The start of my van's body build

[Steve Bryant]

Hi Austin. My bulkhead is tight against the back of the engine but luckily the column will just fit. Perhaps the dimensions given in the instructions are a shade longer than original. I bought the kit in the 80's as I recall. Since there wasn't really any alternative it's all good....just a bit frustrating at times.

[Steve Bryant]

Speaking of bulkheads I have to drill all the holes for the wire that is threaded through the rubber edge seal that goes around it. Can anyone tell me the distance between the holes?


  holes for rubber seal retaining wire.jpg (Size: 104.35 KB / Downloads: 626)

Thanks,
Stephen

[Duncan Grimmond]

Looks like 3" to me, that was the dimension I used on the cars I re-built. I found that Austin seemed to have a habit of using whole numbers with sensible 1/2" and 1/4" etc. where possible but I may be mistaken in thinking it was deliberate policy?

[Steve Bryant]

I had a productive day yesterday.
It took ages to get all the bits in place to ensure that the bolt holes for the windshield pillars were drilled in the right place. Packing was used wherever the scuttle skin would be so that the fit will be good. The pillars had to be massaged to get the fit right as a couple of things were not that accurate. I had to build up the wedge that compensated  for the car's taper of the forward body as the upper windshield shafts were about 5 degrees or so out of line. The bolts holes were not that parallel to each other either but some adjustment with a round file sorted that out eventually.

   

   

   

I'm pleased to say that the pillars are now on, square and straight. Proper alignment of the dash assembly using the measurements that ad7man gave me was the key - Thank you Ian.

One of the last puzzles to sort out is the Steering Column clamp which has two slotted holes where it bolts to the underside of the dash. The bolt for the fuel tank occupies a hole in between where the two slots of the clamp goes. There is no third hole or slot for this in the clamp.

   

Any ideas anyone?

Cheers,
Stephen

[Steve Bryant]

January 14 2023
Finally got the top windscreen frame in place so I can measure the distance between the centers of the locating pins on the top of each pillar so I can drill the two locating holes that I have to drill in the wooden screen rail that sits on them.

I fitted the top screen frame first to ensure that the fit was correct:

   

John Heath had marked out the hole centers on the wood rail and I was pleased that my actual centers were only a 1/16th of an inch out from his. I measured the distance carefully to make sure all was correct.

   

And for you Lotus fans, a pic of the Seven's companion.

   

The build is progressing nicely.
Cheers,
Stephen

[Ivor Hawkins]

I for one appreciate the shot of the Lotus, I forget how many I have had in bits/repaired/repainted over the years, I’d have another today, but I think I’d do myself an injury getting in and out these days!

[Stuart Giles]

Excellent work on the van.

Is that a Judson blower on the MGA's motor? They're not common 'over here' saw a similar blower setup on a VW Beetle years ago.

[Steve Bryant]

Thank you Stuart.

Yes it is a Judson supercharger which in this case is for the MGA. They used the same unit only in different lengths for the likes of Renault, VW, BMC A and B series, Triumph etc, all with a total loss lubricator. The lubrication oil is Marvel Mystery Oil which is the same as Redex as far as I can tell.
Cheers,
Stephen

[Howard Wright]

Hi Steve

I am very much enjoying your van build. Thank you for taking the time to post the excellent photos.

With regard to the steering column clamp, I seem to recall that on my RK the fuel tank support uses the same hole as the left hand one on the steering clamp.  Could there be some discrepancy with the position of the tank or the mounting holes on the dash?

Cheers

Howard

[Steve Bryant]

Thank you Howard.  I'll check to see if my tank will allow me to do this. I have an Idea that should work if it doesn't.
Stephen