Dadson Racing: 2010 Revival

[Grandad]

I just checked the photobucket links on the pics, they're the same as I've used previously so I don't think the problem is this end.

 

Cheers

Dad

[Whittie]

It's working again now. Probably a photobucket issue

[Riceburner]

Nice! The interior looks fantastic, love the all black with the blue cage. Which way did you cut the 1/4 window trim, I can't see the cut. I have a similar issue with clearance.

 

Do you guys have to run the new cams fire proof roll cage padding?

[Grandad]

Nice! The interior looks fantastic, love the all black with the blue cage. Which way did you cut the 1/4 window trim, I can't see the cut. I have a similar issue with clearance.

 

Hi Gareth, thanks for your comments it's good to see you're enjoying watching Whittie's car evolve, with regard to the rear quarter window trim if you scroll up a few posts you'll see them one piece covered in cat fur has the speaker holes the other is beside the roof panel.

 

Do you guys have to run the new cams fire proof roll cage padding?

 

We've been out of the competition loop for almost three years now so I don't know the answer to that one I've simply reused the foam tube that was on the car previously but if it turns out we need to up-grade to the new spec material we will.

 

Cheers

Dad

[Grandad]

 

 

H All

 

I suffered a brain fade attack today but I'm going to blame what happened on "Murphy". 

 

I went out this morning to collect the door cards from the trimmer and get some hose clamps plus a few assorted clips, plugs and bolts, the door cards that were due to be ready for collection yesterday haven't been looked at yet but I was assured they will be done before close of business for the Christmas break which starts at 11.30 tomorrow...Time will tell I guess.

 

With that out of the way I decided that a good project for today would be to fit the Webers, I figured that should only take about half an hour or so (Irish intervention excluded), how could it possibly take any longer, I already have the carbies with filters attached mounted on the manifold, I lined them up and secured them in place with a couple of the top bolts but sadly I quickly realized I couldn't get to the bottom studs so decided to remove the carbies from the manifold which gave me access to everything and soon all was secured and yes for those with eagle eyes, it's Murphy's fault, he made me overlook fitting the fuel lines.

 

Ok fuel lines and carbies are now in place and connected all I have to do now is fit the heat shied.

 

Damn, that Murphy character made me forget it can't be fitted with the carbies in place ok off they come again.  I have two stainless hose clamps holding the ali foil in place, it serves well as a heat shield but possibly more importantly shields the hot exhaust from any fuel that leaks from the carbies.

 

All I need to do now is fit the carbies which should be pretty simple with the recent practice I've had, yep all looking good and yes the fuel hoses did have a brush with the KIWI.

 

Cheers

Dad

[Grandad]

Hi All

 

I've had a few interruptions in the last few days but they were not unpleasant and after all it is that time of year.

 

I did manage to collect the door cards from the trimmer on Friday but being under pressure he only had time for a rush job which isn't up to scratch but it was a freebie so I'm not complaining as it will be a simple fix and he did give me "motor trimmers trade secret 401".  There are a few seams in the Alkantara that I suspect will require some attention over time and was thinking contact adhesive would be the product to use but am concerned that it can easily create a mess so I asked Paul what I should use, his answer was Loctite 401 he said it's the motor trimmers best friend and they'd be lost without it.  Loctite have a wide range of product each with specific application and it appears this is the one that best suites ours.

 

For anyone who's interested, here's a link to Loctite 401.  http://www.loctite.com.au/cps/rde/xchg/SID-677E0B54-A2F9ED57/henkel_aue/hs.xsl/3423_AUS_HTML.htm?countryCode=aue&BU=industrial&parentredDotUID=productfinder&redDotUID=000001G2ZX

 

I spent my time today preparing to fit the dash, that meant checking all the wiring was correct and as I haven't had my head seriously under the dash for well over three years it took a while to remember what everything is for and where it should go, Whitties pics came in very handy.  I repositioned the battery cables leading to the isolation switch that will replace the radio on the centre console, while I was at it I connected power again and checked the tail lights which look to be working as they should, I'm seriously pleased I took the time to pull them apart and clean them when I did as they're brighter than I've ever seen them, the others will be tested later when we have ignition.

 

This is a repeat of a previous pic but shows where we want to locate the isolation switch.

 

I had initially considered that I would fashion some sheet aluminium as a cover plate on which to mount the isolation switch then have it powder coated black or anodized but as neither of those ideas are particularly cost effective or will blend well with the console I've not felt totally comfortable with them so have not acted just in case I had a light turn on with a better idea, I think that might have just happened today.

 

I had considered that any backing plate must be robust enough to withstand the forces applied in operating the isolation switch (particularly in emergency situations) however since the introduction of our new friend 401 I've decided that plastic material soundly secured will do the job so all that's left to do is find appropriate black plastic material.  My first thought was that I shouldn't have been so hasty in throwing out the old console but a quick look at the new one revealed that it wouldn't have been suitable for this purpose any way so I started thinking about where I might find similar suitable black plastic, my first stop was the local Bunnings garden section and while there was lots of suitable product, none of it was in black so I aimlessly wandered through the store and eventually found myself in the storage section staring at black storage bins that I thought might just do the job so I escorted one home, via the check out of course, it's not exactly the same but it's going to be closer than powder coat or anodising.

