Oil cooler

[bogster]

Installed the oil cooler today and the inline stat. Plan to run hose down the nearside chassis rail above the fuel line, hopefully it will just fit.

Get my Dax order next week so should be able to have the steering complete next weekend and get the engine installed.

Question 1:
Will I be able to install the wiring loom easily with the engine in place?

Question 2:
I've got all my samco hose for the coolant system and heating hose so once the engine is in I'll be able to hook up the coolant system. I was planning on leaving the heater hose until after the exhaust manifold is installed. Is this ok?

I can't think of anything else I can do now apart from the above until I get the engine installed. Anyone let me know if I've missed something out prior to engine installation (it's tight enough in the engine bay without the engine installed).

[dave]

Hi Colin.
All the above is possible but it is much easier to install everything in the engine bay without the engine in there.
There should not be a problem by-passing the heaters.
Good luck.

[bogster]

Thanks Dave,

Any tips on the best way to run the wiring loom in the engine bay? Is it best as Dax suggest in the manual (i.e. along the right hand side as viewed from the rear and through a hole in the front bulkhead panel? Do you know if the wiring loom comes with a protective sheath or do I need to get one?

Thanks

P.S. My engine has been sitting since February now. I probably won't get her fired up until mid May. How long can an engine normally sit before things start to cease up?

[JonnyT]

You're racing ahead now Colin. Although hopefully we will have a chance to do something this Friday as Simon and I both have the day off. Going to try to get the fuel tank and the radiator and oil cooler in.

In case you are all wondering why this is taking us so long - please see the attached photograph!!!

[bogster]

Tidy work JonnyT. I'm sure you guys will catch up soon.

My increased effort has also increased the scrapes, bumps, cuts and bruises. Drilled through my index finger on the right hand last week. Right through the nail and down to the bone! Nail looks like it has exploded. Anyway nice little memento to remind me of installing the brake reservoir.

Since starting I've dropped chassis off of the crane narrowly missing my foot, fried myself with my new welder, nearly blew myself up when washing out the petrol tank with petrol and forgeting to turn the superserv heater off and drilling through finger with a 4mm drill bit (must say it was a clean hole which didn't need dressing off). Anyone else enjoy the same pleasures? Dangerous game this kit car building!

Looking forward to fitting the carpet!!

[madjohnny]

At least there's no drilling when fitting the carpet!!!

[JonnyT]

Colin,

Thanks for the compliment - not bad for 2 days work!!! The clips took ages to make.

I too drilled through my finger - putting the earth strap onto the chassis. I still bear the scars and that was at Christmas. Still all increases the fun - like you say some war wounds are essential!

[mylesdw]

Originally Posted by bogster

P.S. My engine has been sitting since February now. I probably won't get her fired up until mid May. How long can an engine normally sit before things start to cease up?

It's years rather than months (as long as the plugs are in).

[JonnyT]

Colin,

Not sure which engine you have but we have the 351W as you know. Haven't read the manual very much for the electrics because we are doing it all ourselves (heat shrink makes a very good shroud for the loom btw). However on ours the loom (although not fitted yet) is likely to go down the near side of the engine bay and cut across in front of the radiator for the lights somehow. Most of the stuff on our engine runs down the nearside - oil pressure for instance. We are doing everything with the engine in - see previous posts and although it is not as accessible as it otherwise might be we have not as yet had to compromise on anything because the engine is there.

It may be that you want to sort the electrics out for the starter and the earth straps before the engine goes in though.

Jon