Can anyone see a reason why I shouldn't fix the front panel in place on with steel rivets rather than spot welds. Would make fitting the intercooler and future work much easier.

Judging by the 12 spot welds across the top and 3 along the bottom the panel is just decorative anyway.

JP
 

Thanks guys,

spent a bit more time up there, got it up on 'blocks' so I can dummy build it
front suspension nearly all together have new sway bar brackets to suit comp strut sway bar which mounts the bar further back. need longer drop links too as the front arms are so wide

fitted the brake reservoirs and that all works great, good access below to screw in the flexible lines.
dropped engine in alone, couldn't get engine and gearbox in in one go even without the front panels

\
and now for the tough question.
Does this arrangement look like a bad idea...especially if the oil cooler is between the intercooler and radiator?

Going to have 90 degree bends welded onto the intercooler to minimise rubber stuff
I can get it all to fit with minimal cutting if I mount it all this way. failing that its finding a place for the oil cooler? under the front arch or behind the crossmember cool side? or radical cut to passenger floor to scollop an underfloor duct and mount it there!

JP

 I made some big holes today



and some infilling. I joggled the edge of the hole to get a nice flush finish. Should I spot weld every 20mm or spot weld and fully seam?




JP

The coolers and radiator look reasonable but what fans you going to run, and how, also how hot is it going to get? I was pondering the same on the Cortina

Ive resigned myself to a bigger wider, taller deeper radiator and cut the new steel panels to suit.
will be using an engine side fan (pull)
 
JP

8 weeks and twice the money for a guess at a working radiator from PWR and or ADRAD had me on the PC last week
3 days later this arrived nicely packed and appropriately priced and proven to work and fit...Oh and half the price of the locals


also my favorite photo of the week

and welded the arches on after joggling the original arch so have a nice flush panel joint to finsh!

also machined 15mm of the back of the rear wheel centers to fit! +40 offset

JP
hopefully have the front panel in this weekend after trimming to suit new alloy goodness and then onto paint

jp

It has a face

and a radiator/intercooler combo which fits

its a big hole

and I like this photo

cardboard header tank and overflow in one

JP

Coming along well mate, nice

thanks buz440
subazuki now running time to turn back to the escort
before

during

after

all major welding is done...i think.
JP

So nothing like a bit of pressure.
90% chance of returning to the UK in September...so car has to be finished, and stored before September 10!
seem to recall doing the same last time. fool!
so why not spend the previous weekend in Melbourne for 4 days and mothers day at the zoo with my 13 month old and her mother!
but I got 4 hours done on Saturday after dads play group...oh **** im ****ed!
Managed to fill this hole as a recess for the seat front corner as its moved across towards the centre a fair bit



and then made these infill parts for left and right

and stripped too much filler from this part...and hey presto it actually does have a crease above the sill which is firstly straight, parallel and secondly sharp...unlike it did before. the Fiber arches over the top of steel meant the filler on this corner was thick and obviously erroneous.

Also having a custom header tank and swirl pot welded up as I type so another piece of the puzzle sorted.
Only a few small parts to make and weld on then paint process. I might farm the rear arch blending out to a professional as I still have to finish the kitchen renovations too!!!
Dumbass.
JP