I only realised after i finished typing it that this is a very long ramble, so sorry about that.
Well this is long overdue an update, as a fair bit has happened in the last month.
I spent a few days in the workshop getting everything up to scratch, ready for the MOT. I fitted the rear beam poly bushes, after fighting with the original ones to get them out. The process I used was to burn away the rubber with a blow torch (whilst holding my breath for far too long), then use a pneumatic hacksaw to cut away what was still left, eventually resorting to twatting the centre out with a hammer. Then i rubbed away any residual rubber with a pneumatic finger sander to leave about 10mm of clean metal to cut the outer section so i could get it out. Then i slipped in the poly bushes and refitted the beam.
Then i stuck on the 30mm hub spacers, which was totally uneventful and strangely easy, apart from the awkwardness of course, and sheer amount of rust in my eyes. I also sorted out the horn, by borrowing the one from my motorbike, and repaired any rust holes with a coat of satin black - which worked as there was no mention on the MOT of the large holes :lol:
Next was to fit the ARB bushes, which didn't happen as there is just no access, so that's been left in abayance, to be done when the engine swap happens.
With this I serviced the engine, filling it up with nice thick oil and Wynn's to stop the smoke.
After a long night in the workshop i strolled home, ready to start again on the big job of making an exhaust out of bits and bobs that i have bought and what's not completely rusted away.
My own forgetfulness made this job a little harder, as i thought the flange on the cat section was OK and the centre section flange was duff, and as i had a replacement centre without a midbox it would bolt straight together. But no, it was the other way round. So i had to cut the flange off the centre section and get a universal flexi to remake the downpipe. Then i had to remake the rear hanger on the centre section as it had been cut off. With that all hung up and fitted nicely, the back box needed adjustment as the in pipe was the same diameter as the centre pipe, so the flared bit was cut off and a bit of the original exhaust was welded in place, so the back box slots inside the centre pipe. I should point out here that i am incapable of any skilled task so all the cutting and welding was done by my brother, whilst all the monkey work with spanners and hammers was done by me.
And with that it was ready for the MOT, which it failed catastrophically. The emissions were through the roof, and the brake and fog lights were sub par, so some attention was necessary. By which i mean do nothing at all and just grease the tester's palm.
After sitting on the drive for two weeks the battery had gone flat, so flat teh central locking wouldn't open the car, so i had to force open the bonnet by pushing the latch with a screwdriver, luckily i have no grill so access was slightly less impossible. Eventually i got it open and took it for the MOT, which it so very nearly passed on it's own merit; it was 0.01% away from passing. So some things happened that are definitely legal and not shady at all and i walked away with 12 months more motoring joy :thumbs:
And here we are, took it for it's first proper drive after all the work yesterday and it runs just fine, the exhaust is a little quiet for my liking, but hey ho a better back box will sort that. It seems to be firmer at the back with the poly bushes, but it's hard to tell on the road, especially with coilovers, but i know that for track they will be much better. I am now also happy with the stance, i was always annoyed by the back wheels sitting in too far, even with the 20mm spacers, but now it's all gravy and i think it looks spot on.
So for now i'm just into money saving mode. Nothing needs to be done until i am finally allowed to do the engine swap, changing insurance companies in December so that should hopefully be go-time. When i do that i'll fit the ARB bushes, get a track-oriented clutch, fit Redstuff brake pads and fit braided brake lines. Then i can get out onto a track and see how bad i am at it :lol:
Now i'm just looking forward to FordFair. I'll be getting the valeting tools out in a couple of weeks, give it a hell of a buff and wax then get on down to Silverstone.
Also i'll add some pics of the car as it stands, for those who are interested and also because i haven't put any up for a while and i want to