andylancaster3000
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| posted on 26/6/05 at 08:38 PM |
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Engine/Gearbox positioning
We have got to the stage in our build of positioning the engine to be able to mount the tubes at the end of the tran' tunnel. We are trying to
do this while on the build table which I think may be preventing me from getting it in the correct position.
The engine we are putting in has a dry sump which is resting on the table surface. The sump is a 3-4 inches shallower than a wet sump so the engine
can't go any lower than it is now (if we were to use a wet sump) or it would be dangerously close to the ground. However, the engine seems to be
sitting very high. Far too high for normal looking book chassis bonnet. At the moment the lower edge of the bellhousing is also resting on the table
surface, therefore level with the lower edge of the chassis rails. Is this the correct height?
The last three pics in my archieve show this.
The question, is this the correct height or does it need to sit lower? So engine positioned when off the table (or the chassis raised slightlyoff the
table)
Also is the fore/aft positioning right correct? As it seems, any further forward and the gear stick is too far away but at the moment the available
space for the footwell is a little tight!
Hope this makes sense,
Andy
(again please excuse large, bad quality pics!)
[Edited on 26/6/05 by andylancaster3000]
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ned
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| posted on 26/6/05 at 08:49 PM |
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Andy,
Progress looks good, I might suggest putting the tranny tunnel in and purchasing the westfield (stiffer) type 9 rubber mount (about £12).
Get the engine/gearbox as far back as is reasonably possible (you can build the tranny tunnel to suit and footwell area etc) to get the weight as near
50/50 as is poss. Re the engine height, check the height of the bonnet/scuttle to give some idea, also take a look at other cvh users archives to get
an idea (eg surrey dave) then take a couple of inches off to allow for the extra clearance with the dry sump.
Obviously the lower the engine the better the CoG, rule of thumb for wet sump cars is 1" below bottom chassis rail, this should still give you
enough clearance, if worried put the sump level with the bottom of the chassis. IIRC the bellhousing will always be a bit lower and is near the centre
of the wheelbase so will be the first part of the car to bottom-out. if really concerned you could probably get away with cutting some of the bottom
off the bellhousing if you're careful.
Obviously its up to you, but the above is what i what try to get the best balance and CoG in the car. You have a lowline rocker cover, so no worries
about bonnet clearance anyway..
Ned.
[Edited on 26/6/05 by ned]
beware, I've got yellow skin
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britishtrident
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| posted on 26/6/05 at 09:12 PM |
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The bellhousing should hang a fair bit below the chassis, there is a drawing kicking around the net showing the standard Westie installation height
for the CVH.
The engine should go as far back as possible and still give 25mm clearance to the bulkhead, on my car this meant building the driverside tunnel a
distinct dog leg.
 
Rescued attachment MotorSectCVH.jpg
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andylancaster3000
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| posted on 26/6/05 at 09:30 PM |
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Thanks for the quick reply guys! Some helpful point made
Britishtrident: I don't think I could ask for a much better diagram! I'll use that as reference (as the standard westie is practically the
same as a locost isn't it?) and lower it slightly due to the shallower sump.
I have a couple of bellhousings so I think I may ask my grandfather to mill some off the bottom as it is quite significantly lower than the sump.
Having said that, when the normal flywheel goes on it can't hang below the bellhousing for obvious reasons!
Thanks again,
Andy
[Edited on 26/6/05 by andylancaster3000]
[Edited on 26/6/05 by andylancaster3000]
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andylancaster3000
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| posted on 26/6/05 at 09:54 PM |
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Just been out to measure that 127mm vertical height and at the moment the centreline of the crank is 145mm from the table so it can come down at very
least by an inch.
Andy
[Edited on 26/6/05 by andylancaster3000]
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