Now in 2010 we do not  have a JBA Factory producing any vehicle that has been evaluated in any articles in the various Kit Car Press magazines or approved by VOSA BIVA testing.

Please note these are the old build pages from 1999 to 2004 when we had a JBA Factory in full production from 1982 that was regularly featured in the Kit Car Press and complied with regulations including passing UK Vosa SVA/BIVA tests and TUV tests in the EU.
A 2004 JBA Engineering Ltd Sports SR kit has passed the new BIVA test in June 2009.

Now that the Falcon was finished the big moment came when it was time to get it running. 
The first thing was to buy some petrol for the tank and then fill the radiator with water and to top up the engine with oil, as the build had taken two years, we removed the rocker cover and squirted oil over the cam shaft. 
We removed the spark plugs and turned the engine over a few times on the starter, to get the oil circulating, it also helps to draw the petrol up to the carburettor. 
Then replaced the plugs and started it for real. 

The engine run a wee bit lumpy at first, but we let it warm up, before my mate Tam an HGV mechanic adjusted the settings on the carburettor. Note the inline Fuel filter.

Next came the brakes, the fluid reservoir was filled with brake fluid and the brakes bled in the following sequence. 
Starting on the rear nearside wheel, then the rear offside wheel, onto the front nearside wheel and finally the front offside. I kept an eye on the reservoir and kept it topped up, whilst Tam was doing the bleeding. 

JBA Chassis Plate 
We stamped our engine number onto the plate and pop riveted this on the side of the CBU in front of the wiper motor, where it can be read quite easily.

Wheels & Tyres

Now is the time to fit your new Wheels and Tyres. For a long time many owners used Mangel wheels with a wire basket. Mangel's stopped producing this type of wheel a few years back and now owners are choosing alloys. 
JBA uses Ford RS alloys on their demonstrator in photo above, although not on their accessories list the factory can supply these wheels. Alloys are available from many other suppliers. Other owners have had Jaguar wire wheels fitted, Some have used wheel trims. 
If you fit real wire wheels they must be fitted and balanced by a dealer specializing in wire wheels. Normal tyre companies such as ATS, National Tyres and Kwik Fit cannot balance the real wire wheels.

 Tyres

The tyres you choose must be of the correct maximum speed design marking. They must display an acceptable approval mark.

Castor & Camber Angles 
Check the settings in your Build Manual.
These can now be adjusted by removing or adding some of the spacing washers in the Wishbone Pivot set up. These are located either side of the front uprights, on the inside of Wishbone, between the bolt head of the smaller nut and bolt in the photo above, these are supplied with 4 or 5 washers already fitted to each bolt.

Hood 
Check the sweep of the wiper blades with the hood raised to see that the blades clear the hood.  

Problems Can't Get Gears 

This sometimes happens to people, who have laid up their cars during the winter and when Spring comes the car won't go into gear with the engine running. Yet your Falcon can go into all the gears when the engine is not running. The same thing can happen during your build.
Don't Panic! All that's happened is the clutch plate has rusted to the flywheel, usually because of dampness. The cure is to warm up the engine to normal temperature (with the garage doors open) and when warm, switch off the engine and push the car out into the street, pick a very quiet time.
Next put your car into 1st.Gear and with the handbrake off, and keep the clutch pedal depressed, start your engine and your car will start to move, try accelerating and decelerating rapidly, in short bursts and pumping the clutch pedal ( as if you were using Kangaroo petrol ) and your clutch plate will free itself in a short distance. About 50 feet or so. 
Remember take extreme care, regarding other road users, when doing this. Your car must be insured. 

Insurance 
The next item is to arrange road insurance for your Falcon. There are many specialist insurance companies around and it is wise to check out a few to obtain the best price. 
The JBA Owners Club have arranged a 10% discount for members with Adrian Flux Insurance and another company is Backford Bloor with their Running Board Scheme. 
Prices are relatively cheaper than normal car insurance.

Final Check
The Falcon was checked all over, underneath on the chassis that all pipes were secure and not leaking, that nothing was fouling and all bolts were tightened. All wiring was tidy and secured.

Applying For SVA Test

A form can be obtained from VRO's (Vehicle Registry Offices) and VI Test Stations or from the DVLA Swansea. 
For the Telephone numbers and Location of your nearest SVA Test Centre Click Here.

A form in PDF can be found on the VI Web Site by Clicking Here.

The form should be completed and returned to Swansea with the payment. They will then forward the form to the relevant Testing station, who will then forward an appointment for testing. Providing the car is insured, it can be driven to the Testing Station for the test to be carried out.

If reconditioned mechanical parts have been used, an MOT is also required. This can be carried out at the same time as the SVA Test if required, See Update Below.

Once a MAC is obtained, an application can then be made to the Vehicle Licensing Office or VRO to register the vehicle. The appropriate forms to register a kit car are available from Vehicle Licensing Offices VRO. 
Once completed, a vehicle inspector will arrange an appointment to assign a registration number to the vehicle, and issue a tax disc. More Information on the next page.

As of 1st July 2003 an MOT will no longer be required for Three years from date of Registration, if Question 20 on the Registration Form V55/5 is entered as the Current Year and not with the year of the Donor Car. 
An age related number will be issued.
Source. Total Kit Car.Com
18th July 2003 
Some VRO's (Vehicle Registry Offices) are issuing new Current Year Registration Numbers to Kit Cars using new and donor parts. 
Source.  

Where Did We Get Help 
Firstly from the JBA Owners Club and the Scottish Kit Car Club. Mechanical help from my mate Tam Thomson he was the HGV mechanic with the haulage firm, with whom I was employed. Paint Spraying by Tam and Sammy Potter a nearby friend.

JBA Owners Club

After joining the owners club I became good friends with Mike Cushley from Glasgow who was building a Falcon Tourer. I had bought my carpet from JBA black with red piping. 
Mike was trying to find a carpet for his Tourer, but just couldn't find the exact colour he wanted. 
It just so happened that my wife Bunny had bought an end roll carpet in maroon and when I saw it I thought that looks good, this would be perfect for Mike's Tourer. Unbeknown to my wife, I drove to Glasgow with the carpet. 
Mike said it's perfect, exactly what I wanted, but what are you going to say to Bunny. I'll tell her it looks far better in a JBA than in the back bedroom. She wasn't too pleased, we now have a different maroon carpet.

Always searching around car breakers, Mike was a great guy for giving away free parts, myself and Keith Morrish received Jaguar interior door handles from him, as well as many other bits and pieces.

One weekend when Mike's Falcon was near completion I received an urgent phone call. " Have you fitted your windscreen glass, if not can I borrow it."  Mike had cracked his windscreen. Certainly Mike I replied, but I don't know if the Sports one will fit the Tourer. Yes it did. 
Mike completed all the wiring and veneered the dashboard for my Falcon Sports. 

 Thanks Mike..................That is the JBA Owners Club at work.

The next page deals with Hints and Tips to get you through the SVA Test and Registering Your Falcon.

   Additional Photos Courtesy Of Brian McKinstry and Doug Philp.

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