Heater & Steering Column

April 4th

The other car decided to die today so have had to spend a bit of time getting this one up and running. After a bit of investigation thinking it was the starter motor, found that the ignition switch was at fault (with help from the RAC!!). So while out shopping for the bit decided I needed some bits from a donor "bubble" 216 Rover. Got the bit for my broken car gear assembly and rear drum braked hubs. Sunday went to Detling and got a washer bottle. So even though the weekend was spent shopping, it was worth while shopping. Started today tackling the heater. After studying the pictures on the CD ROM, still could not work out what they meant. So after taking a few bits off the heater and looking at the Rover manual, started working out the different bits. This is the same picture as on the CD. But these are the bits NOT needed. Ah all becomes clear after the event!!

After studying the CD for the bits to cut off, found that these two plastic brackets need to be cut off from the fan assembly. The marking out on the CD showed the line to cut but I need verification from other photo's that these brackets did indeed need to be cut off.

So after a bit of trimming and filing I was happy that I had cut all the right bits off!! I just hope the heater works. After reading about another 5EXI builders experiences off heaters (he is on his third now http://www.5exi.741.com/ with lots of pop ups), I can only hope!!! I know, I know, I should had check it before stripping.

Cleaned up all the little metal clips that hold the cables and casing. This was because there was a lot of surface rust on them and I thought while I have it here.... Some people may think this is a pointless exercise because it's not going to be seen etc, but it did not take long to do with a bit of rust eater and wet and dry paper.

April 5th

Carried on with the heater today. Followed diagrams on CD. Drilled holes in adapter plate and fan assembly. Supplied lots of panel bonding to fan assembly and self tapped some screws in threw the adapter plate to hold adapter plate to fan assembly. Then laid heater assembly onto of adapter plate again supplying plenty of panel bonding to heater assembly before laying onto adapter plate. for good measure I then panel bonded all round the edges of fan, adapter plate and heater.

April 6th

Decided today that the roll cage needed to go back on. This was main to create a bit of space. But before this was done, I needed to finish off drilling the holes for the centre tunnel. This was for convenience only. So I Marked and drill holes for centre tunnel. Then found that one rivinut from the floor section would have met!! So made another hole in the tunnel to accommodate. Trial fitted heater/fan assembly. As previously read else where I need to get a bracket to help support fan assembly. Lucky I had one in my odds & sods biscuit tin. Bent with some pliers to get rough shape.

Fitted roll cage. This involved a lot of muscle and swinging on the cage to get back in the holes. Then I wanted to actually see something's happening mechanically. So fitted the steering column. I found it easier to completely undo both ends of UV joint and fit the rack side first. Then with a piece of wood, hammered steering column down to make column shorter. This just collapsed the column as would when fitted in car.

Fitted using 4 supplied bolts. The 2 big washers closest to steering wheel. Bolted UV joint back and hey. I have a start for my steering. I can see my first mechanical movement.

I decided to fit the handbrake. Just a couple of bolts. It's beginning to resemble a car now. A very pleasing day's work.


	Heater & Steering Column April 4th The other car decided to die today so have had to spend a bit of time getting this one up and running. After a bit of investigation thinking it was the starter motor, found that the ignition switch was at fault (with help from the RAC!!). So while out shopping for the bit decided I needed some bits from a donor "bubble" 216 Rover. Got the bit for my broken car gear assembly and rear drum braked hubs. Sunday went to Detling and got a washer bottle. So even though the weekend was spent shopping, it was worth while shopping. Started today tackling the heater. After studying the pictures on the CD ROM, still could not work out what they meant. So after taking a few bits off the heater and looking at the Rover manual, started working out the different bits. This is the same picture as on the CD. But these are the bits NOT needed. Ah all becomes clear after the event!! After studying the CD for the bits to cut off, found that these two plastic brackets need to be cut off from the fan assembly. The marking out on the CD showed the line to cut but I need verification from other photo's that these brackets did indeed need to be cut off. So after a bit of trimming and filing I was happy that I had cut all the right bits off!! I just hope the heater works. After reading about another 5EXI builders experiences off heaters (he is on his third now http://www.5exi.741.com/ with lots of pop ups), I can only hope!!! I know, I know, I should had check it before stripping. Cleaned up all the little metal clips that hold the cables and casing. This was because there was a lot of surface rust on them and I thought while I have it here.... Some people may think this is a pointless exercise because it's not going to be seen etc, but it did not take long to do with a bit of rust eater and wet and dry paper. April 5th Carried on with the heater today. Followed diagrams on CD. Drilled holes in adapter plate and fan assembly. Supplied lots of panel bonding to fan assembly and self tapped some screws in threw the adapter plate to hold adapter plate to fan assembly. Then laid heater assembly onto of adapter plate again supplying plenty of panel bonding to heater assembly before laying onto adapter plate. for good measure I then panel bonded all round the edges of fan, adapter plate and heater. April 6th Decided today that the roll cage needed to go back on. This was main to create a bit of space. But before this was done, I needed to finish off drilling the holes for the centre tunnel. This was for convenience only. So I Marked and drill holes for centre tunnel. Then found that one rivinut from the floor section would have met!! So made another hole in the tunnel to accommodate. Trial fitted heater/fan assembly. As previously read else where I need to get a bracket to help support fan assembly. Lucky I had one in my odds & sods biscuit tin. Bent with some pliers to get rough shape. Fitted roll cage. This involved a lot of muscle and swinging on the cage to get back in the holes. Then I wanted to actually see something's happening mechanically. So fitted the steering column. I found it easier to completely undo both ends of UV joint and fit the rack side first. Then with a piece of wood, hammered steering column down to make column shorter. This just collapsed the column as would when fitted in car. Fitted using 4 supplied bolts. The 2 big washers closest to steering wheel. Bolted UV joint back and hey. I have a start for my steering. I can see my first mechanical movement. I decided to fit the handbrake. Just a couple of bolts. It's beginning to resemble a car now. A very pleasing day's work.