McLaren M20#73

[Andy R]

Keeping at it, albeit at a slow pace.
Rear of the front clip are attached via 6 Zeus fasteners.
The front splitters are ply with woven fibreglass mat wrap. Front tunnels all complete with inspection panel in tyre wells.
Just attached the form panels to glass the front quarters back together.
Cant wait for the sanding to end and the wiring to start.
Andrew.

 

[Mesa]

Getting phrases from other parts from the world is part of the fun here
"A bit of a roady on the other side of the ditch"

"Can't wait for the sanding to end"
Never have words so true ever been spoken (when it comes to fiberglass fabrication)

 

[Andy R]

The front clip is nearly complete. Onto the doors and massage the rear of the front clip to align up. Thought about building the front wing but I want the body work mess to end so am soldering on.

 

[Mark H.]

Can you tell me the alloy and gauge of the aluminum sheet you used for the tub ? Thanks

 

[Andy R]

Hi Mark, thanks for tagging along. You'll find all that information in my first post.
I spoke to the aluminium oracle at Ullrich Aluminium here in Wellington all those years ago, whom recommended using the 5052 H34.
Floor 2mm, Main beams 2.5mm, side pods 1.2, all the rest is either 1.2mm or 1.6mm. All Steel bulkheads 2.5mm.
A.

 

[Mark H.]

Sorry, not sure how I missed that. Like your build, exceptional!

 

[Andy R]

Just cracking open a beer so time for an update.
Formed the passenger side door to match the tub contour and glassed the inside. Also forming the rear of the front clip to align with the door. Will glass that tomorrow. Door gaps will be 2.5mm.
Think about next steps - Installing Brake/Clutch lines. I have all the bits so just need to get it done.
Also finalising my Wiring needs. I have the MS3Pro Ultimate - unterminated wiring looms, all the SSR(solid state relays) and Fuse blocks, Diodes, Resistors, Hall sensors etc, and the crimping tools required to complete job.
Ordered a CWA400 PWM electric water pump so that can be controlled by the MS3pro along with the electric fans via PWM controls. ICT remote water pump kit also jetting its way to NZ. Never was quite happy my water pump setup as it didn't have enough belt wrap around the w/pump pulley, that could have been fixed with another idler pulley, but what I got coming is better.
I'm gonna alter the mess that is the front of M20's. McLaren originally had a bull nose leading edge, but after Denny's mishap, they hurriedly fitted aluminum nose cones. Guessing it was to reduce the air under the car and maybe mimic the 917's. My replica mold copied this in Fibreglass which I dislike, so time to break out some more fibreglass and elbow grease.
Getting it done..
Andrew.

 

[Leon]

Hi Andy,

More great progress, just reading all your electrical trickery sends me into a head spin but modern ECMs make for so much better drivability and performance compared to the old mechanical systems like I have. Your attention to detail and fit are far more show room quality than the originals and my RACE car fit and finish. This is a master class in build quality. Not sure if you have popped into the CARS INC yet but it is worth the time. My car will be leaving there at Christmas and going to the South Island I'm going to run it at the SCOPE Classic. Keep up the work mate we might get to run the 2 cars together, wouldn't that be something.

Cheers Leon

 

[Andy R]

Leon, look forward to hearing how you go down South. And yes it would.
The Pierburg CWA400 water pump and ICT remote mount water kit turned up.
Nearly completed the remodelling of the front end. Final sand and hi build primer to go.
Left door nearly complete.
A.

 

[Andy R]

Left door and front left clip completed.
Fitted AeroCatch 220-2000 bolt action latches.
Been chipping away at the front wing ribs while the fibreglass filler and paint was drying. Construction will be the same as the rear wing and shape. Will add a splitter to the front of wing to match the side Splitters.
5" bell mouth and 6mm ss mesh showed up, will make a short intake from fibreglass, to the prochager in the passenger side back rest
A.

 

[Russell]

Fantastic work there Andy, looking good. Keep the pics coming.

Hi Andy, some time since I was on here, great to see your progress still going at such a high build quality, I look forward to the day when we get to see it running. Truely one of the best builds ever. Regards Russell. ( I am still active just not building, running the `RUSSOLINI` FJ replica this weekend. Cheers

 

[Udo Selter]

Looking great Andy.

 

[Neil]

Left door and front left clip completed.
Fitted AeroCatch 220-2000 bolt action latches.
Been chipping away at the front wing ribs while the fibreglass filler and paint was drying. Construction will be the same as the rear wing and shape. Will add a splitter to the front of wing to match the side Splitters.
5" bell mouth and 6mm ss mesh showed up, will make a short intake from fibreglass, to the prochager in the passenger side back rest
A.

What NACA profile do you plan to use for your wing?

 

[Andy R]

Russell and Udo, please post some pics vid of your cars in action.
Neil, see post 213. Seagull...
I got a little side tracked and am finishing off the front wing and splitter. Just waiting on some more rivets to attach splitter. Will turn up 2 rear bushings to support rear of the wing to body work.
Drivers side door still in progress.
Andrew.

 

[Neil]

Russell and Udo, please post some pics vid of your cars in action.
Neil, see post 213. Seagull...
I got a little side tracked and am finishing off the front wing and splitter. Just waiting on some more rivets to attach splitter. Will turn up 2 rear bushings to support rear of the wing to body work.
Drivers side door still in progress.
Andrew.

We have taken two different approaches to building a rear wing. I used NACA 4412 profile and I made a forming block from hard maple. I hammered out 6061-T4 ribs on it and skinned it with 0.016" 2024- T3. As the old proverb says, "There is more than one way to skin a cat."

 

[Leon]

Hi Andy, I see you are using the fancy clips/pins for your door/rear clam locks, I used those on the rear clam as well, I hope you used a better quality product than what I got, the ones I have are rubbish. As for the rest of it, I'm in awe of how the finish is turning out. The build quality is second to none and like everyone who follows this can't wait to see and hear it running. I'm taking mine out of the Cars Inc museum next month to run it at the Scope Classic at Ruapuna at the end of January. Hoping for some decent video footage which I will post on here.

Cheers Leon

 

[Russell]

Andy, These were taken at a small asphalt event were you Finnish via a large radius turn, full throttle in second gear inches from disaster...or so it seems. Built the car `just for fun` and it delivers heaps, everyone just loves it I suppose because that what race cars looked like.
Merry Christmas

 

[Andy R]

Leon, the Aero catches work great. Look forward to following the Ruapuna Scope Classic.
Russel fun +. She's must be nice and reliable which helps with the enjoyment factor.

The M20 is inching it's way forward. Front wing complete and I'm still working on the drivers door. End of Dec was a bit hard to allocate time to the build.
The whole front before the wheels I'm hoping should work as a low pressure zone.
Andrew

 

[Andy R]

Progress. The drivers door is fitted. Body is about 99% complete. Still need to make the front brake air ducts but I'm moving on to more fun stuff.
Moved the front body Zeus clips to the bottom skirt lip as I didn't like the brackets jutting up from the tub. They were diffinently more accessible from the outside but I like them clamping down.
Currently installing brake and clutch lines. Waiting on a few parts to complete.
Installed the sound system in the back seat rest(aka bell mouth air intake).
The new electric water pump and ICT kit will be next on the to do list.
I've unpacked all the electrical and MS3PRO kit to get my head around that pile. Looking forward togetting that installed.
There seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel. Keeping at it.
Andrew.

 

[Andy R]

Should be fun, I'm colour blind.