Part 2 - Nosecone and Brake Servo
The Rover Metro servo/master cylinder is mounted directly above the pedal
box. It is small enough to fit underneath the bonnet/scuttle without any
modifications. The pedal box and servo assembly has been designed so that
it can be removed at a later date. Both the 'box and servo are bolted to
a steel platform, that is in turn welded to the chassis.
The steering column is now in place: we tried to use as much from the original
doner Sierra as possible; so we have used the column too. The column comes
through the scuttle and is fastened to the bulkhead via an extra set of
Sierra column washers which are secured to the front edge of the bulkhead.
Again, this is bolted so that it may be removed/replaced in the future.
Half way down the column meets the exhaust manifold, so another universal
joint has to put in - this is secured againt one of the upright chassis
members.
We have an idea for the clutch cable which involves a swivle pin on the
fastening end so that the cable may move more freely. We will be trying
this out when we figure out how to do it!
We thought that since we had money in out pockets, it was time to go out
and buy things! Actually, we really needed the nosecone and a seat so that
we could start fixing panels in place. Because the interior space is so
limited, there are only a few different kinds of seats that will actually
fit the car, one of these is a seat made by Cobra; the Roadster 7. Looking
though the back of Kit-Car magazine we saw a little ad for a shop in Newcastle
that sold all kinds of kit car parts - great! only 20 or so miles up the
M1.
We had a look at the parts that we wanted (nosecone, front cycle wings and
rear wings) and decided to get the nosecone (70 quid) and rear wings (75
quid)- we didn't particulary like the front ones. We also ordered a single
Cobra Roadster 7 seat, in black with the silver Cobra logo in the headrest
and contrasting red piping. Delivey time 2 weeks, and 140 quid.
Oh dear, the rear arches are far too wide for the wheels. We even had the
wheels on spacers, but it made little difference, talking to people this
is a common problem and is why the wheels on these cars always seem to be
tucked right under the arches.
As you can see from the previous images we have got new wheels (7"x15"
with 195/50 rubber) and they fit 'snuggly' under the rear arches. "You
said the arches where too big!" I hear you cry. Well, yes they are,
but the Escort axle was also far too narrow. That has now been taken out
and has been replaced with a far more generous Capri axle - this widens
the track at the rear, lets us fit wider wheels and tyres and improves the
look of the rear section immensely - no more wheels tucked right under the
arches! Now we have nice fat chunky 7" wide wheels and 195 profile
tyres too :-)
The nosecone did not fit on without a fight, either. It needed bodge-ing
to raise it up a touch so that the bonnet line would miss the Pinto's cam
cover, it is also an inch or so further forward than normal.
We have also fitted the radiator to the car (a unit viciously cannibalised
from a Ford Anglia that was undergoing a 1600 Crossflow conversion before
we started the Locost!).
Fitting the Capri axle was failry straightforward, but a pain as the Escort
axle had to be completely removed. After all that work! Argh!!! Anyway the
Capri axle is in, and theEscort diff is fitted back in. We now need to get
a propshaft made up to join the diff and gearbox.
The handbrake is made up from a Sierra lever which is mounted slightly below
the top of the transmission tunnel. The level pulls a bracket to which are
attatched two seperate brake cables; one to each side of the car. The cables
are fastened to the drum normally and a steel plate prevents them moving
around when the cable is pulled - as they are, the cables try to bend the
steel plate when pulled, so we will be fitting triangular strengthening
pieces to each of the steel plates.
The next thing on the cards is to order some aluminum sheeting, as we need to now start with the exterior panels. That will probably have to wait until after the summer holidays though. After the panels are done, we then need to get the propshaft fitted and then we can start on the best bit; the engine!
This page updated: 25/Mar/2007