Craig's MDA Mk.II GT40 build site		Last update 2nd Sept'08

		Photograph index
		-	Space frame in factory and on delivery
		-	Body shell and painting
		-	Cladding
		-	Brakes and suspension
		-	Lights
		-	Gauges
		-	Fuel system
		-	Wheels and Tyres
		-	Engine and headers
		-	Cooling
		-	Transmission
		-	Screen wiper and associated wash system
		-	Miscellaneous

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photograph archive

 

	Space frame in factory and on delivery
	The frame was delivered with suspension and wheels in place to make it easier moving it on and off the trailer. A centre bodywork section has been borrowed from MDA to aid in the fitting of the cladding whilst my own is in transit from the USA. The 1st row of photos shows the modifications made in factory to give clearance to the FE series headers as these run a lot wider than the Small block units. (This has now become a standard fit on all MDA cars to allow the largest variety of engines and headers possible).
	Body shell and painting
	These photos are of the Mk.II shell pre-delivery. All being well early-June (the Fibre-glassers have been working overtime keeping up with demand) should see my body shell and chassis united for the 1st time. More photos to follow soon!!! the car carries very decals but a very important one is the Fern Leaf decal behind the driver's side front wheel. This was made for me as a special order by Raceline Digital in Canada; thanks Chris. The rear clip photos are of my bodywork trial fitted to the MDA demo chassis, it needs a small mod above the hinge to match the look of the original cars, but apart from that fits like a glove. The entire bodywork was reunited in August '07 and trial fitted to my own chassis complete with roll cage in September.
	Cladding
	As I was planning on a few modifications to the cladding I decided to clad the frame myself rather than get MDA to do it. One modification provided by the factory was a one piece sill covering with rolled edge to more closely resemble the original car. The picture on the left of the 2nd row shows the markings in place to guide the pressing of the sill ribs and cut out for the original location of the fuel sender. The 4th row shows the new created sill cover plates that the original cars carried between the A-pillar and the floor.
	Brakes and suspension
	AP racing 4pot option + Brembo handbrake callipers (Ferrari 360)
	MDA offer an upgrade brake option of AP racing components; which I am fitting. These are 4 piston units mated with 304mm vented and grooved discs all round (that should stop me :) ). The handbrake is a fully mechanical calliper made by Brembo - this I believe is the same part as fitted to the Ferrari 360 but without the Prancing Horse logos. These are mounted on bespoke mounting brackets bolted to the hub, the discs are mounted to MDA produced disc bells. The 3rd photo above shows one of my 15" wheels fitted to check clearance over the whole assembly.
	Lights
	I have been lucky to source a set of original spec lights. These are Marchal TP21SP headlamps, Marchal 651/653 fog lights, 1960/61 Chevy Corvair rear lights (4) and 1966 Mustang front indicators. The rear lights and front indicators are different to those seen on Mk.I GT40s as the Mk.II sourced many of its parts from the USA rather than the UK. Halogen replacement bulbs were sourced to bring lighting levels up to meet modern standards. (Original specification Chevrolet rear lenses have "Guide" written on them, many pattern parts do not). When buying Mk.II/Iv racing lights make sure they have the rectangular "FoMoCo" stamping rather than the later oval stamp; the mounting on the rear is completely different. (the correct one is a 1966 Ranchero licence plate lamp). The obscure round object is an adaptor from Paul Goff that converts the original spec Marchal lights to take a modern halogen H4 bulb, the pic next to that is it in place.
	Gauges and Electrics
	Like the lights, the gauges on the Mk.II GT40 were sourced from the USA. Rather than the Smiths gauges normally seen the Mk.IIs carried a set of gauges from Stewart Warner and a mechanical Tachometer from Jones/Motrola. Luckily Stewart Warner still manufacturer the original spec gauges and the Jones tachometer is now available again from Schulze manufacturing in the USA. The original Mk.IIAs didn't carry a speedometer (the battery cut-off switch was placed where this normally goes) and no fuel level gauges were fitted either. A remote binnacle with these in will be fitted to make the car suitable for road use. The 1st pic on the 2nd line is an original look cut off switch (mounted where the speedo normally goes).
	Fuel system
	The car will be carrying 3 fuel pumps as per the original Mk.IIs (I have got hold of 4 Stewart Warner 240As to rebuild [with a spare for the future]). The gasket sets were sourced via the GT40s forum. I will be wiring and plumbing these so pumps 1 and 3 will run from their respective tanks and pump 2 will draw from both. Normal road use will just require pump 2 to be switched on, but for track use pumps 1&3 will be used as this will enable the fuel pressure to be maintained but with additional volume available. I will also be fitting a Fram HPG-1 fuel filter (which is currently the type being used by the real P1046), if anybody can confirm that this was also the period fitment that will be a big help.
	Wheels and Tyres
