Air filter

Installed metal grid and air filter over Weber carburetor 

Last but not least

Received rebuilt Jones Tach and tach cable and installed it. 

Cushions for steering tack

Due to the little room in the footwell I installed two foam roll cushions in the steering rack in order to protect my shins. 

 

First Test Drive

Today came the day we were waiting for for over 3 years. The very first test drive!!. I strapped my bicycle safety lamps to the frame, wore my safety color jacket and strapped in. Surprisingly everything went perfect. The Lola shifted, braked and accelerated as expected. We terrorized the neighborhood by circling the block several times ...until darkness forced us back into garage. 

Research and Revelation

We stuck a boroscope in one of the freeze plugs just above the fuel pump and found what looked like a scraped and damaged area in the oil pan. With the assistance of a long screwdriver we carefully hammered out the baffle in the pan and hoped for the best. Indeed- after putting everything back together the noise is nearly gone. We suspect it will disappear all together as the baffle will grind away.

Noise

After firing up engine we heard a knocking noise which seems to be coming from the oil pan. Not great news but part of the process. 

It could be a connecting rod hitting the aluminum oil pan or an oil scraper. 

We will now remove one of the plugs above one of the oil pumps and see what to do about it. 

Engine was rebuilt and no noise was heard - however it had a different oil pan on it. So we suspect it's the aluminum oil pan. 

Would hate to have to take engine out again after being 99.9% done but let's see. ...

Exhaust wrap

Wrapped exhaust 

Valve cover breather hose

Had to buy a step down adapter to marry valve cover breather hose with oil tank. Pep Boys had it. 

Safety wires

Coolant, fuel and oil caps were drilled and received a stainless wire safety lanyard covered by a stylish hose. 

Heat Shield

Rear body received radiant heat shield treatment which will prevent hot exhaust from burning fiberglass body. It was a self stick backing so was easy to apply. 

Upper link bushings

Ordered aluminum bushings from McMaster and enlarged holes on lathe. Also had to sane them to make them fit. Worked well and there is no more slop in the rear suspension (at least from that area ..)

Labeling of covers

Thought it would be a good idea to label fluid covers as they are so close together. They still need to be safety wired. 

Rain light

Electrics still need hooking up ...

Rear body brackets

Today fabricated two aluminum rear body brackets and riveted the Dzeus receptors on. Installed them on top transaxle housing. 

Rear body

Aligned and installed rear body Dzeus fasteners which was tricky as perfect alignment between rivet and spring are crucial for correct function. All worked out ...

Mirrors

Installed Pegasus racing mirrors today. Nice quality and they should be easy to adjust and vibration free. 

Side Dzeus Fastener Installed

New carbon dash

Headrest