Propane Torch...

Went to the local hardware store and bought a bottle of propane.

Attached the old torch on it.

It doesn't self light, like newer torches but it works fine.

The flame size/strength can be adjusted with the knob.

Can get it down to a pretty small/narrow flame.

Will use this to get the air bubbles out of the epoxy...

 

Shadow -- Part 7

 

Mixed up some epoxy...

Used a small glass jar to mix a small amount of epoxy for a test.

Placed a small amount of the mica color powder in the jar first.

This was a mistake.

Next time, I'll first put the epoxy in the container and slowly add small amounts of the mica to get it to the desired color/tint.

Added the epoxy.

It's a 1 to 1 mix with the catalyst.

Thoroughly mixed with a stick.

Used this depression in an axe to test the epoxy.

The epoxy settles after a few minutes.

It's self leveling.

The consistency of the epoxy is on the more fluid side so it moves and settles slowly.

The working time is pretty long (at least 30 minutes).

The full setting time is 3 days.

 

Lotus Esprit Book -- Part 13

 

Friday, February 26, 2021 -- Manhattan Beach Pier - yet another beautiful day (low 70s)

 

Shadow -- Part 6

 

MGB Battery... part 2

Bought a replacement Odyssey battery (through the mail).

It's larger than the old one that was in the MGB.

The old one was a PC925. (Meant to be used on Powersports products like ATVs or Side-by-Sides.

The new one is a PC1200.

It's physically larger and has more CCA (540) and Capacity (42 Ah).

It doesn't come with automotive type of posts.

Had to buy an adaptor.

Adaptors installed.

The Positive post is larger diameter than the negative post (this is typical for automotive batteries).

There's an Allen head bolt (6 mm) that holds the posts in place).

The old battery is pretty small (the footprint is about 6" x 6").

Because it was too small for the well, there was some folded cardboard stuffed into the sides to keep the battery from moving around.

The zip-ties were to keep the battery from falling over.

Pretty "bodged"...

One other, and more serious problem, is that the fuel pump connection was touching the battery.

The arrow on the right side of the picture is pointing to where the fuel pump hose/clamp connection is contacting the battery, towards the bottom of the battery, near the tray.

With the battery out of the car, you can see that the electric fuel pump has been mounted to a diagonal brace in the battery area and that the hose/clamp at the 90 degree fitting in actually sitting inside the periphery of the battery tray.

The electric fuel pump is not original and the way it was installed is another "bodge" that's pretty poorly done...

More zoomed out view of the interference...

Not good...

Removed the two mounting bolts for the fuel pump.

Need to reposition it so that the fitting/clamp/hose are not interfering with the battery.

This is approximately where the fuel pump should be located so as not to interfere with the battery.

Note that the top mounting hole for the fuel pump lines up.

The bottom mounting hole needs to move to the right about an inch.

That will allow the hose/clamp to clear the battery tray.

Working in the driveway.  Jacked up the rear to crawl under for repositioning the fuel pump.

It's a beautiful day (mid 70s)...

I used a small bracket (the bracket is nearly the same color as the fuel pump so it's hard to make out) to relocate the fuel pump.

It worked out pretty good (pretty solidly mounted).

There's lock washers under the bolts.

The new battery is nearly a perfect fit for the MGB 6V battery tray.

It's about 8" x 7" (the battery is slightly smaller than that).

I had this generic battery clamp.

Used it to hold down the battery.

Reconnected the cables & started the car.

It started in the first engine rotation!

Done for now.