MDA Mk1 with Gulf Arches - Martin P

[Martin]

I picked up my first major component yesterday, a 930 Transaxle. This is a little different, as the Porsche bellhousing has been machined away almost completely and in its place a Ford full size bellhousing. The clearances have been checked already by MDA so I know it will fit. The benefits as I see it, are that I can now use stock Ford components. The clutch I have is a full size centreforce item and the flywheel a full size aluminium unit. A major benefit seems to be that with this configuration, I can fit a full size starter motor, as it faces forward next to the engine, rather than backwards as with the Porsche mounting, limiting space to the chassis.
I have been very cautious with this, as this is not the normal route. Standard MDA offering is using Kennedy adaptor plate and Porsche components, so I have had the bellhousing sent down to MDA for trial fit. Fortunately it fitted with no need for modifications, so I went ahead and did the deal. I'm very happy with the box itself, as it was only reconditioned 8K miles ago with all new Synchros and dog teeth gears. It's from a 1977 Porsche Turbo so it does not have LSD.
The box also came with the slave cyclinder and release mechanism all in place with new bearings.

 

[Russ Noble]

That is an excellent setup Martin and is yet another interesting approach to the transaxle adaptor question. Looks to be nicely done as well.

Your car is looking good, great effort and a credit to you.

Cheers

 

[Martin]

Thanks Russ, I'm trying my best to do a job worthy of the car. Not a patch on what you're attempting though. I especially liked this transaxle conversion because with a bellhousing at least it looks period and closer to a ZF look than with just an adaptor plate. I must stress that I didn't do the conversion myself so I can't take credit for that. It'll be a while till it goes into the car though. I need an engine first !

 

[Tobias]

d***!! I want that gearbox!!!! is there some one who manufacture those or is it a one off?

 

[Martin]

Tobias,
The gearbox conversion was a one off I'm afraid. It's nicely done though, I was a little sceptical until I saw it. It certainly ticks all the boxes for me.

 

[Ron Earp]

Nice job on that Martin. Whoever did it could make some money tooling up for production. It is a nicer adaption in my opinion for the 930 to Ford for precisely the reasons you stated.

Ron

 

[Chris Martino]

Awesome setup Martin, love the bell housing vs adapter plate! I've long been a Porsche box fan (previous G50 owner) and now wondering if it was such a good idea to go ZF!

IMHO Mark at MDA has been extremely generous with his time to allow you guys to bring your goodies down for fitting and mods - wish I were closer to pop in and see everything that's going on!

Cheers-


Chris

 

[Martin]

I've now fixed the spider section down finally. I used M8 mushroom head bolts around the windscreen and M3 hex head bolts around the flange. On an MDA, there is a flange that seals onto the chassis. i used rivnuts to secure this section. The whole thing was sealed with Sikaflex sealant with a thin rubber membrane between the spider and chassis so there is no chance of any rubbing or squeeling or any ingress of water or air. Once tightened down it gave a really good seal.

 

[EGLITOM]

Martin,

The black panelling and black spider flange detailing looks great. I love that " racy look". nice craftmanship.

Happy holidays
TOM

 

[Gary Kadrmas]

Martin,

I may be missing something here......but where are your filler caps for petrol?

Your craftsmanship is first class!!!! Great job, and very well done!

 

[Jim S.]

Martin,

Out of curiosity, where did the clutch disk come from in order to get the proper spline for the 930???

Thanks in advance

 

[Martin]

Gary,
It's not you missing something, it's me. I've got them on order and will need to make holes in the flange to fit them. I may have to swap one or two of the mushroom head rivnuts for countersunk ones if the filler caps sit too close.
Jim,
Good question. The clutch was actually sent away to a porsche specialist and the correct spline was inserted. This was all done before I got it. I think it was quite a quick and inexpensive job. I may have the reciept hidden somewhere in the paperwork I got with it.

Thanks for the compliments guys, Have a very Happy Christmas and keep posting.

 

[Martin]

With the Spider down, I have spent some time finally aligning the doors (with the rubbers installed) together with the rear clip. The doors are now very close but they needed some trimming and adding of material to make sure the door contacted the rubbers ALL the way round with no air gaps. The rear clip was pretty good already but I decided to close the gap even further. Just me being fussy. I also got the rear lights in which makes the back end look more complete.

 

[Ron McCall]

Looking great!!! Can't wait to see it in paint!!!

 

[Martin]

Paint will be a while I'm afraid Ron.
I've been busy trying to get a solution for making my brake ducts functional as there is precious little space for any ducting on an MDA. However, I was rather determined, so i made my own. It just clears the rad bolt heads and sits above roll/sway bar. It directs air to the centre of the wheel and does not foul on full lock. I know it's not really needed for a road car and I may cap it off for road use but I wanted it there anyhow. I've ordered some original rear ducting so that should not be so troublesome. I've attached it semi permanantly with some rivnuts and Sikaflex as a seal.

 

[Martin]

Finished Vent from the front

 

[Peter Delaney]

Nice work Martin !

Probably a stupid question - but is there some particular reason why you did the brake cooling ducts from the front, rather than from the NACA ducts on top of the guards ?

Kind Regards,

Peter D.

 

[Martin]

Hi Peter,
These NACA ducts were originally designed for bringing fresh air to the eyball vents in the cockpit and I didn't want to stray away from the original intended use. Although these ducts are currently not used, I may open them up later. The front ducts are where the air was designed to be taken from for the brakes, all be it via a different route.
Cheers,
Martin

 

[Martin]

More glassfibre work !
I decided to have a go at closing the gaps between the inner wheel arches and the chassis. On my MDA you can see the wheels and suspension when you take the nostril panel off and look down the side. I didn't like this as I saw all manner of dirt and debrit getting into the front compartment over time, so I decided to close it. Not bad I think.

 

[Andy Green]

Lots of good ideas going onto your build - keep up the excellant work and keep the ideas flowing. What process did you use to mould your ducts, as I be interested in doing a similar job

Regards
Andy