Beginning the Pipework

Started by doing other small jobs like bolting down the steering column and trying to figure out how the wing stays bolt on the hubs to see about putting the last pieces of copper pipe for the break circuit. Also some tidy up on the storage room.

During the week a friend that is also building an Aries Locoblade offered me detailed instructions (with pictures) on how to connect the pipes. Printed them out and took the needed parts and papers with me to the car. Then, with instructions at hand and looking at the labels done by Steve, made my first steps with the pipes.

First one was a small that was labeled by Steve as "Water hose - Header tank to water pump Y piece". And based on Iains' instructions, tried to fix the hose. It is such a tight fit on the Y piece that I ended up hurting my finger and not being able to put it to the end. Left it for later.
Then I grabbed the piece that had a T section. The smaller piece was labeled by Steve "Water hose to thermostat housing". Based on Iains' photos and instructions I identified what was the thermostat housing and fitted the pipe (with some resistance). Bolted the brace to hold it in place.
Grabbed the small larger pipe labeled "Thermostat to radiator via temperature sensor (remote)" and got it in place on the thermostat.
Then the longer large pipe labeled "Y piece from water pump to radiator lower", that was easy to get on the Y piece. Also braced in place.

Spend some more time forcing the smaller pipe on the Y piece, with no success. I'm sure I can't use lithium grease there, but sure there must be an easier way!

Didn't connect the smaller pipes to the header tank because I still don't have the bulkhead in place to hold the header tank to. Was going to put the radiator in place but then understood that it hangs on the outside of some supports and not the inside. So, I didn't have any tools to hold it in place. Couldn't bolt it to the chassis because I need the nose cone to see where to fit it without fouling the bodywork. It will have to be done later. I'll also have to cut a bit of the top hose (that came with 4 instead of 2 braces) to fit the thermostat sensor (remote), for the radiator fan. It was a good start but there is lots more to be done.

A final note of thanks to Iain for his excellent help with today's task!