J15 Body Fitting and Drive Belts

[kdempsie]

Folks,

I'm starting to trial fit some of the body work on my J15 and had a quick question to others who have already done it. The sills don't seem to fit straight on and look like they will need trimmed, is that the same experience as others? I don't want to start removing bits if I'm just missing something.

I'm also getting a belt for the alternator but am wondering how it gets adjusted on a Duratec engine with the fixed alternator and spring idler. I can't quite figure out how the idler gets pretensioned. Anyone been here before?

Thanks,

Keith.

[kdempsie]

What do you think folks, do you think I am OK to trim the sills?

Keith.

[Paul AS]

Hi Keith,

Sorry I missed your first request. Must have been sleeping.

Yes - you will quite possibly need to trim the sills both top and bottom to get them right.

I spent a long time (not quite long enough) trial fitting the bodywork to try and get it right, as there are so many "moving parts" to get right.

My advice would be to get the car on its wheels, and buy a lot of gaffer tape! The wheels will tell you how central the bodywork is! They will also allow you adjust the arch gaps, fore and aft, whilst you still can. Work out the centre line of the main tub, bonnet and rear clamshell and mark them on with a wax crayon. The GRP will absorb some marker pens so be careful! Trial fit EVERYTHING before you drill any holes. Its very easy to get all 5 pieces matching each other, and then find out the whole body work is offset. You will end up taking it all on and off dozens of times to make adjustments. If its not in the way, don't cut it off - you may need it later.

The recesses for the roll bar are an absolute pain to get right, but they dictate many other things afterwards.

Be Patient and get someone to help you with the on / off on / off process - it will save you hours and avoid damage to your lovely powder coat, which BTW should be well masked up for obvious reasons.

GRP is notorious for changing shape whilst being stored so it may need to be fitted under a "certain amount of tension" to get it all straight.

Measure at least twice - cut once. You can't add bits back on, but you can take more off - be conservative.

There are a few build photos on my Locostbuilders photo archive that may the helpful - I have the same user name

If you think I can be of any further help, please PM or U2U me either here or on Locostbuilders.

Good Luck

Paul

[kdempsie]

Paul,

Thanks for that, I might get the chance this weekend to get started on it.

Keith.