Certifier popped in today and informed me today, that not only do I need to supply suspension drawings (he told me that some months ago) but the suspension (all new, purpose built) now has to be crack tested (TiG welded). He has to be audited every two years as a certifier and asked if I would be prepared to loan my (unfinished) car, as there is not much point in him being audited just doing an adjustable ride height. I suspect that come Thursday, my 'to do' list may well have grown again and my wallet will be in for another bashing, but at least by the time I present it formally, I shouldn't have too many surprises.
Looking good mate, if you have the time we'd be keen on seeing more photo's.
sred69,
Jul 17, 9:18am
I thought the the steering rod end drop links were illegal and couldn't, be certified!
socram,
Jul 17, 10:29am
Dunno!No doubt I'll find out shortly.Initial design was worked on with the certifier, but the car was elsewhere towards the end of the build, as I had to change builders.
socram,
Jul 17, 10:29am
Dunno!No doubt I'll find out shortly.Initial design was worked on with the certifier, but the car was elsewhere towards the end of the build, as I had to change builders.
sr2 - use the location of the pic as a clue, though the website is being rebuilt!
socram,
Jul 18, 8:05am
Seems as though the steering column UJ to rack will need to be redone too.Even though these were made up by top class trades people, apparently welded stuff is no longer OK, so I have to have splines machined and blah, blah, blah - and that is before the inspection!
Oh, and the master cylinder is now leaking even though new when fitted, but lack of use.Grrrr!
the-lada-dude,
Jul 18, 8:19pm
in all honesty socram, i f that photo is the finished f / s, i personally wouldn't have a bar of it. the first thing that makes my eyes pop outa their sockets is the steering system. i can see why you have used that link, between the r & pend and the steering arm. but bloody hell the possible bending moments and shear on that drop bolt could be horrendous. cant you lift the r & p to alleviate the bump steer and do away with that ' jesus ' link ! !
trogedon,
Jul 18, 9:03pm
Looks good but what a nightmare re certification. I've only had to cert. one vehicle of mine (modified by the builder and sold to me (I knew it needed a cert.) with wof and rego. The list was a page and a half long and my mechanic said a lot of it was a load of rubbish.
socram,
Jul 18, 9:27pm
The suspension isn't my design, nor the steering, if but the (3) people involved in designing and building it have screwed up, I am not going to be a very happy bunny.
I certainly can't lift the rack and it is situated using the original rack mount position.
socram,
Jul 18, 9:27pm
The suspension isn't my design, nor the steering, if but the (3) people involved in designing and building it have screwed up, I am not going to be a very happy bunny.
I certainly can't lift the rack and it is situated using the original rack mount locatiion.No doubt by this afternoon I'll know the bad news, even though this isn't the final presentation.The problem is of course that the build has taken several years to get to this stage and in that time,many rules have been changed - no doubt because some spotty individual somewhere once produced a bit of faulty workmanship that led to a disaster, minor or major. Look at any modified Targa or saloon car that has been around for years and competed successfully and reliably and the chances are that they would fail the current test, but it has always been so.A model T Ford or a VW beetle probably wouldn't pass a modern car test either, yet millions of them were sold worldwide and the majority coped perfectly well.
It is called progress.
splinter67,
Jul 18, 9:35pm
Bummer had the same problem with a T bucket we brought in a million bits ended up keeping the motor and selling the rest
the-lada-dude,
Jul 18, 10:39pm
someone said it looked complicated,well NO, this is a tried and true susp sys that dates back to mmmm ! early early 1960's . it looks fully adjustable fof cas/cam , suffers a bit from un sprung weight short wishbones that may affect the dynamic roll centre, possible flex at the wishbone / chassis pick up points under hard braking and i dont think this system lends itself to manipulating the amount of anti dive under braking as a leading or trailing radius rods would allow.what do you think BILL ROBINSON !hey socram can you not m/c a steering arm that bolts to the hub carrier !
socram,
Jul 19, 1:16am
I'll let you know the full details shortly and the possible fixes, but you are 100% correct about the drop arms.They can only be the same length as the width of the nuts.Currently, it is still on the lift and I am somewhat despondent at the moment, (no, verty despondent.) as I really don't mind spending money once, but spending two or three times on the same components I find very hard to swallow.I wish now I had maintained the original front suspension as it was perfectly adequate in its day, but hand your car over to a reputable builder saying you just want the V8 installed, tow the race car with it, do an occasional club or marque event, but fit a cage for safety and then they just run away with their grandiose ideas (several of which didn't work anyway).
One possible suggestion now is to mill the Cortina Mk 4 lower arms flat and attach a better shaped steering arm - which will have to be manufactured of course.
I have invested far too much money now to be able to back out and scrap it, as deep down I know the overall concept (my initial concept) is a good one.When I get the full list, I'll just have to hand it over to my preferred specialist whilst I am overseas (yes, again) and bite the bullet when the bill arrives, as usual.
To think, I could have bought a roadworthy E type Jag coupe for less than I have forked out over the last 8 years.
bill-robinson,
Jul 19, 2:35am
the lada dude asked for my opinion of your suspension Socram. I would need to see the whole thing to be able to suggest any thing. Regarding certification I am having a similar problem with trying to keep up with a team changing the regs as fast as they can without really understanding how difficult it is.Good luck Bill
pauldw,
Jul 19, 3:08am
Years ago I remember a column by a motor racing journalist (Eoin Young!) who was paying to have a Rover V8 shoehorned into an Alfa. The engine mounts and exhaust system had been finished before it was discovered that there was no room for the steering.
the-lada-dude,
Jul 19, 3:33am
i wouldn't be despondent at all ray, it looks like a nice tidy job, and it will work really well, iv'e seen plenty of bolt on steering arms of all shapes and sizes. ask around some of the wreckers that have been in the game for a while, but maybe your happy with what you have at present ! i'll check with a fella i know.ha ha, as far as the e type goes, buying it would be the easy part. they're a figgin nightmare
socram,
Jul 19, 5:05am
Thanks for the support and encouragement! I don't stay down for more than about 5 minutes!
Booked in for Tuesday with Paul up at Silverdale.He'll keep in touch with the certifier whilst I am away.I haven't got the list yet though.
Already sold off my Dinky Toys.I wonder what will be next!Might have to be that reworked 1300cc Mini engine.
socram,
Jul 19, 6:35am
Thanks Bill. Guessing that the majority of these major projects probably take an average of three years, maybe changes should only be effective three years from the date they are first published!Bearing in mind that the certifiers are pretty competent in identifying problem areas anyway, some of these changes may well be subject to the laws of diminishing returns.
bill-robinson,
Jul 19, 7:00am
Jeezthree years, I wish. Hope it all turns out Bill
socram,
Jul 19, 7:10am
Bought mine May 24th 2004. All stripped and body dip stripped by Dec 2004, so from then on, a lot of work but with gaps when cash ran out (often) or a new found travel addiction.
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