	The wheels are standard Image 15" Halibrand replicas supplied by MDA. These were shipped with a polished rim and painted centre (although a painted rim is an option). The gap between the outer rim and wheel centre was filled, smoothed, primered, painted and lacquered to achieve a look closer to that of the original magnesium wheel. I have 2 sets of wheels and tyres. The 1st is fitted with a set of original spec Goodyear Bluestreak sports car specials that can be used for track days and shows, the 2nd are road legal Avon CR6ZZ historics. These will be delivered in 295/50-15 and 245/60-15. I would prefer a 245/50-15 up front to keep in with the Goodyear settings but these aren't currently available from Avon.
	Engine and headers
	The engine was sourced and rebuilt by Huddart Engines of Crewe (UK), the headers were purchased from a member of the GT40s Forum, and are made of AKDQ steel with fully radiused bends. Like the Goodyear tyres the tailpipes will only be for track/show use with a replacement set containing a silencer fitted from the collector rearwards. The 1st series of photos show an old FE unit (not the one that will be finally fitted) being positioned in the chassis at the MDA factory to ensure a good and clear installation. Update 2nd August. The engine has stripped the cam lobes during its dyno runs! The oil has been sent away to Miller's for analysis and the engine stripped and inspected for associated damage. No addition problems were found and replacement parts are on the way from the USA. Update 20th August - Rebuilt and tested engine delivered to MDA for development work on the FE/930 adaptor and flywheel. The engine has dyno tested at 540bhp at 6000rpm and 580ft/lb at 4000 rpm with a Holley 750cfm Dominator carburettor. :) The previous cam destruction problem apparently was likely to have been caused by the fitting of the dry sump system not giving the cam enough splash lubrication, a groove has been machined in the hydraulic lifters that has alleviated this problem now. Update February 2008 -  The engine, transaxle and headers have now all been fitted into an MDA engineering chassis (a mock up used for new and experimental ideas)  to prove it will fit. A set of bespoke engine mounts have been made to take account of my dry sump pump arrangement. The adaptor plate to mount the transaxle to the engine will also incorporate chassis mounts to the horseshoe section.
	Cooling
	Engine cooling via an MDA supplied aluminium radiator with 2 "pusher" fans to ensure cooling air at low car speeds. The transaxle and engine oil are both cooled by their own Harrison oil coolers mounted in the original position, behind the main bulkhead on either side of the car. The transmission oil cooler is on the right hand side  of the car, the engine oil cooler on the left. Both coolers are "Harrison 11" congealing 12 bolt non-7th stud" models commonly found on the Continental 0470 aero engine. The base plates are also Continental aero engine parts. (The car I am modelling my build on had standard coolers where the oil flows up one side and down the other; other cars ran converted coolers where the oil ran up both sides and out of an adaptor welding into the top plate).
	Transmission
	Porsche 930 (911 turbo 4 speed). Purchased from a member of the GT40 Enthusiasts club. Cable shift via bespoke MDA system. This will be receiving a standard wooden gear shift knob replacing the very nice machined aluminium that comes with the shifter. The shifter is being mounted on the inner face of the sill as per the original cars rather than the normally seen system of putting it behind the sill and exiting through the top. The clutch and flywheel were sourced from Kennedy Engineered Products in the USA and were delivered airfreight within 1 month of the initial order being placed. Mark at MDA is now working on the adaptor plate to mount my 930 transaxle to the Ford FE, hopefully there should be some more photos along soon.
	Electrics, Screen wiper and associated wash system
	The Mk.II again has a different parts source for these items than the Mk.I. The washer system is quite easy to get hold of being fitted to the 1966 Mustang. The wiper motor and arm however are sourced from a unique supply - the Boeing parts listings - The arm is in fact from a Boeing 707!! Thanks for a member of the MDA forum I found a supplier than had a couple of these in the USA, the blade has yet to be changed for a sprung item rather than the Boeing flat blade. The starter relay thankfully is a Mustang/Cougar part.
	Miscellaneous parts
	The door striker plates are sourced from a Standard Vanguard (phase II), both original Mk.I and Mk.II cars shared these parts. These were sourced from an Ebay seller in Australia (Vanguard wholesalers). The door part of the assembly (as on the original cars) comes from a Mk.VII Jaguar Rear door, I tracked dwon a specialist in the UK who had a NOS pair for sale, I think Worcester Classic Spares have some more but 2nd hand left. A huge thanks to Steve from the MDA forum for sourcing and modifying a pair of Mini door hinges to replicate the front nostril hinges used on the Mk.II (I have no idea what the original parts source was). The bias pedal box is a work of art and is standard MDA. P1046 carried McLaren Racing stickers in the side windows and I have been lucky enough to find an original sticker I can use as a pattern. The dashboard "eyeball vents" originally fitted to the Mk.III Zephyr I believe are now incredibly hard to find. These are replicas based on an MDA vent with new centres, these were kindly converted by another MDA owner (enjoy the slot car Steve).  The original spec Lucas rear view mirror has been brought back to life with polishing and an application of chrome effect paint (thanks for the tip Chris). MDA have commissioned a batch of body latches which are extremely close to those originally fitted to the car which are need less to say very hard to get hold of.