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Good luck with sorting out the life changes Paul. If you're having an extended summer holiday I hope to see your car finished some time soon then...
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Mr T - Cheers.
I am now looking forward to some time off and will then plan a route back into work. I'll probably take on some temporary/interim positions before committing to a permanent role. Although at this rate, I'm not convinced there will be a completed car any time soon. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Quick Update: Unfortunately, despite having the best weather of my entire build, I have made no progress. :icon_sad: The reality is that leaving my job after 18 long years took a lot more out of me than I expected. My last day of paid holiday is today and then everything will finally be "done & dusted". However, my wife has just taken on some extra work because I was available for child minding. :rolleyes: So it will be a little bit longer before I get a chance to spend some decent time on the car. I'd really like to get the rear frame & wheel arches sorted ASAP so I can switch my attention to the front bulk head. That is going to take a lot of beard scratching to resolve, but I am determined to fix it one way or the other. Following the progress of all the other builds on here helps with my motivation to get back into my own project. But there is one build thread that inspires me more than any other... Mister Towed's Car: I have really enjoyed followed this build and it was great to see it finally on the road. :cool: The fact that he can now join in the Phil & Barry "run outs" will really turn some heads... http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...ps81409e13.jpg Following his experiences I am considering getting my engine checked over professionally. I know my limits, and despite it's previous restoration/rebuild, it weeps oil from a lot of places. :icon_sad: Given the fact it will be some time before I am road worthy, I'll look into my options. Shopping Update: Not much to report here either, I just picked up some more cans of etch primer: http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...L/DSCF9166.jpg And Finally... I did wake one morning a while back with an unwelcome guest in my "workshop"... http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...L/DSCF9060.jpg Although, to be fair, I'd be more worried if there were hounds & people on horses giving chase. :icon_wink: Hopefully I will have something more substantial to report shortly. Until then, take care, Paul. :) |
Paul, good to see you back in the fold posting again. I am also at a bit of a standstill as the summer is my busiest work period and also took on the re engine job as a favour for a fellow Tiger owner that is taking longer than anticipated...shocker!!
Now get back out there and get cracking! |
Small Steps...
After a long period of inactivity, it was nice to play with the car again today, even if it was for a short while. First job was to finally see if the rear wheel arches would fit around the framework after my last cutting session... https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w...o/DSCF9171.JPG The short answer was no! Not exactly sure why, but the angle cut outs to match the frame were very tight on both sides... https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-U...o/DSCF9169.JPG Still, this was nothing a quick session with the angle grinder couldn't fix... https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G...o/DSCF9172.JPG Then it was easier to see where I needed to trim the outside edges of the wheel arches... https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-u...o/DSCF9176.JPG Again, a quick session with the angle grinder got the shape I needed... https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J...o/DSCF9179.JPG The good news is that I can now push the hand brake panel far enough forward to line up with the chassis holes. Not a great photo, but the green dot was marked on the frame above the seat belt holes in the Spitfire chassis... https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2...o/DSCF9182.JPG The not so good news is that with the front of the wheel arches in place, there is a problem with the rear... https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5...o/DSCF9185.JPG The frame mounting points do not line up with the corresponding holes in the wheel arches... https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-P...o/DSCF9184.JPG In order to sort this out, I need to bring the frame and wheel arches back to the front of the house. This will allow me to see the chassis, frame & arches in the same place to work out what is going on. However, I need my wife's help to get the frame through the house and she was out. So instead I decided to work on boxing in the the cuts I'd made in the wheel arches. Once again a cereal box was sacrificed to make some templates (note arches are now "upside down") ... https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2...o/DSCF9186.JPG I also cut out a couple of round(ish) discs to weld over two of the holes while I was at it... https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4...o/DSCF9189.JPG I then marked up and cut out the main pieces I needed out of a section of Spitfire wheel arch in my "scrap" pile... https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4...o/DSCF9194.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r...o/DSCF9195.JPG Then using one lump hammer as an "anvil", I used another one to flatten the metal... https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x...o/DSCF9197.JPG Then I cleaned up the edges of the metal section in preparation for welding... https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5...o/DSCF9198.JPG I also cleaned up the corresponding edges on the wheel arches... https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-U...o/DSCF9202.JPG It was only when I got the welder out that I remembered I needed to change a load of parts. Thankfully I had already bought every thing I needed, but it took a while to remove & refit everything. I wanted to practise on some test pieces to get the setting right on the welder. The first problem I came across was the old paint on the Spitfire arch bursting into flames. I was too busy blowing the flames out & making sure I didn't set fire to my lawn to get a good photo. But this gives you the general idea... https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1...o/DSCF9209.JPG So before I start on the wheel arches I need to remove the paint from the outer surfaces of the wheel arch pieces. ( Which are on the opposite sides to the ones with the cleaned edges above. ) Hopefully this will help me avoid this... https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-z...o/DSCF9205.JPG As it was past my power tools curfew, I called it a night. With a bit of luck I will get a chance to do some more tomorrow. ( I will also do some more practise welding as it was hard to get a good weld that didn't blow a hole. ) Until then, take care, Paul. :) Replies: Viatron - Cheers Mac, it is good to be back at it again. |
Been there, done that, and I can remeber the smell of the fumes just thinking about it :)
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Just got back to the PC and catching up on this thread.
