Project B - MGBK

[Adam Y]

You're on the ball there Charlzy. I just fancied a change as it's not just a BRM I'm posting about now

[ROVER-25X]

Fine, should have had it as Adam_BRMskiB

[Adam Y]

So a week off but back up at the unit today for a long day of wiring fun! First up though how about some over-engineering a solution to a wee problem that cropped up at the last track day with the BRM.

Oil caps!



We found with the engine getting seriously hot, the cap stuck solid and we just couldn't get it off without some 'assistance'.

So what's the solution...well previously we had used an oil filter strap, but that's just not cricket, so what you need is one of these...

Some spare metal and an old Triumph foot rest that was hanging about and voila...



Perfect fit...





With that fun out of the way, here's what I've managed to whittle the wiring loom down to...



This is a fraction of what we've stripped out of it (who needs radios, heaters, interior lights, etc)...



And now for some more orange porn

Dad had knocked up some studs and spacers for the hard-top...

Front studs...



Rear studs...



And rear studs with spacers. The spacers are actually threaded so wont come off when taking the hard-top on and off...



With the hard-top all fitted we could then fit the rear piece and spoiler!! Some people may hate this, personally we love it, so check out this sexy arse...













That's all for now

[Adam Y]

So more wiring carrying on today, managed to complete the engine bay loom section but still the in-car part to do. Also a big thanks to Alan for being on the end of the phone to check some wire colours that I pulled from a plug to extend and didn't note where they came from! So here are some random wiring snaps...

Mocking up the loom in the bay...



Sensors all over the place...





Here's the mess that needs sorting in the car...



Wiring comes through here...



Engine loom out of the car ready to be wrapped...





And all done...





The callipers are now on too...



Rear view mirror is on...



Fitting the starter motor, I happened to be underneath at this point...



And this is a little problem, we were going to fit an engine stabiliser to this mount but there are some certain clearance issues with the belt. Got to think around this one...

[K16Stan]

You need to remove that front engine mount! Think of the weight savings! Lol You can get cam cover blanks from caterham etc, I made mine from a bit of carbon fibre for the Midget

[Adam Y]

Originally Posted by K16Stan

You need to remove that front engine mount! Think of the weight savings! Lol You can get cam cover blanks from caterham etc, I made mine from a bit of carbon fibre for the Midget

Well we want a bit of bracing as the torque on the engine could crash the alternator into the chassis rail. Think what we'll have to do is only use two of the upper bolt holes and make a custom mount. It's nice to have these little challenges

[Mav666]

Love the oil cap tool, you've created some cracking bespoke tools during this adventure!

[Adam Y]

Originally Posted by Mav666

Love the oil cap tool, you've created some cracking bespoke tools during this adventure!

Thanks

I think over the years we've managed to make our own versions of almost every manufacturers service tool. To quote a great movie....."If you can't find the right tool in this garage, Mr Arizona, you don't belong near a car"

[ROVER-25X]

Spoiler looks ace mate, downforce is a must, sod the purists.

[Adam Y]

Cheers mate, hopefully it should do the job

[Adam Y]

So more playing with wires yesterday but I think we've cracked it now and broken the back of the wiring loom, whoot!! All that really needs to be done now is linking up the various switches, gauges and the new fusebox unit we're puttin in. Then it's hope and pray time that it all works!

Here's the nice mess we had at the start of the day...



Tools of the trade for wiring, diagrams are a must...



Slowly getting there tieing it all up...



Used the main fusebox from the old BRM loom and whittled it down to a few wires...



Also used the main relay from the BRM loom so that's sitting pretty with a few less wires too...



Coolng fan relay being put to good use...



Looms being laid out for the lights, fan, horn, etc...these will be tied up later on once we have lengths sorted...



More bits cut out of the loom...



This was really a reference pic of the starter motor connections...



Huge thickness of the battery cable, probably overkill but it was free so all good...



More battery cable...



The loom essentially ready to be connected up but that'll probably be when I'm back at the unit in a couple of weeks...

[ROVER-25X]

At least with 'overkill' wire you will get a decent circuit.

God I love a nice tidy loom.

[Adam Y]

Haha, it'll all be nice and neat and out of the way when it's done this is just the messy part! Think between the BRM loom and the MGB loom we've cut out around 2 stone in weight of wiring!

[K16Stan]

Looking good mate! I kept the main relay box on the Midget too, it powers your fuel pumps and all that off the ignition properly, well worth keeping! It sounds silly but have you put a diode in the wire from the ignition light down to the alternator? I've done this as the engine may not stop once started! This is sad but the wire in question is brown with yellow strand I couldn't believe it but the same wire on the original Midget loom was the same colour!!

[Adam Y]

Well we've fitted a dead key so if worst comes to worst we can just kill it with that, haha. Will have a look into the diode thingamabob though, cheers!

[andycolm]

Getting close now

[Adam Y]

She is, but still lots to do. We did manage to get power onto the starter though so we know the engine definitely cranks, so that's a step in the right direction. Still waiting on a swirl pot for the boot and then have fuel lines to route throughout the car as well, but every weekend is a step closer

[K16Stan]

Originally Posted by Adam Y

Well we've fitted a dead key so if worst comes to worst we can just kill it with that, haha. Will have a look into the diode thingamabob though, cheers!

IIRC the diode acts as a none return valve in electrics, apparently the alternator can keep things goin once the engine is switched off by back charging through the ignition light and back into the ignition. The diode keeps it going in the right direction only.

[Adam Y]

Hmm interesting, cheers Stan. Although we don't have an ignition light so not sure what'll happen there, haha!

[Adam Y]

So still battling on with the wiring on Saturday, most of the way there though now as it just really all needs connecting up and running earths here, there and everywhere.

Headlights are mounted, horn is on, washer bottle fitted and pump plumbed in, front indicators fitted too in some trick carbon surrounds with holes for brake venting too.

I've got a bunch of photo's that i'll post when I'm home tonight, lots of the big jumble of wires though