Finally managed to get a few more hours spannering today. Some good news, mostly bad :S
I started certain that I'd be able to shorten the driveshaft, I was sure it was tubular, so I should be able to to something with it. I took a hacksaw to it, but found it's made of tough stuff. I dropped it onto the mill to attack it with something more manly... plenty of sparks and smoke as it broke through the toughened shell to find that it's solid. I can't do much with that, so I'm going to have to get a custom shaft made :dapprove: Any suggestions as to who can make one PDQ gratefully received.
I've been trying to sort a fan that fits, the 172 one isn't close, but the Twingo one looked like it could fit with a new bracket. Whist rummaging through the shed looking for inspiration I came across an old R5 GTT fan, hmm, might fit.... rotate it 90deg and it bolts straight on to the 172 rad
. I refitted the rad and front panel to confirm that it clears and joy of joys, it's perfect. I just need to sort out the wiring.
I spent the rest of the time dodging rain, refitting the RH headlamp, wiring, front panel and bonnet release. The bumper needed a trim to clear the rad, but dropped on relatively easily.
I've stopped now, but it looks much more like a car even if 2 major jobs remain: sort out the water hoses, and sort out a driveshaft.