DWEEZLE'S BACK!!

[taminga16]

Plus 1 for a wrecker, Jaycar have LED inserts to replace the bulbs if you wanted to go that way.
Greg.

[Dweezle]

Hey mate.

Have the stainless faces arrived? It's going to look so good with those gauge faces!

They have, Thanks.

I have used the centres and i think they look tops.
I could not remove the clear front piece without a good chance of destruction.
DAMN MY GORILLA HANDS
So i think i will just run without the surround for now.



Thanks for the Wrecker idea. Will have to give it a go.
My brother works for REPCO so i have him on the case of trying to find something that works.
MANIA had nothing available. Bummer, might have to try MX5 PLUS.

[Muzdaman]

How flexible is the surround?

Could you roll it up and put it through the tacho hole?

[Dweezle]

That is it.
It does not really bend.
Good idea though!!

[emily_mx5]

emily_mxV and Spikes where at my place and it was Emily that discovered that behind these dodgy gauges, the originals lay in slumber

HAHAHA quality instal

Hey with the gauge hood thing, use a heat gun to get the plastic really soft, then use a stanly knife to cut it off. You will then have to glue it back on with super glue etc. Because that stainless face plate is really nice!

[taminga16]

Be mindful of the possibility of the Super Glue fumes adherering to any impurities on the pespex, ie fingerprints, film, dust etc, particularly in a such confined space.
Greg.

[Dweezle]

Lots of things happening!!
Too many actually

Work got in the way and i ended up halfway through quite a few jobs.

Fixed some of that today though.

First up, rip that damn valve cover off.





Replace ECU Thermo Sensor at the back of the head.


Quite obvious it needed doing. Hopefully this will fix that running rich issue i have had.


Replaced the fuel filter.
Always a messy job.
Did not help that the rubber line was so old it split at the slightest touch.
So a quick trip off to the lil brother at Repco to get some replacement line and hose clamps.



CAS O-Ring was hard as a rock.



I also painted the Cam cover and Exhaust shield.
Was not a very Solid job. I kind of just degreased and sprayed. Came out good enough for what i needed.





While all this was going on i have started accumulating a few bits and pieces.


2nd Hand TODA Flywheel.

Should be good with a resurface.
Clutch will need doing in the near future so this will be ready to go in.


Got myself a little Ducktail spoiler from a forum member.



Had no idea what this looked like as there where no pictures.
But it arrived all nice with a bit of wear and tear.
No probs, even colour correct for the car so it can just get bolted on.





I have almost finished my gauge face install.
Just need to go for a drive and set the needles.
As i only had the Speedo and Tacho from REVLIMITER the other 3 gauges are green.
But i do not think i will mind.

Looks pretty nice i think!!


The gauge surround is still not on properly in that picture hence so much light bleed.


So, anyways... Lots of things still to deal with.
Few electrical gremlins and idle issues.


It is amazing how it can be so fun and annoying all at once!

[Sean]

I'm a tad late, but welcome back.
Gauges are kinda cool.

[Dweezle]

I certainly had fun this afternoon!!!!!!


First time attacking anything with a Angle Grinder.
I think i have found my new favourite tool.


First of all i need to introduce you to someone.
Meet CONEHEAD.





Some of you have prob meet him before.
Either at the track or in folklore, the most disgusting hardtop ever created.

Well, i decided enough was enough.
Time to kill this thing and hope i can bring it back to life to do exactly what i need it to.








My plan is to make a Hardtop that can fit a custom half cage that is a fair chunk taller than a regular BD Bar.
So i should have no height issues.
This is how the hardtop was sold to me. That is would fit a taller half cage.
Was not true but i got it for pretty cheap so not much to lose.

Decided to just cut the BOX section out that included the Pyramid.
Turns out it was made of Aluminium sheeting and then fibreglassed over the top.
So off to bunnings for a $30 angle grinder and some cutting discs.

Time to get started.




FIRE!!!!!!






No turning back now.


Success!!!




Looking better already i think.


TARGA ROOF!!



Ok, so i know it is still really crude.
The plan is to now get the cage made and then continue removing the fibreglass addition to the hardtop.
Then i hope to figure out with help, how to make a new roof for it that works with the Glass and new cage.
Also i want it to look half decent.

Should be fun.

[RedMX]

Neat sunroof you got going on there Kind of reminds me of this.



I have been following your build & your doing very well with it so far. Kudos to you so far Dweezle. & I'm keen to see more

[PaulF]

You're certainly taking the path less travelled here. It will be interesting to see what you end up with.

[Dweezle]

Thanks PAUL & REDMX.
Yeah Paul, certainly not the beaten track. But that makes it more fun.

I just do not understand how anyone can feel safe with a BD bar or MX5 Plus Bar if you are taller than a Elf.




Finally had the car to a point where i felt i could go for a proper shake down.



Happy to say, it made a full day trip around Wiseman's Ferry and back roads.
My AC fan mod seemed to work. No overheating today at all.



Car uses a lil oil, Not unexpected.
NB8B brakes are Great.
Tyres are crap. i am waiting for a set of Nitto NT555's to arrive.
My exhaust is pathetic. The cat back seems to be a aftermarket dealeo, but the tip piece from the muffler is literally a peashooter. I am talking maybe 1 1/2". No idea why anyone would do that.
I am also running the 1.6 AFM and airbox. This would not help.
The car feels really torquey up till about 5500rpm then it falls on its face.



and yes, i did get a few looks with my cut open roof

[Dweezle]

AIRCON IS OUT!!!




Being picked up by a forum member this afternoon.
So off to a better home

Much neater.





Was surprised by how light it all really is.
The compressor is a heavy thing but other than that it is all quite light.

I even removed the Evaporator from under the dash.
Will have to source something to go between the 2 pipes so my heater will work.




Also figured out why the passenger side Thermo Fan was out of action.


Not sure what has happened there but clearly some MELTING action has taken place.

So no fans on the car at the moment.
MX5 PLus has a used one but me being in Sydney makes it an expensive option.
Mania only have new ones available.
Not gonna spend $350 on a fan!!

Will sort something out i am sure.


Here is my dying engine.
It still pulls fine but makes a awful trip for anyone behind me i hear


I have not seen the smoke so this was the best i could do.
Looks white to me.
my brother who was driving behind me the other day said it was blue and when under load.
So i think the rings may have seen better days.

Rebuild is being planned right now.

Will hopefully have that done by the end of the year.

[Hjt]

I just do not understand how anyone can feel safe with a BD bar or MX5 Plus Bar if you are taller than a Elf.

I bolted my seats to the floor. I am 6"4 and can see the full gauge face on my dash ;)

[Dweezle]

So your head is under the BD bar?

I would love to sit in your car Hayden if possible?

Every car i have sat in with a BD or MX5 plus bar has my head level with the Bar at best!