Work / Life balance is a difficult juggling act - I quit my job two years ago and now I'm so busy working 6 days a week no time for car(s) or much else - it would be great if I was making heaps of money rather than just a few beer tokens... Those fumes could be quite nasty and not something to be 'sniffed' at.. In respect of welding I was thinking about going to a local adult education class (ooh Matron!) if such things still exist, just to brush up a bit (ooh Mat..etc ). |
Even Smaller Steps...
Life has got in the way a bit recently, but I did get a couple of hours on the car. I started by scrapping the old paint from the underside of my small sections of metal... https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-R...o/DSCF9212.JPG I then cleaned up more of both sides as I remembered that one section will join at an angle. After cutting another couple of sections from the Spitfire wing, I did some more practise welding. This was my test piece from the other day... https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-J...o/DSCF9214.JPG This was today, where the final weld on the right melted into the two pieces nicely & "disappeared" when ground down. https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-z...o/DSCF9219.JPG Unfortunately my camera seems to playing up at the moment and I'm not getting clear photos. I then welded the first section into the rear wheel arches... https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-m...o/DSCF9222.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7...o/DSCF9221.JPG My welding is still a bit hit and miss, but this piece actually feels very solid. Hopefully I will get a chance to put the other sides in over the weekend. Cheers, Paul. :) PS I remembered by the frame & arches were not lining up at the back. The hole in the arches is "double sided", so the top hole is higher than the chassis. Whereas the frame mounts are designed to bolt direct to the chassis. My original plan was to cut out the arch to allow the frame to fit. Although I am now tempted to cut the frame to match the arch. But I'll worry about all that another day. Replies: Dave - Thankfully no fires today. Nigel - I actually send an email off the other day asking about a local welding course. |
I must admit the small amount of welding I've completed on the Land Rover (since my City & Guilds course) has not been to structural parts (limited to bulkhead holes and footwell thin sheets) but they've come out quite well. Could always do with a refresher though.
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Quote:
<sigh> |
A little more welding...
Finished off welding in the two side pieces & "disc" to form my first boxed section of the rear arches. Again it appears to be pot luck when I get nice welds, but at least I know what they look/sound like. I also had a bit of practise at filling in the small holes I blew through the metal. :rolleyes: So I know it is not pretty, but at least it is done and does the job I need... https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m...o/DSCF9232.JPG https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-C...o/DSCF9234.JPG I then gave it a quick coat of primer... https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-R...o/DSCF9235.JPG I might get another chance to play later on this afternoon, but I have a busy day ahead. Cheers, Paul. :) Replies: Nigel - These sections I am welding now are not really structural, more "tidying up". However, the seat belt mounts were both structural & safety critical. :shock: Which is why they were massively over engineered to build in a margin for error. Dave - :icon_wink: |
Paul, could I suggest a tad more power or possibly a little less wire feed on the welder might get you a neater weld with a tad more penetration (fnar fnar)
Mac |
and get a pot of brushable seam sealer and brush over the welds prior to painting. It will seal all the little bits between the welds and protect it for longer.
