MX5 Fisher Fury build diary

11th February

I was supposed to be driving down to Swansea today to help Alistair clear out the house as Andrew is moving out, and most importantly collect the flywheel, but he’s got flu so I did not go. After Martin’s bombshell a bit of progress elsewhere. Neville Powell seems a good type and collected my engine from the scrappy on Friday. He’s told me to get a propshaft, bolts to rejoin the engine and gearbox and new mounts. I’ll drop the gearbox down to Liphook later in the week.

Then I got Paul Gyles in Wembley to blow the pistons out from the Sierra callipers prior to overhauling them. I think he gave the job to Tibbs because when I got them out of the wrapping he used yesterday the pistons were still in! However the seals must have been pretty clapped because I was able to lever them out undamaged using brute force and an old Flymo blade. Then I followed the Haynes manual and David Elliston’s website directions and cleaned them out, refitted the seals. Thank goodness for David’s hint on the dust seal – I think Haynes skipped that bit and I still made a mistake so I bought a foot pump at Halfords for £15.00 and blew the piston out again. Then I reassembled them, painted them with Hammerite to match the uprights they go with, and felt unreasonably satisfied – mind you I’ve saved at least £250.00 by doing this.
Last job today was to degrease the gearbox casing.

Comment on costs: When I boast to Catherine about saving money on this and that she rejoins that the car clearly must be free - need new catchphrase.