Refitted body today

boxhead · #1 (**permalink**) 10-31-2004, 04:02 AM

Well as the title says I have refitted the body today (first time since march) and what a difference it makes opening the bonnet and finding an engine in there

After we fitted the body there happened to be a couple of crownies in the fridge, so we celebrated.

I will have to remember next time the body is to come off or be refitted that it would be easier if the front wheels are removed.

Another question to the Classic builders is, do your rear springs feel soft?

I know I am a fat bastard but when I stand on the front chin bar the suspension doesnt move but when i stand on the rear bar (behind fuel tank) then the car sits down approx 2 inches.
I know that with the motor in the front then there is alot more weight and therefore compressing the spring further, but with engine in and no weight on the back then the chassis sits dead flat (front and rear coils are wound as low as they will go)

I have 500lb springs rear and 450lb springs front (atleast that is what the markings say)

pneall · #2 (**permalink**) 10-31-2004, 10:53 PM

Boxhead.

Check body alignment with chassis ignoring predrilled attachment holes.

Mine is out by 10mm. You only notice this when you drill holes for quick jacks or when wheels on and aligned and you sight down the body.

Not a huge issue but bloody annoying.

Yes my rear springs did feel squishy compared to front, just wind up shock adjustment for now. Are you using the dual spring set up?? The jury is still out for me on this. A single spring may be the way to go.

Phil

boxhead · #3 (**permalink**) 11-01-2004, 08:34 PM

I have got dual springs fitted to my car, the smaller springs are only 125lb so it is easier to wind them up or down when wheels are off the ground.
When the car is on the ground the smaller springs are fully compressed.

I will measure my guard lip to rim edges and check for alignment.

cobbindale · #4 (**permalink**) 11-02-2004, 06:30 AM

Hi Boxhead,

Mine is the other way around, I can't get it lower enough.
Still need to add a lot of gear so hope it drops further.
The specs I was given are:
Front primary is 8" x 450 lb/in secondary 3" x 425lb/in
Rear primary is 8"x 525lb/in secondary 3"x 425lb/in
Hope you dont mind me butting in.

Cheers,
Dale.

Aussie Mike · #5 (**permalink**) 11-02-2004, 06:43 AM

I could jump up and down on my back bumper and get quite a bit of movement out of the rear suspension. I'll see how it goes on the road like this befor changing it. At least it might give a comfortable ride because there's not much give in the sidewall of the 17" tyres.

Also remember by moving the lower shock mounts inwards to clear the 11" rims you have increased the leverage the lower arm has on the spring. These small coilover springs are pretty cheap to get made anyway.

I'm running a single rate spring set up with a fairly soft tracking spring that you can squash flat with your hand. The tracking spring just keeps the main spring on it's seat at full extension.
This is the setup that Ian used before the dual rate spring setup. Don't know how it'll work I'll have to wait and see.

I agree with Phil on the body positioning. You might have to touch up the holes in the body to get the alignment on the chassis sopt on.

Cheers

boxhead · #6 (**permalink**) 11-03-2004, 01:40 AM

Welcome along cobbindale.
By all means jump in at any time, the more ideas I hear about the more options I have.

I am not worried about the spring thing yet as I will wait until all is done and then see how I go with ride and comfort and tune it from there.

Yeah Mike as you say I have moved my springs/shockies inboard a fair way so I may need heavier springs.

BMK · #7 (**permalink**) 11-03-2004, 06:38 AM

All this jumping up and down on the Cobras. I hope you guys don't put your head through the shed/garage roof..

The springs seem right at the rates given. Tank in fuel in will see settling..

Bernie

BMK · #8 (**permalink**) 11-03-2004, 06:44 AM

Welcome to the "Forum" cobbindale.

The more here the better on the 'Forum'...

You will see that there are a few guys here with Classic Revival cars on the go. Additionally, Phil in N.S.W has his on the road.

Now Geelong....

If my count is right that makes about 19 Cobras in Geelong...

I'm often in Geelong amd may catch up. I'm in Laurel Bank Pde. Newtown. Have a place there where my son is at the moment.

Keep in touch on the "Forum"

Bernie

Leeroy · #9 (**permalink**) 11-03-2004, 03:16 PM

Welcome to the forum Dale good to see another CR builder. Dave I have Ians standard dual spring setup and it also is hard in the front & 2-3" movement in the rear. Cos I have put an under body exhaust (a sh*^%t designed one) which is quite low thru the rear I have had to wind the rear spring in to get my 100mm clearance underneath for reg. etc. Mine drove and handled great before I raised the rear so I will go back to that setup after reg.
Leeroy

cobbindale · #10 (**permalink**) 11-07-2004, 08:42 PM

Hi all,

Thanks for the welcome, I have been reading the forum for a while and find it quite informative and humorous.

Feel free to drop in anytime Bernie, we are in Grovedale and any input is more than welcome.

Any hints from the darksiders would be helpful as well which leads me to a question. I'm running a dunnydoor sump which leaves 40 to 50 mm hanging below the main rails. I've packed the mounts as much as possible and was wondering if this is normal.

Hope you can help.
Cheers,
Dale.

pneall · #11 (**permalink**) 11-07-2004, 08:55 PM

Dale,

I have same problem with my Gen 111 as Iam running High Energy sump. I fitted 5mm Aluminium skid plate from front crossmember to cross rail near gearbox to give protection.

I am running 25 mm packers under engine mounts which gives about 10 mm clearance to std balancer. Now running unerdriven unit so have heaps of clearance here now.

You would probably need a skid plate any how as the local Gen 111 has oil filter at the front and its the lowest point on std engine. Imported LS1 have oil filter to rear.

Skid plate also protects steering rack which may need to be lowered to fix bump steer.

Phil

pneall · #12 (**permalink**) 11-07-2004, 08:57 PM

Dale,

You could always run dry sump. Harrop do one and others are imported.

Bet they are expensive though.

Phil

Bryan Wilson · #13 (**permalink**) 11-08-2004, 01:15 AM

Hi Dale,
Welcome to the forum.
I also reside in Grovedale, we should get together some time and check out each others cars.
Cheers,
Bryan

cobbindale · #14 (**permalink**) 11-08-2004, 04:33 AM

Phil,

Interesting to hear about the lowering of the rack. I have already lowered the brackets, so the knuckles and boots cleared the main rails. I only lowered it about 12 mm, hope its enough.

Bryan,

Will certainly catch up with you. I don't have much to show at the moment but would love have a look at your car. I will shoot a email to you in a little while if thats ok.

Cheers,
Dale.

BMK · #15 (**permalink**) 11-09-2004, 02:31 AM

Dale and Bryan.

If possible keep me in the loop. May have the Cobra over in Geelong in the next week or so.

During the weekend of the 17 - 21st of November,I'll be at
Laurel Bank Pde. painting so may catch up.

PM or email me with some phone numbers..

Bernie

www.kni-time@bigpond.net.au