Westfield rebuild - and so it begins

[Marks DTM Calib]

Lol, it always made me chuckle when I visitied Westfield.

They claim that the chassis's are all precision and impossible for others to make etc and yet when you saw them doing it I always thought 'what a joke'

You have now seen the issue first hand! 

Just a point, the black goo (as in cam cover stuff) is a BAD idea for that joint....you want oil cooler cover goo

The sales guys do talk some rubbish about their chassis construction..

However, in my experience, you won't find other kit / low volume manufacturers doing much different. Having been involved in a few kit car builds Westfield is the only one that hasn't needed hacking-about just to get things to fit in the first place.

And yes, agreed. Oil cooler sealant would have been better if it'd been to hand.

Kevin

I am more worried than that, having seen oil cooler plates which have been fitted using cam cover goo and they start leaking within weeks, I suspect it wont hold.

[Gaffers]

It may be late but I have some spare grey stuff here

[Kevin Wood]

It may be late but I have some spare grey stuff here

I might grab a blob of if off you next time our paths cross, if that's OK?

Unlike the oil cooler, at least this is easy to inspect / get to.

Kevin

[Gaffers]

It may be late but I have some spare grey stuff here

I might grab a blob of if off you next time our paths cross, if that's OK?

Unlike the oil cooler, at least this is easy to inspect / get to.

Kevin

Well looks like the welding will be finished by the end of the weekend so I should be able to return your kit next week so I could bring it then.  No pub lunch this time as I'll be in full garb and not allowed in pubs

[Kevin Wood]

It may be late but I have some spare grey stuff here

I might grab a blob of if off you next time our paths cross, if that's OK?

Unlike the oil cooler, at least this is easy to inspect / get to.

Kevin

Well looks like the welding will be finished by the end of the weekend so I should be able to return your kit next week so I could bring it then.  No pub lunch this time as I'll be in full garb and not allowed in pubs

Oh, well. Chippy, perhaps? Or picnic at Fleet pond. 

Kevin

[Gaffers]

It may be late but I have some spare grey stuff here

I might grab a blob of if off you next time our paths cross, if that's OK?

Unlike the oil cooler, at least this is easy to inspect / get to.

Kevin

Well looks like the welding will be finished by the end of the weekend so I should be able to return your kit next week so I could bring it then.  No pub lunch this time as I'll be in full garb and not allowed in pubs

Oh, well. Chippy, perhaps? Or picnic at Fleet pond. 

Kevin

ha ha, it's a date 

[Kevin Wood]

It may be late but I have some spare grey stuff here

I might grab a blob of if off you next time our paths cross, if that's OK?

Unlike the oil cooler, at least this is easy to inspect / get to.

Kevin

Well looks like the welding will be finished by the end of the weekend so I should be able to return your kit next week so I could bring it then.  No pub lunch this time as I'll be in full garb and not allowed in pubs

Oh, well. Chippy, perhaps? Or picnic at Fleet pond. 

Kevin

ha ha, it's a date 

I'll bring my Tartan Rug.

Kevin

[tidla]

what gearbox do you use?

(looks like an upside down transit box)

[Kevin Wood]

what gearbox do you use?

(looks like an upside down transit box)

It's a Ford MT75, which did indeed get used in the Transit for a while.

Up sides:
Reasonably light as it has an aluminium casing and bell housing.
Handles plenty of power reliably
Nice, crisp feel to the shift once you've taken out all the spongy bits in the mechanism

Down sides:
Nobody makes sensible priced alternative gearkits for it
First gear is great for towing pikey wagons, not launching light sports cars



Kevin

[MartinP]

Kevin, started mine again, spent 5 weeks at the powdercoaters, (had to wait that long as it was free)

Fuel pipes & diff fitted tonight.



Martin

[Kevin Wood]

Excellent.. I can tell this rebuild will leave me pining for another project.

That also reminds me.. I have one of those subframes rotting away in the back garden.

Time to get out into the garage, I think. I'm expecting it to be running by the end of the day.

Kevin

[feeutfo]

Best of luck Kev, and good job Martin

[Auto Addict]

Excellent.. I can tell this rebuild will leave me pining for another project.

That also reminds me.. I have one of those subframes rotting away in the back garden.

Time to get out into the garage, I think. I'm expecting it to be running by the end of the day.

Kevin

...but will it tow a caravan....

[Kevin Wood]

So, engine's now in...

Oil cooler and remote filer, horns and a bit of plumbing added.

Nosecone including radiator mounted.

.. and on to the interior.

Transmission tunnel panel replaced

Hmm. Just got to reunite this wiring with the dashboard...

Job done, and all working. Mental note to clean windscreen before driving.

Rear calipers had to come off for bleeding to get a decent pedal due to some trapped air.

Interior fitted.

..and there we have it. Should be in an MOT'able state.

Engine fired up after cranking with no plugs for oil pressure. Purred like a kitten. Actually, I lie. It rattled so badly I wondered if I'd dropped a b0ll0ck with the cam timing but once the lifters had filled, it runs sweetly.

It's mechanically back together and just needs MOT and tax. Cosmetically needs a good clean and polishing out of some battle scars but, ugly or not, at least it's looking likely to be touring Scotland the week after next.

Kevin

[feeutfo]

Well done Kev, been a busy boy.