 

Next job is to make a cardboard template.

 

Tomorrows job is to cut it out in plastic, I'm thinking a bonded aluminium sandwich using the same ali I used to blank off the air vents will ad strength but that's one for tomorrow.

 

Cheers

Dad

 

[420BRB]

This build is so epic 

[Grandad]

Hi All

 

I had hoped that the car would be finished by today so I could put the keys in Whitties Christmas Stocking but sadly I've missed that target but the end is surely not far off now and we have a track day mid January so I won't be backing off any time soon.

 

Got a bit more done today, I decided to fit the dash so firstly made sure everything that needed to be fitted or connected prior, such as door light switches and ventilation hoses were in place.

 

Here it is ready to accept the dash.

 

Here it is in place, not having a windscreen fitted sure makes fitting easier.

 

 

I saw Tuss today and told him I'm not far off firing it up so he gave me some running in instructions along with some running in oil and two bottles of hi zinc run in additive, just like lead in fuel zink has been removed from engine oil but it is extremely beneficial when running in new engines.

 

Merry Christmas all, I hope Santa brings you whatever it is you have wished for and Rudolf, I hope the weather is kind to you on your rounds tonight.

 

Cheers

Dad

 

 

[Whittie]

I hate that dash mat!

[Grandad]

I hate that dash mat!

 

Don't worry mate, when you're behind the wheel looking to set the car up for the next corner, you won't even notice it.

 

Cheers

Dad

[Linton]

;D

[Whittie]

Well I finally got to see the girl again on Christmas day and I must say: This car looks even better in the flesh than in the photos!!

 

Simply stunning and the interior is fantastic! The roll cage is completely hidden from view, all the colours work, the blue highlighting is amazing.

 

I was looking at some restored zeds online and I see the red with silver highlights as quite a popular (for good reason!) colour scheme, but I haven't seen many well done blue and black. This thing is really going to stand out and I can't wait!

 

The photographer has been booked for 'a couple weeks time' so expect to see this thing coming to a magazine sometime soon!

 

Now to source some blue FIA seatbelts....

[Grandad]

Hi All

 

Had another visit from that mischievous Leprechaun today, with the battery connected I turned the lights on and wouldn't you know it, on came the hi-beam light, that combined with the fact I couldn't get my fat little fingers behind the dash to reconnect the cigarette lighter which was removed in case we wanted to mount the brake bias adjuster there, the dash had to come out again, quite amazing how quickly that happens once you've done it a few times in rapid succession, turns out when I had the speedo apart I put globes back where they looked like they should go without checking the Workshop Manual.

 

I did a little bit of electrical work in preparation for Rikki's visit tomorrow then turned my hand to the centre console blanking panel, I figured that given my track record I wouldn't get it right first up so decided to attack an end panel of the box so I would have plenty of material left for further attempts, I drilled four holes large enough that I could get my gig saw in and let rip.

 

I used the jig saw to cut it more or less to size then tried trimming it with my old hand held wood plane which didn't work so I decided to try my electric plane which worked a treat, just had to make sure I kept my fat little fingers out of the way.

 

Here's my first attempt, the material is easy to work with much the same as the mud flaps, the lines you can see are from the jig saw, I should have cut it from behind, I'll set the black KIWI loose on it tomorrow and if that doesn't work I'll give it a coat of vinyl paint, if either of those work and I manage to mount the cutout switch accurately then that's it, interestingly the thickness of this material is almost exactly the same as the recess it has to fill.

 

Cheers

Dad

[Grandad]

Hi All

 

This re-build seems to have been going on forever so I just went back over the thread and found some interesting dates, the car came home from Will 23/6/12, Whittie started work on it 24/6/12 and put in a couple of solid days then went missing in action so I started on 5/7/12 and have been going at it at my own pace since which has been nice because once we missed the NDSOC meet I had time to consider and solve the little challenges that always present themselves in a re-build of this magnitude and also keep a close eye on detail so 17 months later I'm almost done.

 

Those of you that have done re-builds know the satisfaction that comes with doing a job to the best of your ability and achieving a good result, with the pressures in his life currently Whittie has not been available so assist physically in the re-build but has been the one with the ideas and inspiration that have transformed the Zed from what it was into what it is now, the sparkie was expecting to fire the engine up today and was disappointed to see fuel lines missing, everything is more or less ready to go but I've decided that the engine will only be fired up when Whittie turns the key because not withstanding my input, this is his project.

 

There was a bit of action today it started with me spraying the blanking plate with vinyl paint, that was a disaster as it pealed straight off when it dried, I then painted it with lo sheen black which didn't match with the console at all so off it came, I then called in the KIWI, what a slow learner I am, that worked perfectly.