Practice makes perfect and as Viatron says, more power and slower wire feed. Also don't move the weld too quickly, you aim to puddle it and 'drag' the puddle along the joint. Start with little circles lapping each side of the joint. Good luck! |
Mac & Tony - Thanks for the welding tips as I am here to learn, cheers. :cool:
Slower wire feed seemed to help, but more power blew holes, as did moving a bit too slowly. :rolleyes: But I did manage a series of nice "spot" welds on one edge (see below). Seam Sealer was actually on my list of things to find out more about, so will do. Small welding improvements... I did get a chance to do a little bit more on the car in the early evening. I started with a bit more practise on my test piece with the tips above. I then tried it in out for real with the first section on the other side of the wheel arch... https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-e...o/DSCF9236.JPG Note: I did finish welding the bottom edge after this photo was taken. But it did come together (for a little while) as the second section was welded in. ( I think the angle and distance I hold the welder away makes a difference too. ) https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6...o/DSCF9240.JPG By now it was too late to start the angle grinder up. However, this little run of welds have penetrated properly and will not need much "dressing". :cool: https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-K...o/DSCF9239.JPG I know I still have a lot to learn, but this was the most I've done with thin metal. Until next time, take care, Paul. :) |
Definate improvement there Paul, thin sheet is actually the most difficult to weld micely so your doing well.
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More Welding...
I finished off the "boxing" section I was working on yesterday... https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R...o/DSCF9252.JPG I then added a small repair "slither" of metal into this cut further along the arches. Before: https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-s...o/DSCF9253.JPG After: ( Arches are now flipped over so I could weld both edges. ) https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7...o/DSCF9254.JPG ( Note: I did notice the couple of gaps in the bottom edge & went back over them later on. ) Then I turned my attention to one of the outside sections of the rear arches... https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-F...o/DSCF9248.JPG In the end, when I was cleaning this section up, it was easier to remove a damaged section from the bottom edge... https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-I...o/DSCF9256.JPG Then it was back to the cereal box to make some more templates... https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-n...o/DSCF9257.JPG These were small enough for me to use the off cuts from the lowered floor pans... https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-A...o/DSCF9259.JPG I hope to get a chance to clean these up and weld them into place tomorrow. So until then, take care, Paul. :) Replies Mac - Cheers. At least with all the welding I need to do I am getting a chance to practise. |
Still Welding...
First job was to clean up the two pieces I cut out yesterday and then weld them in place. The first section was straight forward... https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-v...o/DSCF9263.JPG But the second section required a bit of "shaping". So once I had welded in the the top of the piece on three sides I hammered it into shape. I then finished off the welding and I have a nice gentle bend (if not nice welds :rolleyes: ). Note: Camera is still playing up, so I am not using "soft focus" to hide my welding, honest. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o...o/DSCF9264.JPG Question: - What do you use to grind welds (or anything else for that matter) in hard to reach places? This is the view from the front... https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t...o/DSCF9265.JPG With one end section done, it was time to fix the other side, which was more of a mess to start with... https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_...o/DSCF9267.JPG I clamped up the various sections on metal that overlap here & welded the edges together. Before: https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-C...o/DSCF9269.JPG After: https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3...o/DSCF9270.JPG ( Again, forgive the poor photos, but hopefully you can get the general idea. ) I then did the same thing on the edges on the other side too. https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-d...o/DSCF9273.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a...o/DSCF9274.JPG Then it was time to apply a liberal coating of "Kurust" inside and out... https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o...o/DSCF9275.JPG While I was waiting for that to dry, I made another cardboard template... https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-J...o/DSCF9276.JPG This will be the most complicated of all the boxing in I have done so far. However, at this point the storm clouds were gathering over head and it didn't look good. With lots of electrical stuff out on the grass I decided to start packing up early just in case. With everything put away I just had time to roughly cut out some metal to make the pieces I need. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F...o/DSCF9277.JPG ( 2 x left over bits of lowered floor pans + 1 section of Spitfire wing. ) I will finish cutting these out tomorrow and see if I can weld them all together. All this work on the rear wheel arches is taking a lot of time. But there is some real satisfaction in seeing the end result. :cool: I intend to put some body filler over the welds to give a smoother look. Until next time, take care, Paul. :) |
Frankenstein Repair...
Just squeezed in a bit of work on the car this evening. Started by cutting out and cleaning up the 4 pieces I need for "boxing in"... https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C...o/DSCF9279.JPG In the end, these required quite a bit of final trimming to work. My ham fisted attempts at creating a temporary vice were a complete waste of time. :rolleyes: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g...o/DSCF9281.JPG It was easier to simply hold the metal to one hammer while hitting it with the other. This cave man approach did give me the double bend that I needed to slot the main piece into place... https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-r...o/DSCF9282.JPG With so many bits to weld together & various other repairs while I was at it, the result was a bit of a mess... https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_...o/DSCF9284.JPG https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-o...o/DSCF9286.JPG But thankfully the over all effect is a lot stronger than is looks & this is the view from the front... https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-V...o/DSCF9288.JPG Given this was the "Before" shot, I am actually quite pleased with the result. :cool: https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_...o/DSCF9267.JPG Obviously I'd like to be able to do neater work, but I still have a lot to learn. My plan for tomorrow (time & weather permitting) is to apply some body filler to smoother over the welds & joins. That way I should end up with something that looks a lot better. :pray: Until then, take care, Paul. :) |
good work Paul.
I find it is easier to tack weld a piece on and then shape it in situ as I weld it in. The welding heats up the metal and makes it easier to work with. Get yourself a cheap set of body repair hammers which have varying different heads - like a pick and chisel etc so you can shape things easily. It is just practice now and the more you do, the better you will get! |
Good work Paul, keep plugging away. As above, tack one edge in place then tap, tack, tap, tack,
Still think a little more power is required as some of your beads still sit on the surface of the steel you really want the bead to blend between the 2 surfaces. It also wont help that your welding outside as the slightest breeze blows the gas shield away. That said I admire your perseverance! |
Body Filler...
I can't remember how many years it has been since I used any body filler in anger. But it is funny how quickly what a messy job it is comes flooding back from your memory. This is what my rear arches are looking like after all my welding work... https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--...o/DSCF9291.JPG I accept Tony's previous comments about using seam sealer. But as the arches are currently stored under a tree, I needed to at least prime the bare metal. This is what the boxed in sections looked like before... Driver's Side: https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-O...o/DSCF9295.JPG Passenger Side: https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-j...o/DSCF9292.JPG This was my body shop. :rolleyes: https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6...o/DSCF9296.JPG And this was "after" ... Driver's Side: https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-a...o/DSCF9297.JPG Passenger Side: https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Q...o/DSCF9298.JPG Then it was simply a case of flipping the wheel arches over... https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-s...o/DSCF9299.JPG And slapping on more filler... Driver's Side: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_...o/DSCF9303.JPG Passenger Side: https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-K...o/DSCF9304.JPG My mix ratio of hardener to filler was a bit hit & miss, which limited my working time. But I guess there will be plenty of other areas for me to practise working with filler on this build. :icon_wink: For now, I will wait overnight before sanding the mess I've made into something a bit smoother. Cheers, Paul. :) Replies Tony & Mac - Thanks for the encouragement guys. :cool: My mate who supplied the welder also has some panel beating tools, I'll give him a shout. The conditions outside do vary from day to day, which certainly isn't helping my welding. |
Paul, for inside corners get yourself some rubber or vinyl gloves £6 or £7 a box, you can then apply the filler using your finger to the inside corners then drag your fingers down it and you should have an almost perfect finish.
Keep up the good work. |
Hi Paul,
I like what you are doing. I'm sure sanding en painting will transform this workpiece in something very pretty. And I'm confident that the welds wil hold too. I had doubts about the strengt of my own welding. On the chassis etc. But then I considered the state of corrosion that had been there in the first place. It couldn't have more then 15% of the original strength left. The welds would sure do better then that! |
Replies:
Mac - I was actually using those rubber gloves, but the filler was setting too quickly on me. :rolleyes: Michiel - Thanks, although your chassis welding looks a lot neater than mine. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dodging the rain... Despite the weather forecast predicting a dry day today, it kept bucketing down. :( So it was quite late in the day when I finally had a chance to tidy up the body filler. It was a complete mess in places, but at least it was set hard... https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-U...o/DSCF9305.JPG Given that this is not external bodywork, or on show in any way, it was grinding time. Whilst this certainly speeded up the process, it did sent filler dust everywhere... https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-W...o/DSCF9307.JPG https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-g...o/DSCF9306.JPG Then it was simply a case of brushing the areas down & wiping them with white spirit. I then gave each section another coat of etch primer so they will be ready for black paint soon. https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-c...o/DSCF9308.JPG https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-w...o/DSCF9312.JPG https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-A...o/DSCF9309.JPG Oops, looks like I didn't actually take an "after" photo of the view above. :rolleyes: https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-m...o/DSCF9314.JPG https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--...o/DSCF9316.JPG https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-T...o/DSCF9315.JPG https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-m...o/DSCF9317.JPG I needed to apply a last bit of filler on a small section that I managed to miss yesterday... https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-M...o/DSCF9313.JPG I also remembered I want to weld in a repair piece to this section of the boot floor... https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-w...o/DSCF9318.JPG This is where my rear silencers will be mounted once I have drilled some holes in the right places. ( I will also strengthen this area when the rear arches are finally fitted. ) The forecast for tomorrow is some serious rain, so we will see if I can get anything done. Cheers, Paul. :) PS I think I'm having problems with my old camera as I have just bought a new "bridge" camera. And you know how jealous these electronic gadgets can get. :icon_wink: I have still got to get the hang of it, but I took this photo last night. The view from my bedroom window during the England vs. Scotland match. :cool: ( Obviously the zoom makes it appear a bit closer than it actually is. ) https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1...o/IMG_0013.JPG |
Good job - It looks as if it could've just left the Triumph factory!
I hope that isn't too much of an insult... |
Not raining at the moment, Paul... but i can't see Wembley today.
http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/...IMG_0050-1.jpg |
Replies:
Mr T - I assume you are referring to factory output on a Friday afternoon? Which would certainly account for the collapse of the British mass produced car industry. :icon_wink: GaryH - With that many train tracks near by I hope your windows are sound proofed. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Black... It was raining / wet for most of the morning, but I did get a break in the late afternoon. :cool: Let me start with the "after" photo I forget to take yesterday. :rolleyes: https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-u...o/DSCF9319.JPG First job was to give a quick grind & clean up of the body filler I applied yesterday... https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-B...o/DSCF9320.JPG Then this was given a quick coat of etch primer... https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-G...o/DSCF9321.JPG And later on, when that was dry, it got a coat of black bitumen paint... https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-i...o/DSCF9325.JPG This was actually the last bit I painted, as I did the most of the underside first... https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4...o/DSCF9322.JPG The good news is that with all the "boxed in repairs now one colour they look much better. The bad news is that because that colour is black it is hard to get a good photo. Driver's side: https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8...o/DSCF9323.JPG Passenger side: https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-m...o/DSCF9324.JPG Then I flipped the whole thing over so I could paint the "top side"... ( Note: I've left the boot floor for now, as there is a lot of repair work required in that area. ) https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-L...o/DSCF9326.JPG Driver's side: https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-s...o/DSCF9328.JPG Passenger side: https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_...o/DSCF9327.JPG So slow progress, but still progress none the less. :cool: Until next time, take care, Paul. :) |
It looks very good. I'm curious how it all turns out when everything is in place.
Michiel |
Replies:
Michiel - So am I! :icon_wink: I will need to add spacers between the chassis & the rear mounting point of the rear arches. This will "lift" the hand brake section higher than stock, which would have sat flush on the chassis. As I need to put the internal framework & floor pans on top of the Spitfire chassis. Then the hand brake panel should sit on top of that (touch wood). - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Take Cover... I will have to focus on some domestic matters for the next 2 weeks. So this morning was a race against the rain promised this afternoon to "tidy up". I put the rear wheel arches and the rear internal framework together... https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-S...o/DSCF9329.JPG Then I had to drag a pile of stuff from the front drive, through the house, into the back garden. Front Drive - Before: https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-J...o/DSCF9330.JPG Front Drive - After: https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0...o/DSCF9331.JPG This pile includes the front bulkhead frame & various other pits & pieces... https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-i...o/DSCF9332.JPG And another job done... https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8...o/DSCF9333.JPG Apart from tidying up the front drive, there was another reason to move this parts. The next big job for me will be to finally fit the rear suspension lowering block. And in order to do that, I will need space to the side to pull the leaf spring out. With a bit of luck & a fair wind, I will start on that the first week in September. Until then, take care, Paul. :) |
Hi Paul,
I haven't figured out yet what the problems are with the hand braking. I really don't get the arguments. The cable runs to a fixed position on the chassis. (these slot bends). I don't understand why placing the handbrake/pull mechanism a little different would make braking any better or worse. You have to adjust the cable between the two brakes with suitable tension and the pull cable. I see no problem there. And then you have the argument of lowering the suspension. I don't get that either. The slot bends are practically at the same place as the U-joints of the shafts. So if there is wheel travel, the cable should travel with the shaft having the same pivot point (approx). Apperently it's not a very good design in the first place, maybe that is the trouble. I can see 1 catch however that could be looked over. I think you have to adjust the lever that converts the movement of the pull cable to the movement of the cable between the brakes. Firstly you can adjust the points where the cables meet the lever. And then you have to find the correct angle of the lever (which is the ballance between adjusting the pull cable and the cable between the drums). It's a sinus effect. When the lever is 90 degrees with the car, all pulling movement, will be translated in the "right" direction. But if the ever is more in line withe the car, you loose efficiency (the "slot bracket" pulling the drum cable is also moved to side, which is not going to help you braking) . I beleive you have to adjust the leverarm to 15 degrees "BTC". That way you get maximum efficiency when the lever is turning 30 degrees when pulled. Michiel |
The issue with the Herald/Vitesse handbrake mechanism is that the swing axle arrangement means that the levers on the rear brake cylinders that the brake cable running through the compensator (that 'U' shaped thing) attaches to move closer together or further apart depending on where the suspension is in its travel.
