I’m back and planning the next stage of the build after years of apparent inactivity. Not the way I wanted it, but work has been taking far too much of my time.
The engine will be running before the end of 2024. That plan will involve some exciting new developments. So, if you’re interested in the design of a complete new CANBUS wiring system along with the latest in electronic engine management with twin drive-by-wire throttles and electronic display, keep watching for updates. There’s a lot to do…
I’m building up a good stock of parts for when I can seriously start working on the Mantula again. Today I bought a new differential from Quaife. Although the casing is reconditioned, all other parts are brand new. This should last for years – hopefully fit-and-forget.
The Quaife limited slip diff is a special version for lighter cars. According to Quaife the weight of a car has a big effect on the way the the LSD works. The standard unit was designed to work well in a fully laden Ford Sierra, so it’s no surprise that the much lighter Marcos would need a different set-up.
I’ll try to add a few more posts in the next few days. Plenty of interesting stuff to tell you about.
OK, I should have written this up months ago, but my time is not my own these days. Despite lock-down my job has kept me very busy. I already work from home, so it’s been no real change for me. Only the occasional hour to work on the Mantula.
Back before the lock-down came into effect I was able to get the chassis over to George at Arch’s Speed Shop here in Bembridge. It was his job to make sense of my design and the 57 plasma-cut pieces that would eventually become the new IRS chassis update.
Plasma cut parts
The chassis modifications were drawn in a 3D CAD programme, the excellent and versatile Fusion 360. I really enjoy using it and it’s free for hobbyist users.
The process of designing the CAD model is my preferred way to ensure that the job is right first time. I can design everything to the fraction of a millimetre and see the problems before any metal is cut. Perhaps if I had the fabrication skills I would make it up on the car. Maybe for my next build…
Fusion 360 has a sheet metal design mode and I used that to work out the correct bends and then export the DXF files that are eventually loaded onto a CNC plasma cutter and cut out of 3mm steel.
That plasma cutter is owned by Ray at Northshore Classics and he did a great job for me including the folding according to my drawings. I was very pleased with the quality. He’ll be doing more work for me as the build progresses.
Arch’s Speed Shop
I was very lucky to get the chassis conversion done before lock-down, but it was close. The chassis was collected on 9th March and returned on Friday 20th March. Lock-down started on the following Monday.
I sourced the steel tube which was a perfect match to the original 1 1/2″ x 14 swg. Mine was supplied by Metal Supermarkets.
These parts were supplied by Marcos Heritage Spares as part of the seat belt mounting upgrade kit.
Rather than remove the existing door striker plates we decided to double-up. The plates were spot welded together then welded all-round to avoid water penetration. This adds a little more stiffness in this relatively flexible area. It also ensures that the body will still fit.
Rear view of the seat belt mounting. As this area is open to any road debris thrown-up by the rear wheel it was later decided to fill any potential water traps. The welds were rather spattery probably due to contamination. Maybe not the prettiest welds but we have very good weld penetration – this isn’t going to fail!
It’s easy to create working drawings from the 3D model in Fusion 360.
This is about to be welded-up then top and bottom fish-plates added.
While it would have been easier to make a single mounting structure as we have done on the rear cross-member, there needed to be clearance for the front of the differential. That will make maintenance a little easier if the diff ever has to be removed.
The suspension bolts will screw into the steel tubes which are welded through the chassis tube.
The plates on the chassis are slightly larger than the tube to protect the poly-bushes. Large fish-plates are to be fitted top and bottom to spread the load from the triangulation tubes and top-rear diff mount.
The rear cross-member position is easy to locate correctly and was used as the datum for all IRS components. First attach the rear cross-member then install the lower wishbones and tack the front cross-member where it needs to be. That ensures no strain on the wishbones.
From there the uprights are attached and the top wishbone position gives the exact location for the top wishbone mounts.
Its very satisfying that the geometry worked out perfectly.
Triangulation tubes added along with the rear diff mount pick-up. The rear diff mount will not follow the standard Marcos design “P” bracket because that orients the poly bushes incorrectly. In fact all of the standard Marcos diff mounting is wrong in my opinion. Watch for an alternative design in a future instalment…
The last part of this stage of the build is the final weld-up. Yes there’s more to do but the next part of the design needs some real mock-up work to ensure the new diff mountings and additional cross-bracing work together and are still maintainable. I could do that in CAD of course, but I would have to accurately draw the diff and I honestly can’t be bothered!
Here it is taking up a lot of valuable space! Unfortunately around this time despite the start of lock-down I had to start a complex contract and didn’t get a chance to get to grips with the diff mount mock-up. However I should be back on it in a few days and I can’t wait.
