Rear axle mounted
Having just spent the last half an hour reading through old posts on the subject of tube R nobody seems to have made them removable. I have positioned
my engine quite far back in the chassis and having not fitted all the ancillaries yet think it would make getting the engine in and out much easier if
the r tubes were removable. Something like shock mount brackets made of 3mm plate with an m12 bolt securing the r tube in place. I am thinking of
doing this on both sides of the engine to increase stiffness in the chassis as per cymtriks previous FEA.
Anyone done this already, got any pics or comments/suggestions. I am aware of the y-brace idea, but would rather have the benefit of the full r tubes
in the chassis. I want to run the exhaust out through the bonnet, so the r tube on the passenger side shouldn't get in the way here. I may have
to move or fit a small alternator anyway to clear the steering column as I know it's been an issue on some other builds using the same engine as
me.
cheers all,
Ned.
quote:
Originally posted by ned
think it would make getting the engine in and out much easier
) but how often do you intend to remove/replace the engine? I'd go for two Y braces if I was doing it all over again.
Cheers,
Craig.
i remember reading a reply maybe by rorty or sid regarding removable braces and they were saying that in order to be effective they would have to be
machined to the highest standards to ensure a really tight between the bolt and the hole or the hole and a dowel. So any advantage gained by having
removable braces may be lost in torsional rigidity.
....................but im just the messenger remember!
I plan on trying to put in removable braces in the engine compartment as the turbo and intakes take alot of space. I figure it will have to bolted
in couple of places at each end to get a tight fit. I figure it may end up as a type of cradle over the engine.
Dale
You could always have the removable tube adjustable with opposite threaded heim joints at each end, that way you can adjust the level of tension or
compression. I use them on all my suspension mount points, and It is fully adjustable.
Rear axle mounted
Are those tubes locating your rear axle Swedged Steel Sleeves tubes like stock cars use? If they are what is the size and how long are they? 
Just for 'thinking outside of the box'...does the engine HAVE to come out through the top?
Has anyone tried removable engine mounts fixed to the chassis with hefty bolts?
That way you could support your lump and lift the front of the car up and over. Never having to remove tube 'R'. In fact put another one
in across the other diagonal.
Or am I talking b0110x?
[Edited on 21/7/04 by madforfishing]
I can guarantee whatever one said, the other would have had the exact opposite opinion!
atb
steve
quote:
Originally posted by colmaccoll
i remember reading a reply maybe by rorty or sid regarding removable braces and they were saying that in order to be effective they would have to be machined to the highest standards to ensure a really tight between the bolt and the hole or the hole and a dowel. So any advantage gained by having removable braces may be lost in torsional rigidity.
....................but im just the messenger remember!
actually they are from circle track dirt cars, all aluminum, 5/8" heim joints, opposite threads, the aluminum arms are 11" and the panard rod is 36"
sounds like a FWD strut brace, or the diff and trans braces that Mazda added to later MX5s to increase the torsional rigidity.
As long as it bolts rigidly, it should work. Derfs rose joint approach should work fine, or add a u-channel for the R tube to sit in at each end, and
2 bolts through the R tube and both sides of the u-channel (at each end).
Yes! I have seen this done! On a seven noless! It was 4 years ago at an autocross a friend and I were at. At the time I was into "other" kit
cars and did'nt pay much attention to sevens. I remember them slipping a modified pallet jack under the car and three guys lifting the car off
the engine and tranny!!It only took seconds so everything must have had quick disconnects. The engine was toast so it never went back in but it was
still cool. My friend says that guy in the black seven (it's a Birkin) still races around here. I thought it was the coolest thing...
Has anyone tried removable engine mounts fixed to the chassis with hefty bolts?
That way you could support your lump and lift the front of the car up and over. Never having to remove tube 'R'. In fact put another one
in across the other diagonal.
Or am I talking b0110x?
[Edited on 21/7/04 by madforfishing]
I built my chassis for the pinto and found the R tube was in the way of the alternator so I fitted it to the other side of the engine bay. If I take the alternator and engine mounts off I can lower it to the ground but it's easier to leave it connected to the gearbox and hoist it all out at once.
quote:
Originally posted by Peteff
so I fitted it to the other side of the engine bay.