March 2023

Back in August 2020 when I restamped the updated VIN to the chassis I felt I might be able to improve on the poor quality factory supplied VIN plate. Now that I have small milling machine with CNC control, I experiment with some aluminium sheet and engraving bits. I use Fusion 360 to import a copy of the Ultima Sports Ltd text along with typing in the new VIN. I am pretty pleased with the results.

Now that the centre tub has been secured it is time to fit out the dash. All gauges, buttons and tell-tale lamps are installed without any dramas.

The battery cables are tidied up the washer and brake reservoirs are fitted.

At this stage it is time to perform a final fit on the fuel system and then fit the engine

Back in April 2020 when the initial engine fit was performed I had to shorten the 'Autobionics' custom cooling S pipe.
Because I had removed the bead off of the end of the pipe, I need to recreate this to prevent the possibility of the silicon hose slipping off when under pressure. I investigate beading tools but for a single job they seem to be too much of a financial outlay. Further googling show some people had success by modifying a pair of vice grips so after watching a couple more videos I sacrifice a set of grips. The result was surprisingly good.

Finally it is time to refit the transaxle and fit the driveshafts.

To lower the car from the dolly I decide that the easiest and probably safest way was incrementally lowering each end. To achieve this I fabricate some longer stand inserts, starting with the longer ones and progressing down the sizes I lower it a couple of inches at a time 

Once at ground level I can sit the car on some wheel skates I have recently bought allowing some sideways mobility.