Chris's new build of an MX5 based car

[CTWV50]

So came out of hibernation early yesterday afternoon. Cleared out the garage rolled the car out and finished the steering column. Managed to get a straight run from column to rack without any clearance issues.

[CTWV50]

[ayjay]

I am not sure a straight run from column to rack is a good thing. I think its a safety issue

[CTWV50]

Originally Posted by ayjay

I am not sure a straight run from column to rack is a good thing. I think its a safety issue

Yes I thought that, but as I understand it if your using a modern column and it has safety features like being collapsable then that's fine. Quite clearly you don't want a solid rod of steel pointing at your bollocks so I've used 1mm walled steel tube and left a gap inside the tube between the upper mx5 shaft and lower escort shaft so it will hopefully buckle under impact.

I hope the above sounds sensible unless someone know otherwise, please let me know.

If you don't have a saftey column then the SVA want to see an indirect linkage of 3 or more UJs I think.

[Dualist]

Originally Posted by CTWV50

Quite clearly you don't want a solid rod of steel pointing at your bollocks so I've used 1mm walled steel tube and left a gap inside the tube between the upper mx5 shaft and lower escort shaft so it will hopefully buckle under impact.

I would still put another UJ in there if it was pointing at my nuts, 1mm tube still hurts especially if it's traveling in a straight line. Looking good though and glad to see you got back to work on it.

[Johno]

Hi Chris,
Good to see you're back at it
I look forward to seeing more photos soon.

[CTWV50]

Cheers guys. I'm pretty sure my plums are safe! :-)

[CTWV50]

I've been quite busy of late. check out my new flickr photostream. I've decided to make some headway towards starting the engine so unfortunately this means I have to finish some of the jobs I've started.

So I've sorted the cooling system with mostly new pipes but still need to get a plug for the rads original coolant temp sensor hole. Other than that it's just a few jubilee clips and a metal hose support away from testing.



Also made headway towards a usable tank. Managed to rotate the sender unit with a neat little triangular bracket made from some galvanised steel from the garage door. And bent the sender float wire so it sit neatly just above the fuel pump. But when this tank says empty it definitely is empty!! No guesswork involved, ok there will be about a litre in the sump but that's it! I've then cut the metal plates from the top of the mazda's fuel tank, cleaned them all up and used J B Weld to fix and seal them to the top of the tank. I have also used the mx5 breather system as it seemed silly not to, but I don't think I'll be using the carbon can as it's just more plumbing for no real gain other than EU emission regulations I think.



Hope to get the tank attached to the car this weekend and also finish the cooling bits and bobs. Might have to start/finish that gearbox mount I've been putting off because I can't make up my mind what to do, Hmmm!