Neil's Aventador build (Page 71/74)
Spadesluck MAR 26, 05:06 PM
Amazing stuff my friend! Without digging through all the pages, what is the cooler behind that side scoop?

I hope you didn't burn anything important! Oops

[This message has been edited by Spadesluck (edited 03-26-2020).]

Neils88 MAR 26, 05:36 PM
I'm using Honda Civic radiators. The ones currently sitting there are just the cheap oem radiators simply for mock up purposes. Ultimately they'll be replaced with performance, 3 core radiators to ensure I get enough cooling regardless of what power plant I'm running.

I won't know the full extent of the damage until I pull the HVAC unit out. However, I think it ended up just burning the foam seal. Worst case would force me to replace the HVAC body, but with my setup it would be a relatively quick and easy swap. I purposely made the whole thing easy to access.
Rickady88GT MAR 26, 07:54 PM

quote
Originally posted by Neils88:

So today, I set the car on fire.



I was welding a couple of brackets onto the car and accidentally left an opening into the defroster uncovered. A spark found is way down and ignited something there. The first indication came while I was admiring the beautiful welds I'd just finished, when I saw a "shimmering" light from somewhere inside the car. I ran through all the possible sources of shimmering lights through my head (had I installed Christmas lights inside the car??) before concluding that the car was indeed on fire.

But being a seasoned naval engineering officer/ damage control officer I immediately brought the garage to Emergency Stations and deployed the Rapid Response Team.

... translation...I yelled SH!T !!!!!! Grabbed my respirator off my face. Dove onto the car like in a scene from Starsky and Hutch and started huffing and puffing down the defroster opening until the flames went away.

If I drank, now would be a good time for a beer.



LOL, I feel your fear. I was on high alert every time I worked on my dash swap. The Malibu LTZ used a magnesium frame. Cutting that thing and grinding was a fireworks show. Slow and easy did it, but nail-biting and head on a swivel.
RCR APR 19, 07:32 PM

quote
Originally posted by Neils88:

So today, I set the car on fire.



I was welding a couple of brackets onto the car and accidentally left an opening into the defroster uncovered. A spark found is way down and ignited something there. The first indication came while I was admiring the beautiful welds I'd just finished, when I saw a "shimmering" light from somewhere inside the car. I ran through all the possible sources of shimmering lights through my head (had I installed Christmas lights inside the car??) before concluding that the car was indeed on fire.

But being a seasoned naval engineering officer/ damage control officer I immediately brought the garage to Emergency Stations and deployed the Rapid Response Team.

... translation...I yelled SH!T !!!!!! Grabbed my respirator off my face. Dove onto the car like in a scene from Starsky and Hutch and started huffing and puffing down the defroster opening until the flames went away.

If I drank, now would be a good time for a beer.



Ouch.. Glad you got it under control.
I did something similar when welding the body mounts on. I set the jute behind the panel on fire. Just happened to have a squirt bottle of water handy for just such an emergency.

Take care...

Bob
dremu APR 23, 05:46 PM
I categorically deny ever setting alight greasy rags I'd forgotten I'd dropped behind the welding table, or the dry grass outside my shop window with the window open, or ...

However, there are now *multiple* fire extinguishers in my workshop, within easy reach, well-marked. You be the judge as to what happened

-- A

[This message has been edited by dremu (edited 04-23-2020).]

Neils88 APR 25, 05:06 PM

quote
Originally posted by dremu:

I categorically deny ever setting alight greasy rags I'd forgotten I'd dropped behind the welding table, or the dry grass outside my shop window with the window open, or ...

However, there are now *multiple* fire extinguishers in my workshop, within easy reach, well-marked. You be the judge as to what happened

-- A




I usually just set myself on fire. I guess I wanted to mix it up a bit.
Neils88 JUN 06, 10:55 PM
Well, I continue to be terrible at posting any updates... over a month since my last post. Unfortunately, I've only been able to work on it once or twice a week. And even then, it's usually for not more than an hour or so.

There were a few things worthy of a mention....

I finally got the wiper system installation completed, minus the wiring. I really like the versatility of a cable system. Much easier to install when space is limited. I welded a wiper motor mounting bracket to the HVAC housing. Before anyone asks, yes I can still remove the brake master cylinder cover.





I installed bonding bolts in a number of places on the front bumper. The bumper fits really well, so I will only use the bonding bolts to secure it.

For some reason the bumper didn't already have a recess for the nose emblem. I cut an opening for the recess and fiberglassed it. I was able to use a piece of a real Aventador front bumper as a mold. I'll still need to finish it with some body filler.



Lastly, I began installing the front vent grills and grill housings. The grills and housings are oem. Unfortunately, the bumper clearly wasn't designed to match the oem bumper so it's going to take lots of finessing to get them to look like they belong there. Once I'm happy with the fit, I'll add some mounting brackets.




Neils88 JUL 14, 06:05 PM
Quick update... no pics today though.

I finished installing the front grill housings. This involved a lot of fiberglass trimming to get the oem housings (the black parts in the last pic I had posted) to fit into the front bumper. Once they fit, I spent several days fiberglassing some brackets in place on the inside of the bumper that I'll be able to secure the housings to. They seem to fit quite well.

I also finally installed the front oem hood latch and cable system. I created a support bracket and welded it to the main front bumper support beam. I just need to install the hood gas shock now.
RCR JUL 14, 06:52 PM


Bob
Neils88 OCT 02, 07:35 PM
I wanted to give an update of the Aventador project. Unfortunately, the project will be on hold until next summer.

:sleep:

However... there is some good news associated with this. We sold our house in Ottawa and are moving back to Nova Scotia! (Just a stone throw from Bloozberry). We just broke ground on our new house... which will also come with a garage actually big enough to work in. .... finally!

Until then, since I won't have access to a garage, the car will get a new home...



I look forward to getting back on track next year!