a bit of this and a bit of that.

[mygasser]

today we made the bulkhead panel and welded it in place with just a small hole for the 'new' column to poke through as planned. the new intermediate shaft and uj's were then bolted in place. we noticed a couple of pin holes on the floor so we decided they'd be much easier to repair while inside the car. that then made the decision to add the mounting tabs between the column and bulkhead while we're in there rather than struggling up on steps through the half open door gap. once down on it's wheels we can roll it forward clear of the ramp to get the door wide open, it'll be much easier to work in there then. sooooo.... we looked at what else we could get done today and thought ''we'll hang the front wings so they're out of the way''. first though we fitted the n/s nutserts to the new inner wing. we then drilled the o/s ones out and replaced them with the new ones that are 'ribbed' where they pinch onto the panel unlike the old ones which were smooth. the ribbed ones won't work loose and turn if the wing ever has to come off again. last job today then was bolting the wings in place.
neil.

[mygasser]

on the basis that my 390 crank' needs a regrind i thought it sensible to buy new big end and main bearings. yes i know it should be ground first then order bearings to suit but as i could get both ends and mains on ebay (nos) for less than just the mains from real steel and they're both .020" i think i'll be fine.
neil.

[mygasser]

today we welded tabs to the column and new bulkhead panel to allow the lower column to be attached securely. then we cleaned up and cut out and cu tout any soft bits of floor left. 2 plates n/s and 3 o/s so not much really. that's about it for now on this one, it's coming back for exhausts once it's been painted and the engine/box fitted back in.
neil.

[jsf55]

Nicely done

[mygasser]

after tidying the garage today we put the magnum axle up on the bench to start mocking up parts for the disc conversion. the discs fit perfectly which was a good start. the calipers look like they'll need to hang under the disc to get the handbrake cables pointing in a sensible direction but they won't care where they are, lol. it all came to a stop when we found the pads were wrong, doh! so we'll be ordering the other much less common type. it is what it is and won't stop us getting on with mounting the calipers to the axle though, it's just a nuisance.
neil.

[mygasser]

oh and i almost forgot we've got to pop over to a mates house friday to chop his steel model A truck for him. i'll take the camera, lol.
neil.

[mygasser]

today we got some more done on the rear disc conversion. we first made a pair of ally shims to go where the drum backplates used to go between the axle ends and bearing retainer plates (see pic). then we slid a caliper carrier over the disc on some soft ally strips to keep it central. then with the caliper bolted to the carrier and in the rotationally correct position we made a card template. these are now partially cut from 10mm steel plate with their holes all drilled. more tomorrow?
neil.

[Happydaze]

Workmate has seen some use!

Chris

[mygasser]

Workmate has seen some use!

Chris

it has Chris, poor old thing. it often has a table top with a 3x2 screwed to it clamped to it giving much more useable work space but with the ability to still go flat out of the way.
neil.

[mygasser]

we got the top chopped on the A truck yesterday. luckily for you boys and girls when i tried my mates mig welder it was sh1tty enough i said ''we'll come back with my welder next week or it'll look a dog's dinner''. the lucky part was because (as expected) i forgot my camera so all you'll have missed when i finally add pics is one of it 'pre cut'. anyway tomorrow we'll get back on the viva rear disc conversion, then monday we have to assist moving an already rodded mid 60's minx convertible, yes a real factory convertible. followed by collecting my mk2 zodiac.... finally.
busy, busy, busy.
neil.

[mygasser]

busy day today, we finished the viva magnum rear disc conversion.
once the paint's dry on the brackets we can assemble both sides ready for collection.
neil.

[jsf55]

Nicely done

[mygasser]

Nicely done

thanks john

[mygasser]

well the zephyr's off home saturday morning. the wolseley's being dropped off on monday and the viva axle belongs to a mate of his so he'll take it back with him then which is handy. he's also bringing the rover v8 and 5 speed here when he collects his wolseley which gives me the engine and box i need for the mk2 zodiac. it's all happening here, lol.
neil.

[jsf55]

How organised is that !!

[mygasser]

How organised is that !!

not quite 'that' organised .
the wolselely is now arriving tomorrow, luckily a couple of hours after the zephyr leaves so there'll be time for a good tidy up and sweep through.
neil.

[mygasser]

so the zephyr's gone, the axle's gone and the wolseley's in the garage. we'll roll it as far forward as it'll go so we can wheel the run stand out away from the lathe and get it finished so we can finally see what this 360 engine is like. once we know (either way) we can put the engine back on a small dolly and take the run stand apart to give us a big lump of extra room.
if it runs well we can get it stabbed into ashley's zephyr asap to get even more room.
neil.