MX5 Fisher Fury build diary

After 3 weeks away from the car, quite a list of jobs. First to shorten the track rod threaded ends so that the steering could be tracked and then roughly track the front wheels. Very awkward as the rack is in the car and the ends flap about. I had to hold them with one hand while sawing away without wrecking the thread. Could not see how to do the tracking with the wheels on so took them off then used a long length of straight steel and laid it parallel to the rear wheels then measured from the steel to the disc brake. By screwing the track rod end to roughly the same number of threads each side it all seemed to line up. Certainly the car was easier to push about. Then I made up some resin and repaired the cut lines on the side pods with fibreglass. Next was the steering column mount. My B&Q brackets would not pass muster so I got a length of rusty angle iron, cut off an 80mm length and polished it up on the rotary wire brush. Then it was a matter of measuring for the mounting holes and - oh! that's tough to drill! I then got the washer and bearing for the collapsible column back together and secured it all. Finally for the day I decided to secure the drivers side of the tub to the chassis and pod. Somehow the final positioning had moved the tub relative the chassis rail holes. Not a big deal but fiddly to find the holes under the fibreglass and re-drill. It was essential to take care because the line of the tub to the pod is very visible and nothing makes a car look shoddier than poor shut lines between panel sections. I think it's pretty good for most of the run other that at the very rear and I can adjust that. This photo does not really show the slight gap in the horizontal line at the wheel arch but it's there and needs fixing.

Of course the Sikaflex tube was bunged up and in clearing the nozzle to put a line between the panels I got covered too. Typical. I managed to speak with Chris at Cranbrook who seems to be getting the management of the Fisher project rather more under control. He can get me covers for the seat moulds I bought and a dashboard - I just want a flat 2 piece one so I think we'll be OK. He was checking the details, but he did not call me back again! I've won a heater from a Mini on ebay for £35.20 (when the post starts up again). Given the price from Cranbrook I'm happy! Also great communications from Stafford Vehicle Components about the lights I need. I sanity checked this with Chris at Cranbrook who said that they just buy them from SVC and make no margin as postage takes up the little they get. He said I should buy direct.