Rotus Seven #14 Restoration Update

[solder_guy]

Interesting thought .. I compared the two pinions .. One has straight cogs and the other is a worm gear. Same rack.

 

Rob

 

[Robert O. Urfer]

 

Interesting thought .. I compared the two pinions .. One has straight cogs and the other is a worm gear. Same rack.

 

Rob

 

This may put some truth behind what I was told.

[solder_guy]

Another comparison .. The one with straight cog pinion turns faster than the worm gear pinion. Same rack. I may just live with the old rack as is.

 

Rob

 

[solder_guy]

Here is a pic of the car as of July 25. I have reassembled the front suspension .. and now time to put the rack and pinion back in place.

 

Rob

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/179641146_july.jpg

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/2061783813_topgear.jpg

[solder_guy]

Here are three toyota rack and pinion setups ..

 

Top one is standard Tercel from '80-'82 car.

 

Middle one is from a Starlet '81. (Interferes with the rocker suspension)

 

Lower one is the shortened Tercel unit from the Rotus (makes a clicking sound when turned)

 

Middle and lower ones: Rack is the same length.

 

Rob

 

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1395197335_three racks.jpg

[SkinnyG]

What are the spindles from, do you know?

 

Thanks!

 

G

[solder_guy]

What are the spindles from, do you know?

 

Toyota Corona (not Mark II) 1970-1973.

 

Rob

 

[Birkin42]

Can you use the parts from the top (Trecel) rack to rebuild the Rotus rack?

The middle rack is not useable unless you want to make your car right hand drive or reversed steering.

Have you taken apart your rack to see what is worn or making the clicking sound?

[solder_guy]

Can you use the parts from the top (Trecel) rack to rebuild the Rotus rack?

The middle rack is not useable unless you want to make your car right hand drive or reversed steering.

Have you taken apart your rack to see what is worn or making the clicking sound?

 

Q: I tried that .. no go. All three racks have different components.

 

Statement: the middle rack .. although a mirror image on the outside still has LH drive innerds.

 

Q: Yes .. It's just a slightly worn pinion cog interacting with the rack that is making the clicking sound.

 

I'm going to pullapart junkyard tomorrow and see if an MGB rack will work with my car ..

 

Rob

 

[11Budlite]

"I'm going to pullapart junkyard tomorrow and see if an MGB rack will work with my car .." - Not sure if you know Rob, but the MGB pinion is about 18"-24" long as shown here:

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1320894471_453-619_1.jpg

 

Bruce :7drive:

[MHKflyer52]

"I'm going to pullapart junkyard tomorrow and see if an MGB rack will work with my car .." - Not sure if you know Rob, but the MGB pinion is about 18"-24" long as shown here:

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1320894471_453-619_1.jpg

 

Bruce :7drive:

 

Rob,

I have what would be a book build 7 and used an MGB rack and it fits very well.

Here is a photo of the rack in the frame just after I painted the chassis.

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1372031120_DSCN1264.JPG

[eVox]

Looking great Rob!

[SkinnyG]

I used an MG Midget rack in my book build, with 7-1/2" removed. Mazda B2000 (and B2200?) pickup steering universals work sweet. They also fit (s-l-o-w) Chevette racks, too.

[solder_guy]

I used an MG Midget rack in my book build, with 7-1/2" removed. Mazda B2000 (and B2200?) pickup steering universals work sweet. They also fit (s-l-o-w) Chevette racks, too.

 

I was reading about how the StalkerV6 uses the Chevette racks ...

 

Yesterday I was looking at the rack in a TR7 in the junkyard .. just to compare how fast it is and the final turning radius (angle).

 

I went ahead and mounted the original modified Rotus / Tercel rack .. in my car .. I can live with its limitations / defects right now.

 

Rob

 

[solder_guy]

Today I added a switch to the hand brake .. I will wire it so that it will continue to activate the Back Off flash circuit connected to the LED CHMBL on the roll bar .. when I am stopped at a light. (Gotta keep those Soccer Moms and others talking on cell phones alert! :ack: )

 

Also rigged up a mechanical brake switch .. to replace the hydrolic activated brake switch (which was just too slow to react).

 

Front end is finished (with the exception of alignment).

 

Today I will strap down the new aluminum fuel tank (13 gallon capacity !?) and wire up the new VDO level sender .. Then install the tank cover and bolt in the seat belts brackets.

 

My friend is fabricating a left foot rest to be insalled in the foot well

 

Rob

 

[11Budlite]

"Also rigged up a mechanical brake switch .. to replace the hydrolic activated brake switch (which was just too slow to react)." - Agreed Rob. I changed mine over to a mechanical switch and it's been much more reliable as well.

 

Bruce :7drive:

[slngsht]

"Also rigged up a mechanical brake switch .. to replace the hydrolic activated brake switch (which was just too slow to react)." - Agreed Rob. I changed mine over to a mechanical switch and it's been much more reliable as well.

 

Bruce :7drive:

 

Same here... the hydraulic brake switch has joined "the pile"

[solder_guy]

Same here... the hydraulic brake switch has joined "the pile"

 

Just realized that I cannot spell hydraulic .. :jester: I guess I always think about hydro ..

 

Here's a pic of the two tanks .. New Aluminum and old rusty steel beside it. There is a new VDO level sender in the center. Aslo there is a future fuel return in the near end. You can see one of the two drain fittings in the bottom.

 

Rob

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/673409719_fuel tanks.JPG

[slngsht]

nice job on the tank!

 

in the new configuration, the vertical part of the tank is where my butt is

[solder_guy]

nice job on the tank! In the new configuration, the vertical part of the tank is where my butt is

 

Thanks! I will have two gas caps: one for when the car is parked; and another with small holes to prevent a vacuum when the pump is drawing from it. Low tech but it will work.

 

Rob