Templates

Started stripping down the suspension to allow fitting of the new tub, I have made some templates from my old tub to speed things up. Tried to make the holes tighter than previously.

Replacement Tub

Collected the replacement tub today from Rotherham. 

I'm happy with the new tub and this time it has been made double thickness all the way around. It's also fitted with heat resistant fibreglass and resin down the side where the exhaust will pass through the body. He whole tub is far more sturdy and maybe a little heavier, but a sacrifice that I am more than willing to make for a better quality build.

To help make sure that I don't get any more problems with heat, I have also bought a sheet of DEI gold heat protection to fit to the tub behind the exhaust area.

Slight Setback - Melted Body Tub

Not posted for a while due to a hold up in the build.

Had the engine running and noticed that the body tub around the exhaust area had cracked with the heat. Obviously quite disappointed with this set back, was getting close to getting the car on the road.

Looked closer and found that the tub gel coat was only 1mm thick at the top and 3mm+ thick with heat resistant fibreglass for the bottom 6 inches, would have been logical to have the same thickness from bottom to top. May have been a manufacturing fault but will need to send the tub to he manufacturers for checking. In the meantime I have spoken to MNR to get a replacement made.

Engine Running

Fired the engine and all seems good apart from a slight blow on the exhaust manifold  Attached a video with a walk around of the build so far.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9HDJ7x_V8w