Kugawestie's MX5 SDV Build Thread - Now An Upgrade Thread

[CRAIGR]

Looking excellent Gary :cool:

[KugaWestie]

Looking excellent Gary :cool:

Thanks matey - I am trying my hardest

[KugaWestie]

Tonight I was excited

I ordered the windscreen on 30th November, and it finally got delivered today, man that was a long wait.

I could not wait to get home and get on with it.

I made up a timber spacer bar to get the angle of the dangle right, and so far I have got the mirrors on, screen in position, and the first hole drilled through the scuttle.

Looking forward to carrying on tomorrow

On the downside - the screens I picked up second hand have got the hinges at different centres to the pillars, not sure why . I guess this means I am going to have to relocate one of the hinges to suit the pillars, which means some redundant holes to fill up on the screens

[KugaWestie]

I carried on today with the windscreen. It is now all fixed in position

Then I tackled the wiper motor assembly, which is now all installed

I have still got to seal the windscreen and sort the fillet out

[KugaWestie]

Bit more progress today - seemed like a lot of time for not much to show, but all good jobs.

First, I completed the windscreen

Then I fitted the interior panels to both sides. Whilst I was doing this, Wifey decided it was and ideal opprtunity for an IVA/DVLA photo - not my finest moment

Next job was to finalise the fixing positions for the scuttle, which is all ready for final fitting now, But I need to pick up another tube of silicone.

Finally, whilst I had the scuttle off drilling fixing holes, I redrilled the top mounting bracket for the steering column, which moved the position of the wheel about 15mm towards the centre of the car, which has given a much more central and comfy position. Before it was a bit too far towards the outside of the car.

I am glad I did not cover the dashboard now, as I will need to open up the hole for the column to suit the new position.

[Mark (smokey mow)]

Next job was to finalise the fixing positions for the scuttle, which is all ready for final fitting now, But I need to pick up another tube of silicone.

IMO I wouldn't put silicone between the mating surfaces of the scuttle and the tub. Been there and then it took hours to separate the two at a later date

Bolt the scuttle down and then seal the sides and the front with a fillet of silicone then smooth it off with a damp finger that will make everything water proof and then should you need to take the scuttle off again later you can do so by running a sharp knife throught the thin face bead.

[TIG Brother]

IMO I wouldn't put silicone between the mating surfaces of the scuttle and the tub. Been there and then it took hours to separate the two at a later date

Bolt the scuttle down and then seal the sides and the front with a fillet of silicone then smooth it off with a damp finger that will make everything water proof and then should you need to take the scuttle off again later you can do so by running a sharp knife throught the thin face bead.

Agree with mark here

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

never underestimate the power of Silicon to join two pieces of grp!

[KugaWestie]

IMO I wouldn't put silicone between the mating surfaces of the scuttle and the tub. Been there and then it took hours to separate the two at a later date

Bolt the scuttle down and then seal the sides and the front with a fillet of silicone then smooth it off with a damp finger that will make everything water proof and then should you need to take the scuttle off again later you can do so by running a sharp knife throught the thin face bead.

Ok thanks - I did wonder!

never underestimate the power of Silicon to join two pieces of grp!

I know - it can disguise itself well as a good glue

I still need to buy another tube after unloading what I had in stock on the windscreen joint

[Tom Frankland (T3OMF)]

IMO I wouldn't put silicone between the mating surfaces of the scuttle and the tub. Been there and then it took hours to separate the two at a later date

Bolt the scuttle down and then seal the sides and the front with a fillet of silicone then smooth it off with a damp finger that will make everything water proof and then should you need to take the scuttle off again later you can do so by running a sharp knife throught the thin face bead.

Spot on

Took me about 3 hours to get mine apart and then about 2 hours cleaning the scuttle and Tub of silicone

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

And there's at least one owner I know of that destroyed a scuttle trying to sepperate a siliconed joint.

[KugaWestie]

Good job I had not got any - lucky escape, the wisdom of you all strikes again

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

FWIW, cause I wanted a little more of a seal than I'd had previously on my scuttle. (only ever did the under-bonnet joint when I was aeroscreened). I did pretty much as Smokey said on the side joins to the tub, just applying a tiny bead to the already assembled joint and smoothing over with a wet fingertip to take out any excess. The under bonnet join to the aluminium was a little trickier, because of obstructions I can put a bead on after assembly. So I did put a very narrow bead under the joint before assembling it. Having done it that way before though, I know it will come apart OK when the need arises! (hurriedly touches wood etc )

[Dommo]

Keep up the good work (and progress!)... nice to see there's light at the end of this wiring tunnel

[Captain Colonial]

FWIW, mine has some flat rubber strips with an edging bead sandwiched between the scuttle and the tub that seems to work just fine without being a permanent bond.