The engine mounting plates were cut out and the chassis tabs bolted to the bush tubes for trial fitting.
And then the joining tube, 38MM CDS was cut and shaped. Everything was lined up and then welded together.
With the mounts done, and the engine sitting square in the shell, it was time to fit the starter motor to the gearbox. The MX-5 box I'm using doesn't have a space for a starter, so I've had to make one.
With the starter now bolted into place, I could get the engine back in the shell and start lining up for making enough clearance space for the cylinder heads and the starter.
The starter needs a hole in the side panel, and a notch in the chassis rail.
And then both footwell tops were alter to clear the back of each head.
None of these bits have been welded up yet, in case I change my mind at some point about the amount of space I want. I doubt I will, but you never know.
So that was the engine side of things sorted for now, and it was on with the next step: the new transmission tunnel. There were the remains of the old tunnel to remove first so that I could start measuring up for the new design.
The first step was to fit a cross beam to the dash panel
And then I could get on with fitting the other tubes. I didn't get far before I ran out of time, but I now have a solid base from which to work.