With the tension set correctly with the car at a standstill, if you take the weight off the back end, as if you were going over a hump back bridge, the tops of the wheels move further apart and pull the handbrake on. This hasn't been a problem on the road for me (so far), and I just explained the dynamics of it to the MOT chappy when he noticed that the rear wheels locked up when he jacked the back up. I moved my curved guide tubes up onto extensions I welded onto the frame so that the cable wasn't sitting at an angle that was bound to lead to fraying and failure, and so far so good... Hope that all makes sense :) |
I don't have the guides on my Mk2...
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Replies / Possible Crossed Wires?
I appear to be causing some confusion with my descriptions (again :rolleyes: ). I have no intention on re-inventing the hand brake mechanism itself. The Spitfire hand brake panel will be in the same place as stock (if a little higher horizontally). That way I can re-use the original hand brake and reconnect the existing cables. This arrangement was tested by a garage before I removed the body tub and all worked OK. ( Although I will check that fitting a lowering block doesn't cause any problems. ) Hope that makes a bit more sense, Paul. :) |
Hi Paul, MrT,
I have the same thought, I'm not looking for changes to the hand brakes as well. Thank you Mr T for the explanation, how it works. So, it's a swing spring thing! I wouldn't like it if the wheels are braking when you ride over a bump. But apparently it is not a issue in practice. That's good. We can proceed with convidence then :tea: michiel |
Quick Update:
I've not been able to work on the car recently as we went on a family holiday to Florida. :cool: This is all part of leaving my job and getting a better balance between work & home. We were staying in Orlando and did the usual theme and water park things which were great. I also use the power of the internet to arrange a visit to see my dream kit car in the flesh. I'd previously joined a US kit car forum as part of my research into building one of these... http://img4i.spoki.tvnet.lv/upload/a...-Hot-Rod-7.jpg One of the forum members who lived near where we were staying invited me to his garage. It was great to chat with him and compare kit car building notes as this is a very high end kit. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M...o/IMG_0212.JPG https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-j...o/IMG_0213.JPG https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5...o/IMG_0214.JPG https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-x...o/IMG_0215.JPG https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-t...o/IMG_0216.JPG The lesson's I've learnt from this build mean that I would love to build one of these cars one day. However, that day is a long way off, as I would only consider it when I had a garage to work in. I also know that I'd need a lot more time on my hands too (i.e. when my children have left home!). We also picked up a couple of ideas for paint... My daughters thought this pink Mustang was "cute": https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-B...o/IMG_0223.JPG Where as, deep down, I was drawn to the flames: https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4...o/DSCF9483.JPG Hopefully I will be able to get back to my own car in the next few days. Cheers, Paul. :) |
Looks like you have had a great time in America. Nice pictures of cars..
I am leaving to go to Las Vagas on Saturday. I other half has rented me a Dodge viper for the two weeks . Should be a good time, i realy need a break :biggrin: |
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Just returned from a month in California and took in Vegas and got married whilst I was there...elvis etc ha ha it was great |
Starting in*Las*vagas*, and stopping several times working right down to * *san*Fransisco. We are also getting married in Vagas, the valley of fire..
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Never been into Detroit Iron myself, but I love all of those!
Could make real use of the last one at work :madgrin: |
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