Carl McIver's entry, 5/20/2001:

In the month or so since I last took a few pictures, I've assembled the engine less a couple tiny things. I found out the radiator isn't good enough for a rodding out, so I'll go ahead and install the motor while I get the radiator and a couple other things (like cash!) together. Plus, on the day Huw and I took these photos, I discovered the bug in the background dropped a pushrod, so I'll be replacing a head instead of getting the garage ready for an engine install. Life has a way of happening while you're making other plans. By the way, that's not my Spit back there, doggone it!  (fm70893u)

And this is my bow of gratitude to Clifton Davis, Huw Upshall, and the rest of the TR7/TR8 mailing list for all their invaluable assistance and supplies! I don't think I could have done it without you!

All my recent time wasn't spent finishing up just the engine. I got to work on debugging the last few wiring problems such as defiant headlight mechanisms, burnt out bulbs, and corroded connections. I also whipped up this oil pressure sending unit bracket to support a 15 psi oil switch and an electric pressure sender. I used a tee and two 90 degree fittings from the auto parts store and sandwiched the ugly parts inside the bracket. A local industrial supplier made the hose for me for not too much. 

And to show me that oil pressure in style, I've created a dash addition to hold the new gauge I'm installing. Made it from ABS plastic from a hobby shop and a lot of filing. I haven't gotten the texture and color right yet, but I'm going to put it in anyway and work on that problem later. It isn't all that I wanted it to be (of course, nothing ever will be!) but I think it blends in a lot better than the mechanical one I mounted on the dash of my Anniversary Edition, which I modeled this gauge on.

I'm a bit of a stickler for wiring, being an electrician and all, so I made this bracket and terminal strip so I can make hookups simpler and hold the relay for the electric radiator fan. I can add stuff as I want without having to search for the right wires. I've always wanted to do that!

I also will swap the speedometer out with a 140 mph unit, now that I've adjusted the odometer reading to match what I have on the Spider. That has a special page here Speedo Calibration for that task.

The engine will be going in soon, and the list of things to do is getting very short indeed. I have lots more to do, of course, but my list has more of the stuff I'd like to do, which can wait until after the car is on the road. I've found myself pacing around the garage trying to figure out what I should do right then.

Stuff I still have to get or do after I install the engine:

Radiator re-cored
Cooling fan (already wired, just have to get one and install it)
Battery
Bleed clutch
All usual hookups
Fit and align the hood

So much shorter than last month. The anticipation is killing me!