First post of the year and it’s only February! After what feels like an eternity, the IRS conversion starts next week. The design work was far more complex than expected, but after a few set-backs I eventually had a 3D model that I was happy with.
From the 3D CAD model I was able to generate the sheet metal drawings for all of the brackets, webs and plates that will give the IRS its strength. All 57 items were all cut out of 3mm steel plate on a CNC plasma table at Northshore Classics here on the Isle of Wight.
A company on the mainland made a few dummy bushes for me. These will be used in place of the poly-bushes while the chassis is being welded. That will save the poly-bushes from melting and ensure all of the suspension mounting points stay in alignment.
The threaded item on the left will be for the lower wishbone pick-up points which will be welded into the chassis tubes.
I’ve definitely been working too much. Seven days a week with just three days off since the middle of September. One of the joys of being self-employed!
Now that the various projects are delivered I can give the Mantula the attention it deserves. This means there’s been quite a lot of progress considering this build normally progresses at a geological pace.
Much better than new
In the previous instalment I reported that the engine had been dispatched for a complete rebuild. Well, it arrived back yesterday looking very smart and probably better than new. It’s still sitting on its pallet, but I’ll get it mounted on the engine stand tomorrow. There are several important parts to attach too.
Flywheel and clutch
The flywheel has been modified to accept the ignition trigger ring. Once that’s mounted the up-rated clutch can be installed.
The original clutch was Rover SD1 3.5 litre spec which wouldn’t be able to cope with the much greater torque from the modified 4.6 litre unit.
The front end will get a new water pump along with various brackets and sensors. More on this in a few weeks – I have to modify the serpentine belt routing so that it clears the steering linkage.
Low-profile sump
It was quite some time ago that I had the low profile sump fabricated, so it will be wonderful to finally fit the thing! That can happen as soon as it returns from getting its Zinga galvanising coating. It’ll also have an abrasion resistant ceramic coating. I’m using the sump as a practice for getting the chassis treated.
When everything’s fitted I’ll squirt some Double TT into each cylinder to prevent possible condensation rust damage until first start some time next year.
Chassis modifications
The chassis is booked-in for modification during the second week of January. I still have work to do on the rear end design where I’m diverging from the standard Marcos IRS set-up a little. The 3D CAD drawing will be finished next week. I’ll then get the new suspension mounts and various brackets cut out on a CNC plasma cutter.
Inlet manifold design changes
Some time ago I showed the designs for the Jenvey throttle body adapters which I had 3D printed here on the Island.
Unfortunately I made an error by severely underestimating the correct throttle size. Now rather than the original 48mm size I will be fitting 60mm or larger Jenvey items.
Here’s the revised design in Fusion 360. I will probably have to build in some strengthening webs.
These 3D printed items are just for testing, more robust items will be fitted when I’m certain that everything works correctly.
The throttle body size error was noticed by the very helpful Daniel Lloyd from Lloyd Specialist Developments in Warminster. They’ll be setting up the Canems engine management system for me and fine tuning it on their dyno.
That’s all for now. I’ll try to keep these updates more regular while there’s something going on.
Today the Mantula rebuild took a great leap forward as the engine was dispatch for its rebuild. The work will be done by V8 Developments in Lincolnshire. www.v8developments.co.uk
For those who are interested here’s the basic build specification:
4.6 litre top-hat liners
New pistons
New piston rings
New main bearings
New big End bearings
New cam bearings
New core plugs
Fully balanced assembly
Pocketing of pistons
Lapped and polished crank
Special grind short nose Stealth cam kit
Special grind stealth Cam
Timing chain set
High rev Lifters
Running in oil and additive
Comp head gaskets
Comp head bolts
Warrior spec big valve heads
Warrior spec porting
Large valves
New guides
New valve stem seals
New double valve springs
All required gaskets and seals
Fully refurbished rocker assemblies
Recondition and fit front cover, including new oil pump gear and up-rated oil pressure relief valve kit
Fully refurbished rocker covers
Balance front pulley
Lighten, balance, face and machine flywheel to take trigger wheel
Well I’ve been wasting too much time on other important stuff. The Marcos needs some attention. Some important decisions have been made this week.
Chassis modifications
Despite having found a very good welder near to where I live, I have had to look elsewhere. Weld Services no longer answer the phone and are never present at their workshop. That’s a pity because they have done some excellent work in the past.
Amazingly I may have found the perfect alternative. An automotive fabrication/repair workshop only five minutes walk from where I live! I’ve not talked to them yet, but they come very highly recommended. I had no idea that they existed. If they can do the work this will be so convenient.
IRS saga
This really needs a whole post of its own. It’s a tale of frustration at every turn, you just wouldn’t believe how complicated this became and I’ve omitted most of the detail below.
