More Drilling and Riveting

Another day with not much done on the car. Spoke to Westfield this morning (not Mr. Angry this time) to sort out a number of technical questions about the build and they were very helpful. Also compiled a definitive list of missing/damaged components for Manik so that they can try to expedite the process of getting everything for me. We will see, but my patience is wearing a little thin. They did not acknowledge Mr. Angry's e-mails from last week, nor did the e-mail me to tell me what if anything they were sending and when. After I sent them another e-mail (Mr. Slightly Annoyed), they did replay and say that something will go out today. Or tomorrow. Or whenever. They didn't give me any indication of what they would be sending, so I guess they think I like surprises.

The did confirm the bulkhead to pedal measurement for the clutch, which should be about 170mm face-to face. Mine is 190mm, so some cutting is in order - I knew it was too high relative to the accelerator pedal. I will wait until I get the brake master cylinders (hopefully in Westfield's care package), so I can set the height of all pedals at the same time.

Had a number of things to catch up on with a couple of clients and what with reviewing e-mails, that took the morning. In the afternoon, I decided to tackle the less than exciting task of drilling and riveting the two large side panels.

Thank heavens for Cleco fasteners - they helped hold the panels in place while I drilled pilot holes from the inside for the brackets for the roll cage:

was able to drill nice round holes in the right place for the brackets, but then made a mess of them filing out to fit around the weld beads - oh well, it will be hidden by the bodywork.

88 rivets on each side - I counted. Thank heavens for the air riveter again. The car resembles a hedgehog prior to the rivets being set.

Those of you who are observant will have noticed I used silver rivets instead of black - this is because I thought they would all be hidden by the bodywork. Not so, the rearmost rivets can be seen in the wheel wells, so it is out with the black paint. Not a big deal, as I will probably spray inside the arches with black line-X (truck bed liner) for a durable finish.



All the parts fit really well, only minor trimming of panels needed to fit around weld beads etc. A sign of a well-engineered kit.

Nothing else much to do, so I am going to the track for a couple of days. Hopefully there will be a box waiting for me when I return.