Aeroscreen

This is a job I had really been putting off, to be honest, as trying to get the holes lined up seemed to be a daunting task. As it was, it really wasn't that bad.

First three holes made by eye. Actually with a drill,
as I don't have laser beams for eyes, but you know what I mean

Siting the middle three holes was done by eye (as they are not precisely bonded to the underside of the aeroscreen. the front of the aeroscreen ended up being around 20 mm from the front of the scuttle  I actually worked to ensure that the middle screw holding on the perspex screen was more or less directly above the middle dash fixing screw (as this holds the aluminum support bracket - it actually didn't end up directly above, but a little bending of the bracket helped). Drilling the holes oversize helped with locating the aeroscreen. I ensured the front of the aeroscreen was parallel with the front of the scuttle.

I don't know if I was lucky, but the side bolts were easy to locate - I just made sure the front of the aeroscreen overlapped the dash at the sides - I was able to mark where the shortened bolts were touching the scuttle and drilled oversize holes there - no need for slotted holes - the aeroscreen is flexible enough to work the bolts through with a little bending.

view from the cockpit

The only thing I am a little concerned about is the bolts go through the scuttle at an angle - I put large washers on the back prior to tightening the nylock nuts, but I am wondering if there should be some spacers in there to take the load. I am also wondering if there should be a finishing strip to the front of the aeroscreen to stop it chafing, to seal the gap and to make it a little neater - the front of mine is quite rough (I have been on to Westfield about this, we will see what they say).

Finished aeroscreen

. . .abd from the other side

Finally, I fit the wing mirrors. Unfortunately, fitting is a little hit and miss (I was basing the placement on pictures I had taken of the demo car last year at the factory) and after fitting the driver's side, I found that I couldn't get the body of the mirror parallel to the ground (it points up in the air a little). With experimentation, I was able to get the passenger side level by making the front mounting hole a little higher. The driver's side will come off at some point for hole adjustment.

So I went out for a little blat to test the aeroscreen and mirrors. The screen works well, but with the lowered floors, I am sitting too low - I had thought putting the runners in would be sufficient to raise the seats enough, but apparently not. I had omitted the spacers, so I will put them in to see how much of a difference that makes, but I think the seat needs to be at least an inch higher - I found myself peering around it.

I have found the car to be very low, or our driveway very steep. if I don't go out at an angle, the hoop under the gearbox smacks the ground at the top of the driveway - I took a look underneath yesterday and it is already in a very bad way - Fortunately I can raise the ride height by adjusting the springs - perhaps I should do that while it is being used on the road (as opposed to the track). Another job for tomorrow.

Finally. . .

The spacers for the harnesses eyelets arrived by airmail today (but still no swirl pot) so I can fit them tomorrow and hopefully go to the DMV. Fingers crossed! I do still have to wire in the speedo sensor and do something with the mass of wires under the dash, most of which are not used. I could just cut a lot of them out, but I want to keep them just in case I do want to turn Mr. Westfield into a road-going car at some point.

Have been trying to upload the complete time-lapse video but with no luck - watch this space!