 

I now needed to fit the cut out switch so did a test drill hole in the donor bin, as I don't have a hole bit the right size and won't buy one for one hole, I used the largest bit I have and the a rats tail file to enlarge it.

 

I tidied the edges of the blanking panel up a bit with a file then drilled a guide hole followed by the main drill hole which I then filed to size.

 

With that done I mounted the switch, not perfect but certainly good enough.

 

Next job was to mount the backing plate to the console.

 

Rikki the sparkie went through everything today and found a few little issues that were soon solved, any under bonnet wiring that is redundant had been removed and the loom re-taped, all the old original fuses were replaced simply because of there age, the HID lights have been connected and are working, when testing the tail lights Rikki asked if they were new because they were so bright, the test report was one blown reversing light globe and one dash globe.

 

While Rikki was doing his thing I concentrated on fitting the console but first up I had to fit the gear lever which posed a problem until I turned the box it was in upside down and found the retaining clip, from there on it was relatively simple.

 

Given that the console is designed to sit on top of carpet and sound proofing under felt it fits well.

 

Cheers

Dad

[Grandad]

Hi All

 

Did a bit more today to try and keep the momentum going which can be more than a little difficult at this time of year so it was pretty simple brain dead stuff like replacing the exploded hand brake warning light globe and the reversing light globe.

 

I wasn't entirely happy with the cutout switch location yesterday because when operating the gear lever in 1st, 3rd & 5th, my hand would come into contact with it.

 

Fix no one, replace the gear knob.

 

The way I currently have the switch mounted the toggle contacted the heater control console in its sweep from the disconnect to the connect position so I decided to trim it which in hind sight I'm not happy about, I set it in this position so that if we fit the externally operated pull handle the internal cable will be on the passenger side of the console but I'm not comfortable that there is enough material left on the toggle  to ensure a breakage won't occur if the handle is operated under extreme conditions so rather than make a new filler panel I will invert the switch and get a new toggle.

 

Following Rikki's reaction to seeing the tail lights I thought I might give the front fender lights the same treatment so retrieved them from Whitties light box and interestingly found four of them in varying states of disrepair so turned my attention to those that came off the Zed and when I took the first one apart, this is what I found.

 

No prizes for guessing that won't be re-fitted, I have identified two sets of suitable light bodies, lenses and mounting blocks so all will be good.  TBC.

 

Cheers

Dad

 

[peter t]

I have a short shift kit that I am no longer using. That would fix your gear stick probs.

[Grandad]

I have a short shift kit that I am no longer using. That would fix your gear stick probs.

 

Hi peter

 

Thanks for the offer, changing the gear knob has increased clearance and I've decided to invert the switch so that little issue is solved also because we continually broke stock Zed boxes we are now running a much stronger Sylvia one so not sure a Zed shifter will fit.

 

Cheers

Dad

[peter t]

Hi M8 I am running the same box S13 but bought a short shifter  for it but no longer use. Check out my build thread.

[peter t]

Hi TT, this is a pic of the short shift kit and of my car with standard shifter [s13 Gearbox]  The short shifter was good but went back to the standard for the old school feel. With standard s13 shifter I have plenty of clearance. Cheers.

[peter t]

Sorry M8, here are the pics.

[peter t]

Bugger me here is the short shifter.

[Whittie]

Hey Peter,

 

Thanks for the offer. This one on the zed is the NISMO short shifter and it's only about 15% shorter throw than standard and the gear knob is at standard height as well. It's short without being too short and is really nice to use. I had a shorter throw one that was also lowered but sold it on as well cause I wasn't a huge fan either

 

 

[peter t]

Ditto, bit too notchy  for me.

[Grandad]

Hi All

 

Got a little bit more done today but more importantly arranged with Whittie that New Years Day is it for firing the engine....Can't wait.

 

I picked the best two of the front fender indicators and attacked them with my wire brush.

 

I then gave them a coat of heat proof silver.

 

I picked the best two lenses but they are a bit sad looking.

 

I decided to try and brighten them up and also remove the lettering but needed to secured to something for polishing so I mounted them to a piece of timber which worked well.

 

Here they are with the lettering gone.

 

Now for the polishing.

 

One down one to go.

 

With the polishing done, I gave them and the mounting blocks good scrub and re-painted the metal trims, they have been powder coated previously but were showing signs of age.

 

The mounting blocks had the mandatory session with the KIWI.

 

The wiring was pretty ordinary but out of four I was able to make two good ones.

 

So here they are good to go, not a big job but it's amazing just how time consuming it is.

 

Here's another sign that the end is near.

 

I did that so I could test that the fuel gauge is working then finally tidy up the rear under car wiring and refit the rear wheel, which I have.

 

Only three more sleeps.

 

Cheers

Dad

[nizm0zed]

New year, new car, new races to win!!!!

 

Have you considered putting a 'Kiwi shoe polish' sticker on the outside, maybe get them to sponsor for a bit of advertising 

 

I think i speak for all of us watching along patiently when i say 'Video or ban!' of the first startup.