That's good Chris and nice to see.....:)

AndyH

It's coming along slowly, I only get about 6 hrs a week at weekends in the garage, but I have spent ages measuring, checking and getting the rear diff cage suspension brackets etc in the right place.

This weekend I'll test fit the diff and finish up on the back end less the rear tub mounting as I think I've changed my mind and will go with a fibreglass tub.

Then do some more full welding and put it on it's wheels, then I'll do the steering supports and spray the whole frame with u-pol weldthrough zinc primer.

Then see if I can't get it steering on it's wheels.:)

I do spend most of my time trying to figure out how I will organise the garage space at each stage of the build! It's doing my head in!!:mad:

Some recent progress shots....

Whats the secret of your eternal youth Chris?:D :D

Red wine! :)

Looks great!

About the engine mounts. I am going to use the original mounts as you are but am thinking about the angle they sit and the compression of the rubber mounts.

If you weld/bolt them up without the weight of the engine on them will the rubber mounts not be under lateral load instead of compression?

In the mx5 the engine on it's mounts drops into the subframe like a wedge.

I thought I would have to tack them in position then fit the spacer to make sure they compress.

Am I on the right track with this or a complete nutter?

Thanks Dodger, I understand what you're saying. The other mount will have a slot in it, like the mazda subframe, so the engine can settle into place, I measured the angles on the mazda subframe pass side at about 50˚ and the the drivers 60˚. Measuring the distance between the mounts on the mazda subframe should resolve any other worries about lateral loads.

Thats what I planned.

Unfortunately for me my engine sat too high on the standard mounts so have made new ones to lower it 50mm.



Not a great pic I'm afraid.

This of course means the measurements I took from the MX5 won't help as I didn't make them the same as the OE ones :(

I lowered my engine around 40mm and shifted it to the pass. side too. Finished the other mount today. Tomorrow I may put it on wheels and see where I'm at. :)

Looking good Chris!
I'm liking the engine mounts :cool: