Scottie's Tribute A352 build

[deggsy]

another typo cur should be cut????

[8 Valve Ed]

Originally Posted by 8 Valve Ed

My guess is that the chassis is exactly level with the road in your case Scottie!

It's quite easy to check without any special gear, if you take a brake calliper off, and screw two bolts back where the calliper attaches, with the car level (or as it would be if it were on it's tyres), place a small plumb rule against the bolts, they should be vertical with the steering straight ahead.

I got that wrong...

The two bolts should be at the castor angle. Sorry.

This is based on the two bolts being drilled and tapped at the same alignment as the top and bottom pivot points, which they are in most cases. This tip applies to most cars. I have a small level which has a rotating bubble at one end, I simply set the bubble to the castor angle then place it against the two bolts. It may not be perfect but I don't believe other methods are perfect either, except perhaps on a new car, in clinical conditions. I believe with care, my method is close enough to get the setting within acceptable tolerances, and definitely out of the danger zone.

To simplify this, think of the headstock of a pushbike, it leans backwards, also the forks are bent so the wheel is in front of the line through the headstock, that is the castor. It's what helps the wheels self centre and keeps the car stable, preventing wandering.

[Mister Towed]

I wouldn't get too hung up on tracking/castor/camber 'issues' Scottie, just get it on the road and see how it feels.

Mine's been on the road for almost two years now and covered about 6,000 miles. I kept the castor angle as it left the factory and put a bit of toe in on the back wheels and a bit of toe out on the fronts (adjusting the back to have a bit less and the front to have a bit more after a couple of test drives) and it handles, steers and stops sweetly. It hasn't even worn the knobbly bits off the tyres yet - these cars are very light and don't put much strain on the tyres. If you had a big, heavy saloon body and the car leaned in corners then the suspension geometry would clearly be critical, but in a low, light rollerskate of a car it doesn't seem to make much difference.

Now get it to the MOT station!

[8 Valve Ed]

Originally Posted by deggsy

another typo cur should be cut????

I blame the auto correct, in my opinion it causes more errors than it fixes, because it inserts correctly spelt, therefore not highlighted words. That means you have to be much more careful when proof reading a post. If the typo's or errors were highlighted they would be easier to spot and correct with the right word. The auto correct won't be a success until it becomes context aware.

Also, for some reason I don't understand, I can miss a mistake or wrong word before I make the post, but is becomes visible to me once it's actually posted, so I now always proof read again after posting. They don't make it easy!

I am tempted to turn off the auto correct but for some reason I don't?

Sorry for rant!

[deggsy]

Perfectly plausible I'll use that excuse as well.

[Scottie22]

Well, I took Mr Towed's advice, and braved the impending dense thunderstorms, to drive out to myMot station.

The Mot tester took one look at the stance of the car and reached for the Taplow meter, mumbling about " never fit on the rollers...."

I was even complemented about the engineering on the car and it passed the Mot!!!

I really was grinning like the proverbial Cheshire on the way home!

I then took my V5c, (which I had been hanging on to like grim death) to the
post office and "taxed" the car, which cost nothing as its classed as an historic vehicle, so now I am legal to be on the road.

I fitted my newly arrived "tax disc" in the window.

I will now post off my form V627/1, and re-register the car with its new body and colour.

To be honest, I hope they will rename it A "Triumph XKSS" but don't really give a toss what they call it, because just driving it is sheer bliss.

The car drives very nicely, the steering is tight and precise, the ride is firm, and it handles well.

And the exhaust note!

I could, and will, listen to that all day!
It burbles away normally, and howls when the right foot goes a bit heavy!

It is a bit loud, but hey come on, its supposed to be a road-going bloody racing car! It has to be loud.

When I get round to it, I will try to get some sort of video and/or soundtrack made so I can post it.

Pics:

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[deggsy]

Congratulations an inspiration to us all.

[Scottie22]

Thanks Derek, ref the screen you intend to use, I am assuming your body-shell is wider than mine?

Reason I think that is because I went the same route as you, and was going to use the Minx rear screen but as far as I remember, it was too wide by far, so I opted for the Morris Minor one I have now.

[Redandy]

Fabulous car, so well done, a great build diary and write up. we've shared your joy and pain all the way...

a real credit to you, i hope you thoroughly enjoy it and it gives you years of pleasure.

a virtual beer from me, you really earned it!

[a big scary monster]

Excellent, look forward to seeing it, did you check your bad self in any reflections? As the kids say.
Now you have to get your weights out and just work on your right bicep till its as big as before and you can cruise down to René s with it dangling over the door and look 'cool' together.
How did the seats fare for comfort?

[deggsy]

Scottie as far as I know I my body will be the same width as yours Hmmm I can always go to plan B cut a few inches out of the centre and have a split screen?

[Scottie22]

I had never thought of that one Derek, look forward to what ever you choose!

BSM, they are quite comfy, but have not done a long trip yet!
Time will tell, but they should be okay.

[landmannnn]

Scotty, no time wasting please. All done apart from some fettling, so time to get on with the next project, Stoneleigh 2016 is only 11 months away.

[Car photographer]

nice!!

[Mister Towed]

Well done Scottie, great work!

[Mick O'Malley]

At this event next weekend

[garyh]

Scottie, it's the dogs nuts... I need some new builds to watch...

[8 Valve Ed]

Well done Scottie, you beat me by an hour or so, mine passed about 4pm, well done!

It's a good feeling after all that work, it almost seems an anticlimax, although I have still plenty to do on mine.

Including soldering the rad again...

[fatbloke]

Many congrats Scottie. You have created a beautiful looking car, enjoy driving it and all the attention you are bound to get.

[redratbike]

Nice one Scottie ...been a pleasure reading your build

Now sell all your xj13 bits and build a 250swb so I can follow that ha ha ha