First Drive (sort of)

After getting the throttle in last Sunday, I arrived home from work on Monday (in the rain) and my kids said "Why don't you see if it drives Dad?". Hard to argue with that logic so I donned the Puma Drift Cats (the only shoes for driving a Clubman) and headed out to the garage. After warming her up for a few minutes, we set out on an exploratory trip up the driveway (cameos and stupid commentary courtesy of kids shooting the video).


First drive video

So not very exciting, but it proved a few things. Firstly, the clutch master cylinder positioning is good, and the clutch take up and release points aren't bad, and there is no drag (this means the engine and gearbox stay in). Secondly, the brakes work, just need to release the pivot bearing a little to the get full pedal return. Lastly, because it was nearly dark when I tested it, I was able to test all the dash lighting and switches, and they all work as well. So all in all, a good if not massively exciting test run.


On the second run I gave the throttle a little stab, and was shocked at how hard it wanted to take off.....cannot wait to get it out and running properly!!!!


The car is now back up on chassis stands and I am ripping bits off it in order to get things finalised. Not long now!!!

Throttle Mount

As the Duratec uses a drive by wire throttle linked to the ECU, I needed to mount the throttle pedal body somewhere near the existing pedal box. After seeing what other builders had done, I elected to suspend the throttle pedal body on aluminum plate off the back of the pedal box. This took 2.5 attempts to get a mount I was happy with, as the angle and left/right position of the bracket, and the pedal on the bracket is crucial. To far right and the throttle connector fouls the pedal box and frame. To far left and the brake will hit the throttle (ok for heel and toe I guess!).


I also fabricated up from 3mm angle a pedal cover for the throttle which is bolted through the old plastic throttle lever. All of these pieces are bolted up temporarily until I am happy with the position. In sitting in the car I now find the pedal reach is to far, which is ok as I moved the pedal box one adjustment forward....so I guess I am now moving it back one adjustment.


So with the throttle mounted.....I may be able to drive it now?!?!?!?!?!?