hi allthough im new to locost builders i have been messing about in my garage with loads of steel and a book on how to build a sports car.the trouble is the book seems to tell a few porkys.like tube [y]is it to small? and [z]the same?.could[r] be left out till the engine is fitted.i all so have a ford rear live axle about 52"WIDE FROM WHEEL FACE TO WHEEL FACE the diff looks slightly off centre and the breather is on the right looking from the rear.could i use it and does anyone know what it is out of or will it be too wide for a standard chassis.just one more is it only possible to use a mk1 or 2 steeringrack.any answers would be greatfull.as im sick of buying those yellow and green papers

Hi Heyzee

I have just completed my chassis using only the book for reference and yes, some of the sizes are wrong. Answers to your questions are:

Yes, y is too short. Measure your finished distance between RU1 and RU2 for the correct length. Weld on extensions at the other side of RU1 and RU2 to extend y to the full chassis width - 42".

Z should be okay but it is better to wait until your axle and panhard rod are fitted to locate the best position and length for z.

R can be left out until your engine is fitted.

Your axle is about the correct width for a book chassis. It is probably an Anglia or Escort. I collect my Escort axle on Tuesday, I will measure it and send you the size.

It is best to use a Mk1 or MK2 Escort rack as it the correct width for the book chassis. These are readily available.

Hopefully this will help you.

Happy building,

Duncan.

ps, don't buy the yellow and green papers. Just read the relevant sections and note any useful telephone numbers you need

thanx for the answers should be able to get on a bit now cheers

I don't know if it would be any help, I have just measured my Capri 2.0S axle, it is 52" between the backplates.

Does yours look anything like this?


Rescued attachment DCP_0359sml.jpg

If you want chassis plans without errors, get McSorely ones, if you havent got them, let me know and I will email them to you

Mark

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Originally posted by Mark Allanson
If you want chassis plans without errors, get McSorely ones, if you havent got them, let me know and I will email them to you

Mark

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Wrist firmly smacked

Holds head low in remorse

quote:

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Originally posted by Mark Allanson
Wrist firmly smacked

Holds head low in remorse

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I know Jim pretty well, so I'll step in here

I'm sure Jim would not be upset at plans being e-mailed, but I'm sure he'd prefer visiting the site just to be sure you got the latest.

There....diplomatic enough?

Now kiss and make up....

Feelings not really hurt, I got the plans from a fellow locoster trying to help me out, I was simply reciprocating.
I found the plans really good except for the top angles on the m uprights and the n rails which I think he got the angles mixed up. I only wasted about 2' of steel apart from that they were brilliant.
The fellow locoster I am trying to help out is using a Capri axle, I have just finished modifying the plans to make it fit, it is not as simple as it seems, the offset of the pinion is quite extreem, and needs modification to the tranny tunnel to make fit.
There was a lot of post a while ago about how the Capri axle would fit without any modifications, I think by members who had not actually fitted this axle to a locost chassis. it proves you cannot beleive everything you read!
I hope Jim has not taken any offence, he is really making a difference to how we are making chassis's over here, hats off to him

Appologetically
Mark

quote:

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Originally posted by Mark Allanson
The fellow locoster I am trying to help out is using a Capri axle, I have just finished modifying the plans to make it fit, it is not as simple as it seems, the offset of the pinion is quite extreem, and needs modification to the tranny tunnel to make fit.
There was a lot of post a while ago about how the Capri axle would fit without any modifications, I think by members who had not actually fitted this axle to a locost chassis. it proves you cannot beleive everything you read!

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Dick, I am using a Salisbury Atlas with a ratio of 3.77:1. The pinion is exactly 1" off the centre line when added to the width of the input flange adds up to a fair bit. The pinion also extends a fair way into the tranny tunnel to compound the problem
Rescued attachment DCP_0259sml.jpg

has anyone completed a car with this setup, and found a more elegant solution than this?

I'm using a Cortina axle which also has an offset diff. I just put it all in then built the tranny tunnel to fit around it - no probs. The drivers side is a little snugger now, but the seats I bought fit fine.

Mark,
Thanks for fully illustrating your reply. I can now see the extent of your problem. I'll try to get to a scanner (or digi-snap the chassis & diff) with my similarly problematic area.

