally, I made a start on the fuel lines..... but that's a story for another day!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted March 9, 2022 Share Posted March 9, 2022 Lots of build threads now and I love them all, including this one. Especially the “ build vibe” concept! You have had your challenges: weather, Omicron, truckers. Then factor in that Westfield seems to throw some built in serious curve ballls at its buyers. Seemingly, much more challenging than the oddball issues Caterham bakes into its build formula. Glad to see you rolling with the punches! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MPG Posted March 9, 2022 Share Posted March 9, 2022 Quote He was able to fabricate and tack on a new faceplate for my pedal box to the Flyin' Miata spec for a very reasonable price. That looks great. Nice job! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanM Posted March 9, 2022 Author Share Posted March 9, 2022 Thanks for the complements gents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted March 9, 2022 Share Posted March 9, 2022 I've been enjoying following this journey and agree with Kitcat that all the new build threads have been great. We need more! -John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanM Posted March 21, 2022 Author Share Posted March 21, 2022 (edited) Fuel Lines Not much to report again this week, we decided to book a last minute winter getaway to Mexico for some winter sun. OMG it felt so good to have some warmth for a change! In my last post I had started to run the fuel lines lines on the chassis. Running and bending lines is completely new to me so I have been really taking my time (Perhaps too much) to get them neat. I bought this pipe bender at Canadian Tire and it seems to be working great so far. I also had to try and figure out how and where I was going to terminate them at the rear to compensate for the new brackets that Westfield have introduced to the SDV chassis. I the end, the decision was made for me when I tried to put two bends too close together and the pipe broke....I quite liked the way it turned out so I cut the other pipe short as well....I like symmetry! I still have a few clips to add but at least its a start. Edited March 21, 2022 by DanM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanM Posted March 21, 2022 Author Share Posted March 21, 2022 What else is new?... Well, in the fall when I was inspecting my engine, I noticed a fair amount of exhaust valve burn. Instead of replacing the valves with stock I decided to upgrade to some Supertech high performance valves and springs from Fab9 tuning in Michigan. After months of waiting they finally came through! Happy Days, I can now reassemble the engine and claim back some valuable real estate in the garage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastg Posted March 21, 2022 Share Posted March 21, 2022 I am not quite sure about the chassis orientation in your pictures. Correct me if I am wrong. If I am not mistaken the fuel lines run along the bottom of the floor before they turn up into the engine bay? Is that correct, that is very exposed position, stones, rocks, curbs could easily damage the lines. Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanM Posted March 21, 2022 Author Share Posted March 21, 2022 @fastg Hey Graham, I thought that too initially, but all the Westfields seem to have the same routing. They are certainly exposed to stones etc., but anything bigger like a curbs would have taken out the oil pan long before the lines! lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted March 21, 2022 Share Posted March 21, 2022 My Westfield has the hard lines running through the transmission tunnel. Much older car, but it is odd they moved them to that position. I wonder if that is a result of the Miata transmission which is wider than the Type-9? -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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