200mph
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 posted on 23/1/04 at 04:17 PM |
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tranny tunnel
I have adapted my chassis with cymtriks suggestions, one of which is using a welded steel transmission tunnel. As I was intending to add the diagonal
support suggested later on in the book which would offer some protection against propshaft failure, I dont see anyway of soing something similar
here.
What kind of protection would sheet steel offer, and does anyone have any suggestions of additional protection I could employ in the tranny tunnel?
I suppose I could weld to the side sheets a diagonal piece of RHS?
Cheers,
Mark
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Stu16v
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| posted on 23/1/04 at 08:59 PM |
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If you are really concerned with propshaft failure (and realistically, if you have one done professionally, it shouldnt do), make a couple of
'hoops' out of some 25 x 3mm flat to fit inside the tunnel almost at either end of the prop.
Yes, you could lose your legs if the propshaft fails, but it could also drop down and polevault your car into oncoming traffic. This happened on my
old mans Cortina Estate, luckily nothing was coming the other way.
The only reason it failed was he ignored the thumping sound he was getting when he was accelerating from junctions.
For about three months 
Dont just build it.....make it!
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200mph
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| posted on 23/1/04 at 09:06 PM |
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that puts my mins at rest..
was just a niggling doubt
many thanks
mark
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stephen_gusterson
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| posted on 23/1/04 at 10:19 PM |
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a locost usually has the lower floor of the tunnel panelled - at least mine is. it would have to break thro a 1.6mm steel floor.
atb
steve
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200mph
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| posted on 23/1/04 at 10:28 PM |
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I was under the impression that if the propshaft broke loose, it would cut through 1.6mm no problems?
Have I overestimated the potential problem?
Mark
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JoelP
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| posted on 23/1/04 at 10:59 PM |
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i think it depends on which end fails. If it breaks at the diff end, then damage will be less as the engine has less rotary momentum than the car
itself.
i think its worth doing the 3mm strips as a precaution, it weighs next to nothing afterall! the bottom of my tranny tunnel is open, but im not too
concerned myself. the prop on mine will be behind the seat as the gearbox is a long way back, so i have the 16g sheet, a tubular diagonal and the side
of the seat to protect myself, plus i will use a prof job anyway.
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200mph
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| posted on 23/1/04 at 11:12 PM |
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I have some titanium sheet which i got off a mate a while back??
mmm, a nice mini project for me.
Or a couple of diagonals. Just precaution
Mark
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Graceland
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| posted on 24/1/04 at 01:03 PM |
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just think yerselves lucky that you aint had the front propshaft fail on a 4x4 sierra at 130mph - i did  took the sump, gearbox, exhaust, clutch,
transmission tunnel with it, and spat the prop out into a car following me - nasty mess that was, lucky it didnt come thru the tunnel and take my legs
out - i've seen pictures of that before and its bloody scarry.
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Bob C
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| posted on 24/1/04 at 03:30 PM |
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I had a halfshaft break (3.5l V8 mx5) with no "collatoral damage" at all & was able to re-use the halfshaft (the CV joint actually
failed) But a halfshaft is much smaller & spins a quarter as fast as a prop. I'm still surprised at the tales of catastrophe though! I guess
a prop will land on the road, then bend/collapse & suddenly you have a huge bent thing spinning at 6000rpm. Love the "polevaulting"
story...
Bob C
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blueshift
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| posted on 25/1/04 at 02:33 AM |
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I had a front driveshaft go on my primera while attempting to depart enthusiastically from a set of lights. just made a clunky sound, then nothing,
just revved transmitting no power. never saw any damage, garage just replaced the driveshaft.
might have been more exciting if it was at speed. dunno.
just thought I'd share, sorry it wasn't exciting.
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JoelP
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| posted on 25/1/04 at 02:44 AM |
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half shafts not the same as prop in terms of effect! plus you probably werent moveing very fast. Maybe this is an instance where someone should post a
nasty picture!
if the prop starts whipping around at speed its gotta do some damage. or maybe
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Graceland
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| posted on 25/1/04 at 09:37 AM |
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i aont got no pics of the damage it did to the 4be at that speed - but it was serious enough for the car to be off the road for 2 weeks while i sorted
out parts
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200mph
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| posted on 25/1/04 at 04:49 PM |
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erm, yeah. dont think I will take chances on this one.
I think a circle of some sort either end of the prop. If it fails it should just spin around in the circle.