After buying the main IRS and chassis upgrade components from Marcos Heritage Spares nearly two years ago, I found that my fabricated rear uprights would not be strong enough and would also foul the wheel rim unless they were reduced in size and therefore made even weaker. The quote for the real Marcos designed upright from MHS was shockingly expensive, but I had no other option and ordered a set in April this year.
The new uprights arrived about three weeks later and looked lovely at first glance. That was until I examined them more closely and found that the parts were wildly asymmetrical. I was expecting mirrored parts but these were way off.
The shock mounts were in completely different locations;
The top wishbone mounting had insufficient clearance making them impossible to fit;
Worst of all, the hub mounting ring was upside-down on the near-side upright!
I’m pleased to say that the response from Rory at MHS was faultless and he agreed to rectify the parts without any argument. I received the corrected and totally symmetrical parts on 11th June. Now I can finalise the rear end redesign safe in the knowledge that everything is built perfectly. I wonder if any other IRS uprights are as asymmetrical as my original set?
Engine
I have been toying with the idea of ditching the Rover V8 and moving to a Chevy LS3 crate engine. It’s very tempting and the options list is really suited to my type of project. However it would be expensive and I know of one failed attempt. Reluctantly I’ve had a rare attack of common sense and will stick with the trusty old Range Rover V8. But it won’t be with the slightly tired engine that’s currently sitting in my garage. We can do better than that!
After a lot of research I have chosen a ‘Warrior’ spec 4.6 from V8 Developments. I chose this company for several reasons but mainly because of their flexible and helpful approach to my requirements. They will build an engine to suit the car and the way I want to use it. I’ll give more information in a future update. For now however I have to get hold of, or make a suitable pallet so I can get the engine to Spalding in Lincolnshire.
Back soon, plenty more to tell you as the project comes back to life.
A long weekend of celebrations were held in the beautiful grounds of Wroxall Abbey Hotel, Warwickshire. I travelled up there from the Isle of Wight on the Friday evening to a superb AirBnB just a few miles away from the event.
Saturday morning started with the cars crowded around the front of the hotel with the original idea to move onto the lawns behind the hotel. Unfortunately the road down to the lawns wasn’t suitable for the low riding Marcos cars, so we all assembled in a slightly less glamorous paddock. The next few hours were spent discussing everything Marcos with many of the car’s owners. Lots of real inspiration to help me keep my project on track.
I had arranged to get a ride in a car in Saturday afternoons cavalcade to Stratford-upon-Avon. That would have been my first drive in a Marcos for over 30 years. However, it wasn’t to be. The cavalcade was cancelled due to Stratford-upon-Avon being grid-locked because of their re-scheduled River Festival. Then it rained…
In the evening we all enjoyed the Gala Dinner. Excellent food in great company. Speeches followed then we had some genuinely enjoyable music from the Sarah Martyn Acoustic Duo. Dancing was seen but carefully avoided!
Sunday was hot and sunny, resulting in some sunburn. But all of the cars looked wonderful. Lots of chatting to more Marcos owners some of whom weren’t present the previous day.
One of the unexpected things that caught my eye were the Chevy LS3 V8 engine installations in a couple of cars. I have been considering that route instead of the Rover V8 for my car. Trying to find out if it was a practical option or not. Its really tempting but maybe just one step too far for now.
It was a perfect weekend. Seeing so many of these wonderful cars and getting to talk to their owners, partners and families.
My lovely aunt Ro passed away on 25th February 2019. She was a wonderful lady who I loved and respected. Over thirty years ago I promised Ro a ride in my Mantula, which she often reminded me about. Sadly that was never to be.
For many years, until the current rebuild started my Marcos Mantula resided in her garage in Newport, Isle of Wight. The seats and interior trim is still in her loft.
2018 was a write-off a far as the Mantula rebuild was concerned. I did absolutely nothing on it other than a few hours spent updating my CAD models for the upcoming chassis modifications. I’ll show the progress on that in a future post. Hopefully quite soon!
Rather that the Marcos getting the attention, my time has been spent on finishing the woodwork in my home office – a lovely log cabin in my back garden. It’s only taken seven years to get round to it. Now there are no draughts and far fewer spiders…
Work also took up far too much time, but that comes with the territory as a small business owner.
I’m currently rebuilding the back end of my garage workshop due to weather damage. That will be done within the next week, then it’s Marcos time 🙂
I would like to apologise for my failure to respond to those who have left comments on some of my previous posts. I’ll answer them all soon.
I can promise more Marcos activity in 2019. Watch for detailed info on the chassis mods and engine/gearbox updates.