Build Question MK4

[lewma]

All, I'm at the point in my build where the manual is talking about installing floor panels. Would it be better to install brake and fuel lines first before putting down the panels ? I'm thinking I loose easy access to the frame once those panels are in

Anything else I should be doing too before those panels are in ?

Thanks
Mark

[Al_C]

My opinion: wait as long as you can before you install the aluminum. You are correct that once those panels are in place, you'll have to do a lot from underneath the car. I have found it much easier to work on everything without the floor panels in yet. Finish off the panels in the engine bay before you install the engine, but wait on other aluminum.

[MPTech]

I didn't silicon & rivet my panels until after my first summer of driving in gel-coat. I drove to London Cobra Show with sheet metal screws every other hole (860 mile round trip).
No reason to be in a hurry. You can do it before you install your carpet, while your body is being painted.

[steno]

What they said!!

[FFinisher]

I install the driver front panel first. Make sure you use the correct one. Also make sure the passengers foot box in in before the motor goes in, the rest can wait.

[lewma]

That's basically where I am at this point. Driver front wall is in, passenger footbox is in, but outer wall is temporary. Manual was saying floors next...

[JoeAIII]

Cleco them all in so you can pull various panels out as needed for access.

[Murd]

Do absolutely everything you can without panels in. Try not to rivet them in until you are at the point where you can’t do the next step until it is in place.
Read someone post ages ago that installing panels is the most mindles part of the build, and he saved it for when he need a break from the harder parts of the build. I would agree and tried to do the same.

Just don’t put them on permanently until you absolutely have to and you should be good. Definitely you should have fully functional brakes fuel line, rolling chassis, possibly engine in before floors and rear cockpit aluminum goes in.

[Murd]

Oh and make sure upper trunk goes in before rear cockpit wall, manual was out of order on that, and the small side trunk panels before the big outside ones, also manual out of order

[GoDadGo]

1. Consider running the rear wiring harness before you install the trunk floor and fuel tank.
2. Also, you may want to drill the roll bar mounts before you install rear the cockpit aluminum.
3. All of the plumbing; fuel, brakes, and hydraulic clutch lines were done after the aluminum was in place with minimal fuss.

[lewma]

Thanks everyone for the feedback! At this point, only the passenger footbox is permanent along with the driver footbox front wall.

[Avalanche325]

Oh and make sure upper trunk goes in before rear cockpit wall, manual was out of order on that, and the small side trunk panels before the big outside ones, also manual out of order

This is the one that I really consider a necessity. I didn't and it was a real pain drilling and riveting the upper trunk floor.

[DadofThree]

My opinion: wait as long as you can before you install the aluminum. You are correct that once those panels are in place, you'll have to do a lot from underneath the car. I have found it much easier to work on everything without the floor panels in yet. Finish off the panels in the engine bay before you install the engine, but wait on other aluminum.

I agree with the comments regarding waiting as long as you can, and it paid off for me. A recent flywheel change was a lot easier coming from the top of the car, and I was able to because of the aluminum removal. Also, agree with the comment about drilling holes in the roll bar mounts before aluminum install. Just did that one myself. If it's your first build (as it is mine) the longer you can wait, the better off I think you'll be.

Happy building,
Dave

[GoDadGo]

Also, consider doing the "Coupler Nut Trick" for your rear quick jack/bumper bolts.
It keeps you from dropping the fuel tank to stick those suckers in.

[lewma]

Also, consider doing the "Coupler Nut Trick" for your rear quick jack/bumper bolts.
It keeps you from dropping the fuel tank to stick those suckers in.

Do you have a link to the "Coupler Nut Trick" ?