Academy Car Build - Day Twelve - Keeping Cool

Today was all about the cooling hoses, and trying to get the engine bay done (electrics etc)... Andy Morgan sent me this pic from the Facebook Academy group, that someone drew up a while back which is a very handy a pretty accurate schematic.

Cooling schematic for Sigma based Caterham Academy Car (2017)

I have to admit that even with the above schematic, AND plenty of calls to Derek Howlett I seemed to struggle with the hoses, on, off, measuring, cutting, then refitting, then finding the right jubilee clip - in actual fact I was pretty close to loosing my cool for most of the day!  After a fair few hours, bruised and cut knuckles, fingers later (my paper pusher hands are not cut out for engine work! :-)) The cooling hoses are pretty much done, but it seems like I've hardly made any progress.

Engine bay cooling and wiring pretty much complete

In the meantime, Dave (Daytona Coachworx) has made great progress on the wheels... Edges rubbed down, masked, sprayed and lacquered!

Wheel rims rubbed down, masked, sprayed and lacquered

Then a damask and polish and that's one set finished off - in Skoda Glitter black (centres) with Sulfur Yellow Rim bands - they should look (even more) ace when on the car...

Caterham Apollo Wheels with Skoda Glitter black centres and Painted Sulfur Yellow Rim bands

Now it's time for a few well deserved 'beverages' this evening, and tomorrow will be a new day...  I'm going to try and really push on with the rear end, hoping to get the De-Dion in, A-Frame, rear shocks, brakes, and the rear wings on... And any other jobs if I get the time...

However... and facing reality, means I'm not going to get the car finished this week, and with plenty of  Xmas festivities lined up, finishing is going to be take much longer than anticipated which is a great shame.  Bah Humbug! 🎅