Craig's XE track Nova

[Corsamitch]

I'm not sure now mate, jades ill iv got loads to do and get for a French fishing trip next week, cars stil in bits etc etc..

I might come up Sunday for the day as I think that'll be the better day weather wise, shame really cos iv paid for a double camp pitch.

[Craig-S]

Not much of an update, but due to this weeks nice weather I have used the car a couple of times. Took it down to the coast with my other half last saturday night for an evening out. Was a bit weary about leaving it parked up, but it survived, and actually looked quite funny parked amongst normal cars so took a few photo's

Underground car park in bournemouth



Disabled space right outside the restaruant (Disabled 8am - 6pm only)



Then left it in Tower park and did a bit of bowling. Shame about the bush as that wasnt a bad picture



Did about 80m in it that night and took it quite steady with Amy in the car. But Thursday just gone took it to see some family in Cheltenham which is a 150m round trip. Plan was to get it on the rollers at mech motorsport, but i had a few people to see and never got around to it.

Had a right laugh on the way back at about 9pm as the sun was going down. Really quiet roads and some nice clean overtaking. Had a big scare at the Marlbourogh tesco's when i could smell fire. Popped the bonnet and jumped out with the car still rolling only to find out there was nothing wrong, so must have been a tyre on a bonfire or something.

I have however noticed that since fitting the 888's it torque steers a lot more on rough roads. Quite dangerous infact, so before its next outing will be addressing all of the soft bushes, maybe some rose joints and a laser allignment setup.

Some pics i took before putting it away. (front wheels were spotless when i left in the morning)

[Ted_2311]

I really do like this Nova. Glad you have been enjoying it abit more with the good weather. Am I right in thinking you can't lock this? If so it did survive well on your night out lol.

[Th0m45]

Looks excellent Craig! love the pic in the underground, looks tiny beside the jag! also like the Tower park pic

[Kev_G]

now that looks awesome

[Craig-S]

Yeah its been nice to just top the oil up and jump in. Starts first time every time with just 1 pump on the pedal and there really arent any serious problems at the moment.

I can sort of lock it, but to be honest its never really locked as you can just put your hand in through the slider, and the boot is just on pins.

Does look tiny. I had reversed it so it was touching the barrier which would have stopped the rear hatch frim being lifted up.

[BROD]

Ive just read your whole thread, fair to say im going to be tired in work tomorow! But your nova is looking awesome craig! really really nice. Clean neat and pretty fresh for a track car. The wheels look even better in person too! One thing id like to ask is how bad did the alternator knock on the 8v? Im planning on painting my engine bay before i fit the seh so i dont fancy any fabrication after that point to be honest mate! if theres a chance you could get any measurements would be great!

[Craig-S]

Cheers Brad, the alt never ever hit on the 8v because it was higher and in the right place.

I just beat the chassis leg with a lump hammer then painted it, so dont have any measurements im affraid.

[Craig-S]

Not much has happened since its last outing. It has simply sat in the shed with millions of flys stuck to the front of it.

I started making plans for the castle combe meeting on 8th sept this week though, and ordered the parts required to rose joint my gear linkage. Im wanting to do this, the rear oil seal and the Quaife box all in one hit, so hopefully the test drive will be like driving a different car.

Parts arrived today, but not happy with the quality of the M12's so sending them back for an upgrade



Then thought i should really sort out some wet wheels to take just incase it pisses down, which it probably will.

Since i painted the comps they have sat in the corner of my living room like this. Which i thought was a perfectly safe way to store them....



But apparently not, because the bottom 2 when pulled out today have a lovely flowery print on them, from the towel, that was ironically supposed to protect them.





Could it get any worse? Yes. The two which had already had the laquer wet sanded were on the bottom and the two that needed doing on top, for obvious reasons. So I have been out in the shed at home this morning very carefully wet sanding them again, and praying that i dont burn through the laquer.

I couldnt get them as perfect as they were, because the actual paint underneath has been inprinted, so even know i can get the laquer flat agin there are still shadows under it.

So, a bit pissed off if im honest. At least it was my own fault though.

I did rush the laquer and in hindsight should have left them a lot longer to harden.

Whilst i was out there i sanded down and G3'd the last 2 wheels as well, so they are now well and truley finished. They probably arent as bad as im making out, so anyone who knows the car come and have a look if you see it anywhere and see if you can spot the flaws.



I sourced 2 nearly new Yok Paradas not so long back so will probably buy 2 new ones to make a set and use these just as wet track wheels now.

[Paul]

If you need and TRE, seals, bearings give me a shout Craig

Paul

[Craig-S]

Pm on its way

[Benn]

Rattle can can take ages to fully harden. Plus if you cover them it can trap the gasses and slow the hardening down... So never cover.

[Paul]

Pm on its way

Nothing received

:-(

[Craig-S]

Altzheimers? You even reply'd

Ir was about the Mondeo.

[Craig-S]

Decided to take the afternoon off today and sort out the gear linkage. I took it home, along with a spare which i could use for reference whilst chopping the donor up.



First off was to measure up and fab a horizontal link out of M10. Which was actually quite un-rewarding as it only took about 3 mins.



Next was to sort out the gearbox end with M12, So lots of measuring and a little cutting was required.



Here is where most people drill down the centre of the shaft and Tap a thread, however i am a little bit of a pikey so instead i just drilled down 5mm or so then tacked and welded an M12 thread in place





That was this end more or less sorted,





Next was to move across to the shifter end, which was pretty much the same story just with different measurements





And all screwed together. It actually feels like a quality bit of kit. I have used the most expensive teflon lined joints so its well over engineered, but has a nice tight feel to it with absolutely zero play. I did at first order some cheap joints, but they were pretty shocking so never used them.





I am actually completely shocked at how a 20yo Nova ever even finds a gear with the standard linkage in place. The play at every joint was massive, and going through the box was a lot like stiring soup, so hopefully it will be a lot more direct now.

Below is a short video of one of the joints. There must have been 10mm play in this one alone.



Plan now is to fit this at the same time as the Box, then take it for a test drive which is something im quite looking forward to.

[Melv]

So you are dying to slot it into place in a nice tight box!

Ooh matron!

[Daz H]

Great fabrication there Craig, I'm sure it'll feel alot tighter when everything is back together!

You should make these for conversions/replacement items I'm sure quite a few of us would be interested

[Craig-S]

Yes Melv, my plan is to slip it in from the rear.

Thanks, Although it is relatively simple so i cant take much credit. Regarding the Re-sale of them i priced it up and its not really cost / time effective. I do have 10 linkages as that was my intention, But the parts alone cost £50 (per linkage) and it took me 2 hours, so to make it worth my while they would have to be £100 delivered, which im sure you will agree is a little pricey.

[Craig-S]

I ****ing hate this car now!

[Paul]

Why?

Relax dude, relax

[Melv]

Fixing the incident damage going well I take it?

Have a stella!

[Dale]

oh dear not good, whats up? looking good above pictures..

[Corsamitch]

What ya found? Chillax my man..

[Benn]

Linkage looks great.

[Craig-S]

Il update tomorrow. Just got in from a long day fighting with it.