OK I picked this clamp up knowing that it prolly wouldn't work.  It was close but it was not holding the CPU perfectly in the center. That was key, the method I used to compress the plate on the core MUST be PERFECTLY centered to avoid crushing the core.

So I headed back to a local hardware store and got a nice long reach parallel clamp.

With some Marine Goop I sealed the cold plate onto the CPU creating a completely air tight and VERY solid bond between the core and the cold plate. Goop is VERY strong but not permanent, you can remove it with some hard work. Its a urethane based "glue" that starts to dry immediately. but takes a few hours to get solid.  Even when fully dry its still flexible and will adjust to temp changes and different materials without cracking.

As you can see it holds it directly on the core and perfectly parallel.  But this clamp was a ratchet type and I could not get it another "click" without possibly destroying the CPU. So I had to hold it a bit to keep it from moving around.

I was very careful to keep all the Goop off the bottom of the CPU or the top of the cold plate. You can see the thermal probe coming out.

OK from here to the rest of the article pictures may mis some parts of the process, I was getting VERY rushed to get this machine done in time.

Problem :

I DIDN'T have a CPU bracket!!! I had some but they were too short.  So in a frantic hurry I ran to the store and picked up a piece of brass that measures 1/2" wide and 1/16" thick. ( I think).  It was the exact same dimensions as the steel one I had that was too small. 

What I did was bent it to match the width of the CPU socket, and with a RotoZip I cut out 2 areas on each side so it locked onto the socket.

I drilled a hole off center so its directly over the top of the block and the core.  Then taped it and put the bolt through it. Used a nut on the bottom and one on the top to re-enforce it ( brass is soft and I doubts the threaded brass would hold)

Day 6 - Page 2 - Insulation Time - bust out the Vas and Silicone