I've shortened my zetec sump (Post '98 blacktop) and am now in the process of modifying the pickup pipe to suit.

Can anyone advise as to how much clearance there should be between the bottom of the pickup and the bottom of the sump?

I can get approx 5mm of clearance without any problems....is this enough?

Thanks

Stephsn

I gave mine 10mm (rightly or wrongly) and checked it with a dollop of bluetack stuck to the sump when trial fitting.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mark Allanson
I gave mine 10mm (rightly or wrongly) and checked it with a dollop of bluetack stuck to the sump when trial fitting.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by stevebubs

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mark Allanson
I gave mine 10mm (rightly or wrongly) and checked it with a dollop of bluetack stuck to the sump when trial fitting.

---

Thanks. Have a look around after I asked and 1/4 to 1/2 inch sounds about right.

10mm sits right in the middle of that so ground everything down and managed to get 9mm...close enough

Had a quick go with the MIG welder and I've lost my touch!! even with the welder on MIN current & max wire speed, I still blew two *HUGE* holes in the top of the stainless pickup dish

Ho Hum...guess I'll have to crack on and fabricate a new one

---

I did mine in 3 120° passes, but with quite a lot of heat to make sure the begining of the weld had good penetration. I ground out the first 1/4" just to make sure an made the passes VERY quickly so the weld pool is proportionally behind the wire

I think I will braze my pickup pipe when it comes to the mods, just to be sure!

When I made my sandblaster I successfully migged all the air fittings on that and none leaked, which I was very pleased with, but the pickup pipe is thinner!

I plan to put an angled "slash cut" at the end of the pipe, and run it very close to the bottom of the sump (caterham one, only 40mm or so deep anyway!!) that way even if it does touch onto the bottom of the sump, it won't stop the flow.

What are you doing for a strainer on the bottom of the pipe?

If I have an RS2000 Alloy sump can the std pinto pickup be modified easily enough for it?

I didn't fancy welding mine, so I filed both parts to give a very good fit, put tiny tack welds in 3 places round the tube, checked it for size on the block and then silver-soldered the joint.

David

quote:

---

Originally posted by NS Dev
I think I will braze my pickup pipe when it comes to the mods, just to be sure!

When I made my sandblaster I successfully migged all the air fittings on that and none leaked, which I was very pleased with, but the pickup pipe is thinner!

I plan to put an angled "slash cut" at the end of the pipe, and run it very close to the bottom of the sump (caterham one, only 40mm or so deep anyway!!) that way even if it does touch onto the bottom of the sump, it won't stop the flow.

What are you doing for a strainer on the bottom of the pipe?

---

How would you attach it nicely to the pipe? I suppose a "polo mint" of steel sheet tacked to the pipe, with the sieve attached to it? How would you attach the sieve piece, I would be worried that tack welds to steel mesh that fine would crack off in no time????? not sure, just wondering

Was planning on making a small pickup box similar to the original one and just putting the mesh inside.

If you've just got a bare pipe / pickup then the best solution is probably just put the mesh where you want it, tack it in place (mig or gas) and then braze / silver solder where ever it needs to be secured.

In the end, I bought a new pickup this morning and did the job properly - £20 well spent. Actually managed to mig it together, but using some-one else's welder. Mine just wouldn't go low enough.

PS I have a spare CHV pickup pipe lying around if anyone needs it for butchering etc.

BTw, polo mint of steel would work just as well - just tack it all together how you want it and then braze it all.