Al N's new/old ride (SB 1341)

[Al N.]

People have been asking for pix of the build. Here's the first of what I hope are many to come in the next two months....

[powderbrake]

Al, I love the square wheels, they make one less bump per revolution than the triangular wheels.

[scannon]

Al,

 

What is the purpose of the orange machine? Is it a jig to prevent warping while the bracing is welded onto the differential housing? What are the square wheels for?

[slngsht]

The orange machine is a $60 harbor freight pipe bender being used as a stand.

 

The jig on top is to keep the axle true and prevent warping I believe.

 

Square wheels... easier to hold????

[escondidoron]

Is that a TR-10 housing or something a littler newer, like maybe a Spridget?

[WestTexasS2K]

Are the square wheels are to check to make sure to check for axle warping? You can use the panels to measure from side to side they should all be the same distance on all 4 sides. I of course am assuming all this. Is that correct?

[athens7]

Is that an EV-1 in the background? I thought GM had scrapped all of those after they ripped them from the clutches of their lessees all those many years ago! And the Ford logo...?

 

Are the wheels street or R Comps? Shaved? :jester:

 

Al, that's like looking at one cell and envisioning the complete human. I admire your patience.

Edited July 10, 2010 by athens7

[Off Road SHO]

It looks like he is using an I-beam as a welding table with the Chinese tubing bender frame and jack as a handy way to raise and lower it to a good working height. My guess on the aluminum plates is for alignment purposes during the welding process. If while welding on the supports the axle tube starts to warp, the plates will accentuate it so that it can be measured for the correct amount of droop or straightness.

 

Tom

[Proj217]

More info on EV-1! lol

[DeanG]

More info on EV-1! lol

 

What? Is the giant Ford sticker a disguise?

[Kitcat]

I think the EV-1 is actually the donor car and this will be the 1st all-electric se7en.

[Al N.]

@All: The pic is from Chris Beebe (Peter Egan's mechanic) who is known for, among other things, his particular method of bracing the Triumph T-10 Axle. I think Mazda's analysis of the jig and stand are accurate. I have no idea what the square wheels are for, I specified octagons! ;-)

 

One of the big delays in the reconstruction of SB1341 is that I elected to go back to the original Triumph axle/bolt pattern.

 

I was wrestling with doing a front disk conversion with the Ford set-up that the car has now, but one particular bracket turned out to be impossible to find. After some back and forth, I chose to revert back to the Triumph set-up, which has the added benefit of allowing use of "Wobbly Web" wheels (a whole other rabbit hole to chase down). The car will have drums all around.

 

I bought the axle unrestored (you have no idea how rare these thing are until you stick your nose down the vintage rabbit hole) from Chris T of Sevens and Elans. Chris Beebe was tied up with an entry in the Automotive X-Prize for a few months (I guess that's a modded EV-1) which delayed the completion of the axle. Happy to report that will be out of powder coating next week.

 

I am seriously considering driving the car back from Colorado in late aug/early sept. Will make for an adventure for sure!

[11Budlite]

Al - I like your choice of axle reinforcement. I always felt that Chris Beebe's method was the most professional looking of all that I've seen so far. And although I'm not a big fan of 4-wheel drum brakes (too many damn shoes to adjust!) if you can use Wobbly Web wheels then I'm all for it!

 

And if you do decide to drive it back from Colorado that will truly be an adventure!!

[Kitcat]

Drive from Colorado? Remember Al, this car will have none of the "almost Germanic" qualities you observed in the highly evolved Mr. Orange. As I have discovered, primitive and simple do not translate into reliable:).

 

Mike

[scannon]

Al,

 

Consider picking up the car to coincide with the LOCO folks that are driving their cars to LOG30. You could caravan with some true Lotus fanatics and the source of info and help should something go wrong would be invaluable. The club prez is driving his Lotus 7 S3 to the event.

 

You are welcome to stay over at my home whenever you decide to pick up the car.

[DeanG]

Al,

 

Consider picking up the car to coincide with the LOCO folks that are driving their cars to LOG30. You could caravan with some true Lotus fanatics and the source of info and help should something go wrong would be invaluable. The club prez is driving his Lotus 7 S3 to the event.

 

You are welcome to stay over at my home whenever you decide to pick up the car.

 

That's the spirit that makes the extended Lotus community so wonderful.

[Al N.]

@Skip: That's an interesting thought. Instead of taking two half weeks (for pickup and LOG), I could just take one week...I guess I should reach out to Ross R.

[scannon]

@Skip: That's an interesting thought. Instead of taking two half weeks (for pickup and LOG), I could just take one week...I guess I should reach out to Ross R.

I think Ross and company are planning on a week or more to get to LOG30 but check with him and see. I'll PM his email and phone number.

[Al N.]

The project moves forward at a rate inversely proportional to an actual Se7en. But at least it continues to move...

[scannon]

Now there's something you don't see every day, a diff in a coffin instead of a stiff in a coffin.

 

Does this mean Ben will have your car done in time for LOG30?