Van Diemen Single Seater - Sprint time!
Discussion
In the run up to the new season I felt that I needed to make some bodywork modifications.
The body needs a little tidying up but crucially the current method of fastening (hex bolts) takes far too long and last seasons introductory race showed that scrutineering was ending with little time to get all the panels back on the car again.
I've previously asked the question about fasteners and the recommendation was Dzus quarter turn fasteners but I've decided to use Speciality Fasteners push turn ( Model 3321) fasteners instead. I appreciate that asking for advice, getting a recommendation and then buying something different is a bit daft but the installation of the push turn fasteners seems easier and I don't have to mess with the springs or be concerned about them coming loose. Besides, if they prove to not be good enough then I can just replace them with Dzus fasteners.
I'm currently 'sans-garage' so all this will either be done outside or in a small workshop. Firstly I removed the front panels and side pods from the car.
Side Pod:
Front Panel:
These two currently join together using captive nuts and hex bolts so I got it all fastened up and took measurements.
Firstly, I could make life easier by just using shorter bolts but it's still a faff!
I've taken measurements all round and it's a pretty consistent panel thickness of 3.5mm for each panel but 10.5mm when joined together. So there must be 3mm gap in there somewhere.
Based on my measurements then I have a 'grip length' of 10.5mm and will need to order parts 3321-1010. I will also order a few shorter ones as well just in case when I come to fit them they're too long.
I welcome any comments or suggestions about what I'm doing. I'm no expert, just working it out as I go along!
Drilled a bigger hole...
Fitted a fastener
They require a retaining washer to hold them in place. There is a tool but a deep socket or pliers will do for the few that I'm doing.
The receptacle gets riveted in place but rivets I have are incorrect so I need to order some different countersunk rivets
I think the end result is excellent, I'm very pleased with them
Goes together nice and neat
Final photos just to show the scale of the fasteners against the car. They're an excellent choice
The body needs a little tidying up but crucially the current method of fastening (hex bolts) takes far too long and last seasons introductory race showed that scrutineering was ending with little time to get all the panels back on the car again.
I've previously asked the question about fasteners and the recommendation was Dzus quarter turn fasteners but I've decided to use Speciality Fasteners push turn ( Model 3321) fasteners instead. I appreciate that asking for advice, getting a recommendation and then buying something different is a bit daft but the installation of the push turn fasteners seems easier and I don't have to mess with the springs or be concerned about them coming loose. Besides, if they prove to not be good enough then I can just replace them with Dzus fasteners.
I'm currently 'sans-garage' so all this will either be done outside or in a small workshop. Firstly I removed the front panels and side pods from the car.
Side Pod:
Front Panel:
These two currently join together using captive nuts and hex bolts so I got it all fastened up and took measurements.
Firstly, I could make life easier by just using shorter bolts but it's still a faff!
I've taken measurements all round and it's a pretty consistent panel thickness of 3.5mm for each panel but 10.5mm when joined together. So there must be 3mm gap in there somewhere.
Based on my measurements then I have a 'grip length' of 10.5mm and will need to order parts 3321-1010. I will also order a few shorter ones as well just in case when I come to fit them they're too long.
I welcome any comments or suggestions about what I'm doing. I'm no expert, just working it out as I go along!
Drilled a bigger hole...
Fitted a fastener
They require a retaining washer to hold them in place. There is a tool but a deep socket or pliers will do for the few that I'm doing.
The receptacle gets riveted in place but rivets I have are incorrect so I need to order some different countersunk rivets
I think the end result is excellent, I'm very pleased with them
Goes together nice and neat
Final photos just to show the scale of the fasteners against the car. They're an excellent choice
bertie said:
Just stumbled on this thread, glad I did!
What a fantastic idea having sports bodywork on a single seater, never seen that before, love it!
Can't wait to see how it get on, good luck and enjoy!
Fortunately it came like that from the factory so I can choose whether to go Sports Racer or Single Seater. I very much doubt I'll go back to the single seater though, it becomes uncompetive in the >1100cc single seater class whereas it should hold its own in Sports Libre. I need to develop the aero as there is nothing on the front end and just a single wing on the back. Needs a diffuser front and rear!What a fantastic idea having sports bodywork on a single seater, never seen that before, love it!
Can't wait to see how it get on, good luck and enjoy!
Kawasicki said:
That is just lovely.
Thank you 
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