Fuse Board

Long Overdue Update

Finally found some time to update the blog. Following the last post re the clutch lever, my friend Nigel got to work with the welder and fixed the upright permanently. I now have this primed and painted.

Next item to tackle was the starter motor, which was fouling the engine mount bracket on the left side. A small cut out has solved this issue.

I've also been looking around various auction websites and other blogs to find a lower profile engine sump, as the standard FIAT Argenta sump is very deep, which would have needed some serious modifying to prevent bottoming out. (I know that the standard Zero Zetec needs a sump mod to prevent the same issue)......Eventually found one on a FIAT blog site, which was for sale by a chap from Milan. Amazingly it's an OEM item, with a flatter winged lower section and I also found that he had a matching oil pump and a new clutch lever seal, so great opportunity. Sent him a note and eventually agreed a price, so I am very happy with this outcome.

 

 



Nigel's input continued earlier this year when he donated his car support trolleys to my project, these are a superb addition as they allow me to move the car from side to side as required, which, in a tight garage, makes things so much easier to access.

 

 

Next task was to sort out an alternator, the clearance between the FIAT block and the steering column was minimal, so I set about trying to find an alternative. Finally settled on one so that clearance is maximised. This meant I needed to fabricate a new tensioner bracket and find the right belt length to suit the new pulley diameter. All worked out well in the end........another wee challenge overcome. Thanks to Nigel again for getting his hands on some angled mild steel to make the bracket from.

 

 

Next job was the brake pipes, I did some research mainly on other Zero bloggers sites (thanks guys) and settled on the routing for the pipes. Also used transparent plastic pipe to protect the brake pipe from chaffing at bends etc. All good, just need to clip these after I get the fuel pipes in and finalised.

 

 

 

Next job was to pre-fit some of the luggage compartment panels, I'll leave the two outers until after the fuel tank is in for good and I have the loom fitted. These though, were easy to get sorted out, I'll use some rubber sheet as gasket material under the horizontal centre panel which is removeable.

 



 

I've also got the fuel pump and filter mounted, ready to route the pipes to the tank and the engine.

 

 

I've also had the interior panels etch primed and painted to stop corrosion, chap from work did the painting and made a fine job, so now starting to get these installed finally.

 

 

The latest plan is to install the two stainless side panels. Everything was in place to do this yesterday, but I opened the sealant tube to find that the sealant was partly set, so that was the end of that. Check the expiry date on these tubes and ensure they are still in date. the tubes available from Kit Spares just say 'at least one year shelf life'..........which isn't much good but there is an etch printed date on the top, so check this is very recent if buying from here..... I've managed to buy some locally so hopefully get these on soon, which will let me get all the suspension on and start thinking of the rear panel install.......

 

More soon........