So I'm not that good at record keeping and documenting things, but I thought I'd try to do better on both scores. Ordered my kit May 1, completion date June 22, FFR had it ready a day early so was picked up by Stewart Transport on June 22 and delivered to my house June 23. Mark was my delivery driver and I can't say enough great things about him, his truck maneuvering skills, his fantastic attitude in the upper 90 degree weather here near DC on that day. Mark is really a first class guy and my delivery experience was superb.
Finished inventory Tuesday June 25, and began the build that day. A week later here begins my build entry and update.
Going to try to enter pictures.......we'll see how that goes.
I think I need to create a picture gallery, but I don't have those privileges, I don't think. Can anyone confirm that, or help me get the pictures oriented correctly.
The forum has issues with large pics (by design, to conserve bandwidth). To make sure your pics don't rotate I'd make sure that the long side of the pic doesn't exceed 2000 pixels before uploading. Then your rotation issue should go away.
Week 1 - front suspension (brakes, rotors, calipers, shocks, springs), rear suspension, 3 link (brakes, calipers, shocks, springs, panhard rod), body removed and on buck IMG_2055.jpgIMG_2057.jpg
Week 2 - only one day and now I may be stopped because interior aluminum pieces are all on back order. Harrumph. Anyway did the steering rack and pedal box and pedals, clutch, brake, accelerator. Will see what I can work on in the mean time.
Received cockpit aluminum and put in outside below door panels, and rear tunnel panel and 3/4 rear pieces. Blowing through 1/8 drill bits, but I remember that from my Lotus 7 build long ago. Sharp drills speed the process. Put in the fuel line. Is going to be carbureted and modest HP so single line sufficed. Floors are in and most of the aluminum around the drivers pedals. Some bits are "cleco-ed" in for now. Wheels came so need to buy tires. I mount and balance my own tires so will enjoy that. Waiting on brake line tee fittings to run brake lines.
I'm surprised how cramped the pedal box is. When I ran the Lotus 7 at the track I used wrestling shoes which are much cheaper than fancy race car shoes and may have to do the same here. Had to do some significant accelerator pedal bending to get it to stop hitting the aluminum and flipped the pad/pedal piece so more of it is below the pivot. I think it will work, if not I can work up another approach. Are you guys able to keep the silicone off your hands or do you end up with it all over the rivet tool and every thing else?
So I have an insurance question. It occurred to me that it isn't a moving car and so wouldn't likely be insured as such and probably will fall under home owner's insurance during the present build phase? I'll need to check that and would hate to have it damaged somehow in the garage and not be covered. You guys address that one in your experience.
Anyway tee fittings arrive tomorrow and then onward. Need to make final tire decision too. Probably 235/60r15 front and 275/60r15 rear.
Week 1 - front suspension (brakes, rotors, calipers, shocks, springs), rear suspension, 3 link (brakes, calipers, shocks, springs, panhard rod), body removed and on buck IMG_2055.jpgIMG_2057.jpg
Do the 289’s all come in black gel coat? Looks like you’re making good progress!
Regarding silicone getting on your hands, I use these when working in the garage, they’re tough, chemical resistant and I can even use my phone touch screen with them on;
Finished up wiring and test fit of the gauges in the dash. Lots of wires, will need to pay attention to that. Trunk panels and rear cockpit panel in place. Manual talks next about drive train. Uh oh........mine isn't due until October. I'll likely shift to body work on the buck and try to make progress there. Very enjoyable project. Lots of rivets and very fun. Really well thought out by FFR I think having done a scratch build myself long ago. IMG_2102.jpgIMG_2107.jpgIMG_2108.jpgIMG_2109.jpg
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Originally Posted by FRM
