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MkIV build. I am getting ready to start installing the cockpit Al today. I have read several posts that say don't install panels until you have to. I hate to waste time taking them on and off. Are there certain panels I should cleco in place for now or should I stick with the build manual, which has been very good so far? Thanks.
Ernest
Hi Ernest
I put them al in place permanent exept over the transmission, outside of the left foot box and on top of the left foot box. Remember to use screw on the on top cover for transmission. I also recomend you to make a hole in the top of left foot box to have access to that area in future maintenance and adjustment of brakes if you use Wilwood pedals. Remember that the hole (with an lid) must be reachable from the engine area after the body has been put on.
Good luck!
//Peter
Ernest, another thing. Remember to make a much bigger hole for the wiring out to the engine area before you put that panel in place permanent.
//Peter
Thanks Peter, just the kind of stuff I would forget about.
Ernest
JimiD
11-18-2011, 08:43 AM
Hi Ernest
I put them al in place permanent exept over the transmission, outside of the left foot box and on top of the left foot box. Remember to use screw on the on top cover for transmission. I also recomend you to make a hole in the top of left foot box to have access to that area in future maintenance and adjustment of brakes if you use Wilwood pedals. Remember that the hole (with an lid) must be reachable from the engine area after the body has been put on.
Good luck!
//Peter
I'm kinda where Ernest is too. When I was putting the pedal assembly in all I kept saying was "how do you get to this later" you answered that. Do yo have any pic's of the access hole for the brake area?
thanks
jim
jlfernan
11-18-2011, 08:54 AM
Here's my hole. I used anchor-nuts and screws to secure it. The curve in it was determined by the hood opening.
http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/3734/dscf2692.jpg
http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/2561/jorgec.jpg (http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/private.php?do=newpm&u=111)
Jeff Kleiner
11-18-2011, 10:16 AM
I've found, at least for me, that the entire passenger side footbox can be permanently assembled early without it creating access issues as the build progresses. On the driver's side you'll need to get the front bulkhead panel in early as well as the engine side panel. At that point you might as well do the DS footbox floor. Everything else I drill and fit but just hold in place with a few clecos (some guys use one in every hole---I don't see the point) or set them aside and wait to do permanent installation until after you have run brake and fuel lines, electrical and anything else that you might need easy access for. The driver's side LH panel I leave out all the way up until it's time to glue carpet to it; much easier to insulate and carpet the floor and around the pedals without it. Last thing to be riveted in is the DS footbox top right before the body goes on for the final time.
While we're talking aluminum panels, if you are using a Windsor based engine you CAN gain some room on the right side of the driver's footbox and I highly recommend that you consider it. Here are some photos and description of what I did on a Mk4 that I built last year:
Before, with the flat panel:
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj43/jkleiner/Mk4 7276/100_1658.jpg
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj43/jkleiner/Mk4 7276/100_1660.jpg
And after I cut a triangle out of the lower engine side panel and bent up "pyramid" to provide some extra room around the throttle pedal:
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj43/jkleiner/Mk4 7276/100_1662.jpg
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj43/jkleiner/Mk4 7276/100_1665.jpg
Here are the dimensions:
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj43/jkleiner/Mk4 7276/100_1662-1-1.jpg
Anything you can do to gain some extra room is worth every bit of the effort. If you are using a donor pedal box bending the pedals to position them for your preference is crucial as well.
Good luck,
Jeff
Ernest, Jim
Another thing, remember to put the rivets in from outside of cockpit, the inside will be covered with carpet so better to see the rivets from a better view.
Jeff, nice work but why dont just press the panel out as much possible and rivet an extra panel in 90' along the 4" tube and rive it together. That workes fine for me, the right foot will be on some of the pedals anyway. Better to put in a support pedal for the left foot.
//Peter
AZPete
11-19-2011, 11:53 AM
Ernest, I agree with others that you should plan on access to the top of the driver's footbox. Here's another way that's simple. I just made the top holes open so the piece will slide out and the other edges are fastened with screws. (Why didn't I rivet the FFR plate over the hole in the footbox top I didn't use? Duh.)
Pete
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb180/AZPeteCobra/driverfootboxtop.jpg
Great stuff. Thanks for all the ideas. I am thinking of using some stainless sheet metal screws for the top driver panel or make an access hole. I may try the extra space mod for the pedals. Luckily I have small feet.