Dick

OK Mark,

Here's the principal shot of my diff area. You'll see that there appears to be no interference problem right at the diff nose. However, at the next vertical trans tunnel upright, there will be a foul point with the prop-shaft.

I'll post the other pics in the photo files area.
Rescued attachment Raxle2.JPG

quote:

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Originally posted by Dick Axtell
OK Mark,

Here's the principal shot of my diff area. You'll see that there appears to be no interference problem right at the diff nose. However, at the next vertical trans tunnel upright, there will be a foul point with the prop-shaft.

I'll post the other pics in the photo files area.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Viper:
That pic shows an english axle which was fitted to escorts, Marks axle is an Atlas which you would find on capri's...the Atlas is considerably wider Hope this helps../quote]

Thanks for the advice re the checking, Viper. Just to clarify the differences between these axles - mine came from a Mk2 (German-built) Capri 1600, although as you correctly identified, it was the "English", or Timken axle (all threads are UNF). What you refer to as the "Atlas" type seems to be called Salisbury type in the Haynes manual. Backplate-to-backplate dimensions should be identical (52 inches). The larger-engined Capris may have had yet another version of the axle.
The foul point on my chassis will only be verified when I try to fit the propshaft. Before that, I must re-locate the engine slightly forwards, to ensure clearance between bellhousing & bulkhead.
Dick

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Viper - 5/1/03 at 09:29 PM

Dick.
salisbury is the diff, atlas is the axle, ford also used the atlas in mk2 rally escorts, though these are bloody expensive they are shortened versions and have fully floating half shafts and they called it the baby atlas, all capris manufactured after october 1976 were built in germany. are you sure it was a mk2 and not a mk1 ? i have never seen a mk2 with an english axle though i know when the mk2 was introduced the rear wheel track was widened! This has me intrigued as i have little experiance with mk1's how wide is your axle? If you havent guessed capri's have a place in my heart..

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Mark Allanson - 5/1/03 at 10:03 PM

I bought my axle from a scrappy, he said it came from a 2.0S Mk3. I rang my local ford dealer with the casting number from the diff, and they said this casting was first used on the Mk1 Granada!!, but ford never update the casting numbers from the first application, the ratio is 3.77 or possible 3.75 (I counted), do you know which Capri this came from?

Dicks axle has mounts for an antirollbar, does this exclude the Mk1?

We are relying on you soft spot for Capri's for an answer

Thanks
Mark

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Viper - 5/1/03 at 10:59 PM

To the best of my knowledge all the 2.0 had 3.44:1 the 1.6 was 3.75.1 i am pretty sure the 2.0s had wider brakeshoes than the smaller engined cars.
Any use?

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Dick Axtell - 10/1/03 at 05:08 PM

quote:

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Originally posted by Viper
ford also used the atlas in mk2 rally escorts

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And they also provided much-modified bodyshells for rally specialists to build RWD Mk3 Escorts (using Mk2 running gear). Saw one in Evesham last year.

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Viper - 10/1/03 at 05:29 PM

quote:

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Originally posted by Dick Axtell

quote:

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Originally posted by Viper
ford also used the atlas in mk2 rally escorts

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And they also provided much-modified bodyshells for rally specialists to build RWD Mk3 Escorts (using Mk2 running gear). Saw one in Evesham last year.

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I don't think ford supplied modded shells it is people like Getrag (think that's how to spell it) who used to build such beasts, still are to the best of my knowledge.

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interestedparty - 10/1/03 at 05:37 PM

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Originally posted by Viper
I don't think ford supplied modded shells it is people like Getrag (think that's how to spell it) who used to build such beasts, still are to the best of my knowledge.

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Gartrac, actually, but you got very close! (Getrag are the german gearbox makers)

John

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Viper - 10/1/03 at 05:41 PM

quote:

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Originally posted by interestedparty

quote:

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Originally posted by Viper
I don't think ford supplied modded shells it is people like Getrag (think that's how to spell it) who used to build such beasts, still are to the best of my knowledge.

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Gartrac, actually, but you got very close! (Getrag are the german gearbox makers)

John

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Hmmmmyou are bang on, must be all the alckiholl (my excuse and i am sticking to it)

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