700newtons

Great news! Looking forward to see the pictures.

You must be missing the rear axle case too. I contacted Caterham today; they are on route from Japan.

Apart from the shortages the kit is pretty good isn't it? And everything fits snugly. Occasionally, I think something is missing but I just haven't quite realised what I am looking for.

i think I might have used up my IVA rubber on my front suspension holes. I have seen this on some cars but not on others. You might want to pause before copying me.

I brushed on Hammerite stone guard on the underside of the wings today (to reduce stone damage from below). It has a pretty strong solvent that has a negative effect of it is splashed on the paint on top. I got away with it though.

NB The way I get pictures inserted is go to 'My profile' then 'file browser'. I upload the pictures then link the to the blog.

Simon

Hello Peter,

i ordered a push button start for mine  - it doesn't look like a freebie. Maybe you just got lucky. However, my car appeared with a aero filler. I think that was an option which I didn't ask for. However, it seems a standard option now.

i left a message at Caterham regarding the firt fill pack. I could do with it...

Good of luck for tomorrow. If you have the same shortages as me you,will be missing wheels, the rear axle casing and the fluids.

Yes, welcome to the club Juls. Building it certainly makes you think but is very satisfying. The benefit of a later 160 that us guinea pigs will find the snags.

Simon

Thanks. I used Dimitrol before anything went into the car (lots of newspaper on the garage floor to prevent a mess). I may have gone a bit over the top in the engine bay, but you can get right in all the nooks if you do it before anything else.

simon

Oh no! Actually when mine was delivered, the delivery driver arrived an hour early and had to wait. I told the sales guys that I couldn't be in before 2pm but the message fell through. The driver was OK about it though.

If you look on the Caterham website, it says that the 160 comes with all fluids. I need to put my gearbox oil in now, so I could really do with it. I'll ring them up shortly.

I think that the oil is available, but just in large quantities, as far as I could see.

160 is good to build by the way (although I have to read and reread the instructions). A lot of he stuff that I would potentially really mess up has been neatly done already.

The engine cover fits - I had a quick check.

You have got me paranoid now. However, the 'how it's made' video you posted has it at an angle.

I get some more opinions...

Hello Peter,

I didn't ask for a 12v socket. I can't really help with this one. If you would like a photo of the dash or something, let me know.

Simon

Peter enjoy the day it comes (and please blog!)

When the car comes they give you a card with Derek's contact details.

Cheers, Simon

It might depend on who you speak to at Adrian Flux. I rang up twice and the second quote (with Trinity Lane as insurer rather than Equity Red star) was cheaper and more gave much better flexibility with the build. (£250 for 3000 miles) but you might do better with Peter's separate build insurance and then insure for road use.

Peter,

That is interesting to know (but obviously to late for me).

just a few days to go for you then....

Simon

Not feeling 100% today (cold) so had a day off.

However, I figured out how to do the tricky gearbox mounting nut up. (It was right up against the rubber and I couldn't get a spanner in to hold it while I torqued it up to 20Nm). Today I just wedged a screwdriver in between the rubber and the nut and got it to 20Nm - I'll take that.

Also have have realised my Earth connections are not quite right. I think that the long lead goes to the top nut on he starter motor. The shorter lead circles back to an obvious Earth point on the chassis, by the battery. (I previously connected the long Earth lead to the engine mount brackets. However, this is going to come too close to he exhaust pipe.)

Hi Ned,

The car came with heat protection around the footwells in place (and quite tidy looking too). However, after just lowering the engine in this morning I am a bit concerned that the gearbox is right up against it. I have sent an email to Caterham to ask.

Simon

Thanks AndrewB, your blog is quite useful by the way.

After re-reading the manual, I redid the lower front wishbone. The chamfered washers need to have the chamfered (sloping face) towards the bushes. I also gave them a bit of copper grease for good measure.

My rubber deadblow hammer is surprising useful for tapping in subborn bolts and washers. I'm also finding that a box of latex gloves is useful - keeps you warm in a cold garage and stop you getting grease all over your hands.

Peter,

I rang up Caterham and got an IVA pack sent through the next day. I also recently received the RH lower wishbone via courier. The steering rod ends were attached to the brakes ( doh, that was my bad). I'm now on the hunt for some 10mm grommets for the lighting brackets.

Generally though, everything is neat and well labelled. As I go I'm carefully ticking off every paragraph of the manual.

I have no particular tips for delivery day. Get your axle stands roughly in place and place old squares of carpet or cardboard on top. The delivery bloke is very helpful. Oh, and the wheels will be coming later, I expect.

I look forward to hearing more.

Simon

I was interested in this and had a look at a Roadsport that was built at my school (I'm a teacher). I notice that the roadsport has a few more unfilled cavities. Perhaps when this car was designed, corrosion was taken into account.

Thanks for the note about the IVA trim. What do people use to stick the IVA in place?

This blogging site does funny things to photos. On my PC the photos that I post are the right way up. When viewed on the iPad some appear upside down... 

if I take a photo on the iPad, there seems nothing I can do the change to orientation that it will appear.

Thanks Ned,

I'm enjoying the build. The instructions seem ok to follow and the bits fit. No problems apart from a few shortages. Roll on March for you.

simon (700newtons)

I had to do something while I was waiting!

Pentangle, glad to help! I didn't look that hard for insurance though; you might get a better quote. Adrian Flux was much cheaper than REIS but didn't include track day cover. I actually rang AF twice; I got a much better quote the second time. It was cheaper and included a longer build period.

By the way, i didn't get a fully complete kit delivered. The wheels are coming a bit later. The same might happen for you. There are some supply problems. Other than that, no problems. The fellow that delivered it was very helpful.

Hi folks,

thanks for for your replies. It is good to know that there are at least 4 of us. Apologies for the delay its my reply. I didn't realise I was getting comments on my blog!

looks like I'm the guinea pig then...

I think my first job is to wax the car, Dimitrol the inside and cover the paintwork for protection.

Simon