As I couldn’t get the pin out of the clutch release arm I cut the arm off leaving just the boss of the old arm on the shaft. I’ve made a new release arm and just tacked this on for the moment and the slave cylinder is just hanging off it whilst I fabricate the cylinder mounting bracket. That’s tomorrow’s job

Will this pic be the right way up this time

The hydraulic clutch mod works. Pedal is still a bit heavy but it’s smooth all the way down.

Whist I was on a roll I thought it would be a good idea to fit a bigger radiator so I picked up an MGF rad with a single fan. I didn’t expect it to be such a bitch to fit but after a day of cutting and welding brackets I ended up cutting a section out of each spotlight pod so the rad would sit forward enough to get the fan and the top hose to clear the spare wheel/luggage bin. The top hose is the issue as it sticks out a right angles to the rad whereas the Metro rad come out of the side of the header tank. Anyway it’s in now and today I’m going to try and get the cooling system piped up. I might just leave the back of the spotlights open as I reckon the rad could do with the extra fresh air.

Thanks Paul.

I’ve read through your build several times and it’s been quite useful I ended up cutting quite a bit from the spotlight pods but didn’t need to cut the battery/pare wheel bin. I did move the fan over about 40mm to the centre of the rad though. I’m still thinking about buying a couple of slim fans as that would allow me to move the rad a bit nearer to the battery bin. I’m back at work so it’s down to a couple of hours in the evening but hopefully I’ll get the cooling system plumbed in for weekend. I’ll take some pics tomorrow.

I don’t have a lot of spare time atm but I’ve managed to get the cooling system finished and the engine temp is nice and steady. I’ve sorted the gear change and the handbrake is also done. Seats are fitted too. Next job is the fuel tank as I want to get rid of the Metro tank.

Since I did the hydraulic clutch conversion I chanced on a 1.8 engine/PG1 gearbox with all ancillaries. The old gearbox is already out and the new one will be in as soon as the new clutch arrives.

I had to stop work on the car towards the end of last year due to other commitments but I’m hoping to resume work in a week or so.. I’m hoping she’ll make it to the show at the beginning of June.

Just re read the build thread, Some good stuff in there mines on the road but next winter I'm converting it to coilovers and hydraulic clutch.

Mine came with a mgf rear subframe but I want to keep the R65 box so if you want to sell your clutch slave bracket let me know!

Be interesting to see where you end up with the spring rates

Typing this out a second time so hopefully it will post this time lol

Just re read your thread you've done quite a few mods I'm hoping to do when mine comes off road over next week.Be interesting to see what spring rates you go for as I'm doing the same.

If you use the pg1 gearbox and fancy selling the clutch slave/bracket etc let me know

Sincere apologies Danny. I check in here fairly regularly but I missed your posts for some reason. If you still want any of the R65 parts you’re welcome to them. I’ve used the slave cylinder on the PG1 box but I have a used one which might come to if you want it.

My current spring rates are 250b fronts and 350lb rears. I’m happy with that atm.