Will ask the guys at reco-prop or similar what they think
Mark
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Peteff
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| posted on 25/1/04 at 06:45 PM |
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How about a rubber prop shaft, just in case? I made my own prop and it's still working o.k. I only ever had a u.j. go on a propshaft, that was
on a transit pickup and it still drove well enough to get me home, just vibrated a lot.
yours, Pete.
yours, Pete
I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.
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200mph
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| posted on 25/1/04 at 07:09 PM |
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quote:
How about a rubber prop shaft, just in case?
very funny
Well me engine will be run up to around 8500rpm, so reckon on a self-made prop shaking the car to bits by then.
Mark
[Edited on 25/1/04 by 9904169]
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Simon
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| posted on 25/1/04 at 11:42 PM |
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Stu/Bob,
When I was about 15, I went on a school trip, by coach.
Driver told us he'd had a prop snap at the front, and lift the rear of coach clean off the ground
I thought he was bull*******, till I read above.
Bob, how's the build coming on?
ATB
Simon
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craig1410
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| posted on 25/1/04 at 11:49 PM |
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Mark,
Get a quote from Autoprop UK
as they seem to build propshafts for just about any combination of engine and diff. They quoted me £96 for a brand new shaft to link a Rover V8 and
Sierra diff. This is not a "cut 'n' shut", it is completely new and is rated at 400BHP+ (It even has a sliding splined centre
section with a rubber gaitor to take up minor length changes of up to 3/4"
With all due respect to those who have built their own props, I intend to play it safe and buy one from Autoprop. I also have a 1.6mm steel floor
under the prop which should support either end if were to fail and hopefully prevent it from hitting the ground and vaulting the car... I think
I'll also weld in a couple of diagonals once I know where my seatbelt mounts are going.
Cheers,
Craig.
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200mph
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| posted on 26/1/04 at 12:00 AM |
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cheers craig, sounds like the best plan
Mark
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Simon
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| posted on 26/1/04 at 10:31 AM |
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Craig,
That's fantstastic!!
Just what I will be looking for!
Might order one tomorrow. Then I can plumb in clutch and drive it
With no brakes
ATB
Simon
ATB
Simon
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stephen_gusterson
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| posted on 26/1/04 at 10:42 AM |
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my type 9 to sierra axle prop cost me 120 quid from auto prop or reco prop (dont remember) about 2 years ago. nice shiny and new and custom for the
car -went right on no probs
atb
steve
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craig1410
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| posted on 26/1/04 at 01:13 PM |
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Simon,
It was £96 plus vat and I think it was £12 for delivery so that will come to about £127 all in but they can deliver in 2-3 working days from order.
The guy I spoke to (Mike Barrett IIRC) was very knowledgeable and helpful. Give him a call and see if you can negotiate a volume discount for the LB
forum
To order you need to tell him the gearbox and diff type at each end and the ideal length. The splined shaft is only to remove any strain from the
UJ's as the engine and diff move on their rubber mounts so don't take this as an excuse not to measure accurately! (I'm sure you
wouldn't anyway.) Also, if you have used the Rover SD1 gearbox mount then fit the big centre bolt and bush as this is designed to prevent
fore/aft movement of the engine and box. If you've not used the SD1 mount then consider fitting a tie rod to stop engine movement and fit this
before measuring the desired propshaft length.
Cheers,
Craig.
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Simon
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| posted on 30/1/04 at 12:28 PM |
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Craig
Propshaft ordered.
Spoke to Mike Barratt, as you say helpful.
Ready next week, so hopefully I'll collect week on Sat.
ATB
Simon
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DavidM
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| posted on 2/2/04 at 12:42 AM |
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Got mine from Autoprop. £110 inc. p&p I think. Arrived the following week. Lovely job.
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craig1410
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| posted on 2/2/04 at 08:42 AM |
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Yes that's the guy I spoke to and he was more than helpful. He had the telephone manner of a small company (ie not trying to rush you off the
phone) but they are obviously a professional outfit and quite large.
Let us know what it's like when you get it.
Cheers,
Craig.
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Simon
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| posted on 2/2/04 at 11:53 AM |
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Craig,
Will do.
He's only half an hour away from me - so I'll try and collect next Sat - though may pop in on way back from Buckinghamshire (on the bike -
should be interesting). Can then let you all know about their set up!
Anyone care to suggest what it might weigh - in case it's has to go in my rucksack
ATB
Simon
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