Description

Please see the above photo. Am I missing something here? Should there be some form of blanking plate between my dump and bellhousing? I worry that such a large gap open to the elements will just be a massive crap-scoop.

So, any ideas?

Thanks
Mark

Just cut a bit of ally sheet to fit and bolt it on with the existing bolt holes, alternatively make up a full sandwich plate that fits between the bell housing and engine. Don't think there is a stock item that available, but could be wrong.

Something like this - ally sheet and a jigsaw !




[Edited on 21/2/16 by Ugg10]

[Edited on 21/2/16 by Ugg10]

Thanks for the great data. I may make one out of CF and high temp resin.

What did you do to blank the hole that looks like it's for a clutch lever arm?

CF sounds interesting so long as you can get an even thickness so that you do not put the gearbox at an angle (not good for spigot bearing/main shaft), sheets of prepreg vac bagged should be Ok I guess.

Assuming this is a Type 9 bell housing and you are using a hydraulic clutch - I would again use an ally plate, drill holes in the corners, drill into the bell housing and tap the holes - M4/M5 should be fine as there is no load on it and the bell housing should be thick enough to get at least a couple of turns, you can also seal it with some silicon/gasket sealant and put srewloc on the bolt threads to stop them vibrating out.

Hope this helps.

Hi ugg10

I will be going for resin infusion so controlling thickness is easy to do accurately, although I hadn't actually thought to think about the accuracy of the sheet. I think you make a very good point.

Ali sheet was one thing I was thinking of using but again it will be relatively easy to take a mould from that piece of the Bell housing and then make a piece of sheet that fits the profile perfectly. Also two sheets of 200 which is about the finished sheet you can infuse would also be quite flexible and may screwdown as it is. I take your point about tapping the Bell housing, that was how I was going to go as well.

Many thanks for the thoughts… It's just what I need

If you are hell bent on using composite, why not infuse between two sheets of melamine to get a flat surface on both faces? I would worry that with the pressure gradient across the infusion you will get a thicker inlet than outlet, so some weight over the bag wouldn't go amiss. Ideally, an RTM or press moulded panel would be better!