harvs

Not really! I've very much treated the build as an ongoing hobby rather than setting a target for getting it on the road... I've only gone in the garage when I've really felt like it and purposely tried not to feel guilty if I've not done anything on it for a while - there seems to be so many distractions (gardening in summer, too cold in winter (even with a heater!), DIY in the house, busy being away with work, weekends away with friends and relatives, children.... the list goes on and on!). But when I've been in the mood and had the time, I've really enjoyed being in the garage and seeing the build develop. As you've said, I think the majority of the time has been spent thinking how to do things, rather than actually doing them! Probably something like... 80% thinking time 15% first stab at doing it 5% doing it again, but properly! So, if I were to offer any advise, it would be to enjoy the build and don't worry how long it takes - it's a hobby, not a race!

Hi My windscreen passed the IVA fine. I used some rubber trim on the edges like this from wollies. My windscreen did have an E number on it - which the examiner was happy with. I went through a couple of showers on my trip to the IVA test, so it was useful having a screen and wipers. Plus if you pass with it on, you'll be on the road straight away after the test (well, DVLA permitting....) Good luck

Well, it took me closer to 6 years, so 2 years sounds like a cracking pace

When I had my IVA the tester said that the rear light set didn't have to be at 90 degrees, but the reflector (and fog lamp) did. I fixed the reflector for the retest - but at the retest the tester said that some new guidence had been issued saying the reflectors didn't have to be at 90 degrees either - probably because most reflectors on productions cars are shaped in some way anyway... Hope this helps

Hi - you just need it for the main beam... 1. All obligatory and optional headlamps must be fitted as “matched pairs”. 2. They must be operational 3. They must be fitted in the correct orientation as would be on an approved vehicle. 4. They must emit a white light. 5. When on dip or main beam they must emit sufficient light to be able to illuminate the road in front of the vehicle 6. The correct number must be fitted to the vehicle 7. Dipped beam headlamps must be positioned to meet the requirements of Table 1 8. There must be a tell tale when on Main Beam. (see note 1) Note 1: The “Main Beam” tell tale can either blue in colour, or a tell tale (any colour - preferably blue) with the symbol (see section 33) or a tell tale any colour and the words Main Beam or Main

Hi For a new registration, everything has to be new apart from one item which can be reconditioned. There's some more info here

Yes please - stiff neck, back and arms, if possible

Thanks Mike After several hours of being upside down with my head stuck under the dash, I've tracked the fault to a loose connection. Easy fix in the end - and very glad I didn't have to take the scuttle off! Thanks Harvs

Hi I've got the standard superspec clocks - which are from a ford. Similar to these (photo nicked from Will's site!)... Everything has recently been working fine. But today, the temp and fuel gauges started reading higher than what they should have done. And very briefly, read max fuel and max temp, but then returned to reading higher than what they should have done (temp was about 3/4 to max, when usually it stays around 1/2 and fuel reading 3/4 when there's around 1/4 in there). After leaving the car to cool down, the temp reading has returned to 'zero' and the fuel gauge looks to be reading correctly. It all seams a bit weird! Any idea what may be happening or would I should start looking for to fix it??? Cheers Harvs

If it was me spending the cash, I'd go for for the digidash if it was more of a track car and the separate clocks if it's a road car!

Hi Paul Yep, no problem. PM me your address and I'll stick them in the post. Thanks James

Hi As above, I'm offering a pair of indicator extenders to any member (I got them from Mike Perry, who kindly gave them to me FOC) Thanks Harvs

Great, thanks for the replies guys It's the prop shaft to gear box flange (rather than diff - but I'll be check the diff one too!) Yep, just 3 bolts. I'll check ebay for some loctite and see if there's enough room for some locking nuts to fit too. Does anyone know what torque setting should be used??

Hi Got my reg number & tax disc from the DVLA this week, so have been out for my first drive today. All was going well until the car started to vibrate quite significantly. Managed to get it home ok, and thought I'd check out the prop shaft. 2 of the 3 bolts are pretty loose... The car's a super spec and was supplied from RH as a rolling chassis, with the engine, gearbox, prop shaft, diff etc already installed. I guess the bolts weren't done up sufficiently tight. I'm surprised that there aren't any locking nuts on them though. Is this usual? Or should I look to fit nylock nuts? Will certainly give me piece of mind - but wanted to check if there's a reason why locking nuts aren't fitted? Any thoughts appreciated. Cheers Harvs

It's actually more of an end piece, but forms an L shape... It took some effort to drill the holes though!

On my superspec, the IVA examiner wanted increased strength too. I ran a length of angle iron across, with welded 'L's on each end. Then bolted the 'L's to the chassis. On the superspec there is some flat plate which was ideally situated (used for the outer seatbelt bolts. I wanted to be able to take the support off so didn't want to weld directlly to the chassis). The examiner was really happy with it - no problems with the angle iron projections, although I did put some trim on the edges of the 'L's just in case.

Sorry to hear about your test. Just out of interest, what did you put down for your maximum revs? It's better to give a lower figure if possible as this will help with the noise and emissions tests...

Maybe a bit more... IVA £450 IVA retest?! £90 DVLA registration fee £55 Tax £190 Insurance £200 So around £1k. Plus any costs of trailing the car to the DVLA inspection

Fantastic result . Well done Al! The end is in sight - it's downhill all the way now (well, nearly!) When my engine first started, tick over seemed to settle at 1,000 revs which felt a bit high. The MEMS control unit apparently takes a while to sort things out (it averages out the last 200 miles of driving). Anyway, at the IVA test (after c35 miles) it was measured at around 800 revs or so. I guess once it's on the road you won't be idleing that much anyway :)

Hi Al I originally used the pipe from RH along with another pipe inserted in it for the smaller connection. However, on the trip for my IVA test it melted . Luckily only though part of the plastic to the braiding, with the remainder just about holding up! I've now done the same as you, but with a rover reservoir - here's one on ebay: 310092799735. This has the correct size inlet and outlet for the power steering pump. I couldn't get exactly the correct size hoses, so did spend a bit of time with some hose ends in the kettle to soften them up a little For the connector into the pump, the union originally supplied by RH didn't fit my pump. I spoke to Richard (Stewart, then) who sent out the correct one. Might be worth a ring to RH to see if they still have some lying around...

I'll come along if I get my reg in time. Had my built up inspection at the DVLA last Wednesday, but not had the documents through yet....

Hi Al My gearbox was really stiff at first - I couldn't get any gears. It definitely gets easier once the engine is running (although still requires quite a bit of effort on the gear stick and a few crunching sounds) Good luck with the engine start - it certainly is a mile stone

You didn't need one for the SVA but you do need one for the IVA (and you need a reverse gear, if you've got a motorbike engine)

I can vividly recall the sunday afternoon (after picking up the superspec from RH on the saturday) and watching the entire length of the build videos. I nearly felt sick with the lack of guidance they gave and I certainly felt alone, with a load of potentially scrap metal in the garage. If it wasn't for this forum, then I'm sure it would still be scrap metal. But fortunately this site and it's members have been able to answer every query I've had and has given me the confidence to get stuck in and complete my build. So, try not to worry too much, and start with some of the easier stuff so that you can get some progress under your belt. It really does get easier and easier..... Good luck

Hi I've got a blue and stainless superspec and went through Huddersfield a little while ago for my IVA (no plates on - and did get stopped by the police!). Will hopefully have it registered soon, and would like to meet up with fellow Hoodies - so hopefully see you soon! Harvs