Have now blagged a complete sierra rear axel set up! I was about to do a deal for £100 when one fell into my lap for free! Now thats my kind of price!!

Still searching for a CVH 1.8/1.6 engine, just got to find one in my price range ie. FREE :D

More bits

Have now collected a 1.8 pinto, carb and a rear frame for an ally tub.

I have scrounged an engine crane to help me get the DOHC out of the van! Its been sat there for about a month, all that extra weight behind the back axel of a fwd transit makes the handling errrrr.... interesting :)

I have an oil catch tank made by an engineer at TWR now, a mighty fine piece of engineering it is too!

Brake balance bar and adjuster (not IVA friendly I know, but it can always go on later :D )

I am thinking I may offload the DOHC and pinto in favour of a complete CVH set up (as thats the loom I have)

decisions decisions

Engine

Well, as I am on a VERY tight budget the collecting of parts is taking its time.

I now have a full engine loom, 99p from Ebay, an engine (2.0DOHC), MT75 gearbox, Steering column. and a few other sundries.

My chassis welding has been put on hold due to work commitments, when your self employed you gotta work when you can!

Have just picked up a tow bar for my transit so I will be able to transport the project in the future.

Costs so far are approaching the £250 mark....... I'm a Yorkshire lad afterall...... ;-p

I may be losing my garage though :( The Mrs wants to convert it into a playroom for the kids. This could be a major setback on the build!!

Nothing New

Well, haven't done anything except shop around for gas prices, larger bottles etc.

Just ordered some 0.8 wire and tips for the welder I have borrowed.

Have had a fantastic offer of welding lessons from a guy on the Haynes forums, I intend to take him up on it when my work load and poorly baby take a bit less of my time!

I think my 4 year projection is currently about right for my build.

Forgot to mention, I have done my base drawing on the board, seems I needed to use a thinner pen/pencil, I think it will all square up as I build, or thats the plan anyway!!

Been thinking a loooooong way ahead at colours and trim etc, I think I will go dark blue for the grp parts, ali tub and rear end.

Toying with the idea of projector lights, but that will go against my budget idea! Also not sure what seats to get, probably get second hand of whatever is on ebay at the time...... back to the washing up

bye.

Well, Spent an hour trying to drag what I learnt at college 18 years ago back out of my alcohol and fume affected brain!

Wasn't too happy with my first few attempts. so went on mig welding forum for a bit of a read :)

And hey presto... upped the wire speed and bingo, some semblance of penetration to the weld and bish bash bosh.... stuff stuck together!

Maybe shouldn't mention to the wife that I nearly set fire to my build table though eh?

OK, onwards and upwards. Time to decide wether to buy steel and cut myself or get a flat pack kit. Leaning towards the latter currently, but I will have to sell a few more bits and bobs on ebay..... stay still child, I need to stick a price label on you..........

Well, quick update!

Have borrowed a welder :) which came with free suspension for my roadster, A diff, a brake bias valve and a few bit and bobs.

Picked up some gas today (Argon-Co2) and some scrap to practice on.... going to make a BBQ stand this evening, Baby permitting!