The worst chassis ever?

The worst chassis ever?

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Discussion

arhTVR

Original Poster:

226 posts

124 months

Wednesday 17th December 2014
quotequote all
Hi all
I've dipped in here occasionally on previous occasions, and thought it time to share my experiences, and get lots of advice :-) , as I sort out my S3.
I picked it up very cheap after it had been 'resting' outside for 8 years. In a terrible state really - rotten chassis, interior shot because the hood was split, blistered paintwork, boot full of water (5 buckets full, actually). And so it goes on.
I'm looking at this as a fun project (honestly!) so not expecting everything to be entirely original as I was with my last project (TVR Taimar, TVR Sprint, last May). Hence the Granada Scorpio sitting in my garden at the moment.
I'll post a link to lots of pics in the very near future.

Long story short, I have everything apart now and just picked the chassis up from the blasters. I knew the outriggers were useless, and some of the box section at the front of the main backbone, and whilst some other holes appeared as well it looks repairable to me. (You may know better!?)

One question to start off with: I looked through the 'open wide bonnet' thread which looks like a great idea (well done to the designers) and found some really good pictures, but no drawings or dims. I'm assuming this would be a good time for me to make appropriate mods to the mounting points on the chassis, so those would be useful if they are available.

arhTVR

Original Poster:

226 posts

124 months

Wednesday 17th December 2014
quotequote all
Here are a few more pics ...





magpies

5,129 posts

181 months

Wednesday 17th December 2014
quotequote all
I've done this mod recently and have a few photos, but it was 'back of envelope' engineering and no dimensioned drawings. I can remember most though (even at my age) and will try to sketch something. It is a very easy mod to do (I did most with the bonnet and original hinge (?) system in place.

Griffinr

1,017 posts

173 months

Wednesday 17th December 2014
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Seen worse on here, new outriggers will sort most of it. You could always buy an exchange chassis from someone like David Gerald TVR for £1500 or thereabouts.
Rob.

Alan461

853 posts

130 months

Wednesday 17th December 2014
quotequote all
The new hinge centres for mine were 175mm forward of the old centres and about 20mm lower.
This was fabricated in steel box section welded to the chassis having removed the old hinge boxes.
I used the old hinges mounted vertically to pick up the new pivot.
The same plywood bonnet stays connect with the hinge plates but on the inside.
Vertical bonnet adjustment is with the threads on the hinge.
Horizontal adjustment came from where the square mounting plates meet the bonnet.
900 x 150 of the fibreglass underside of the bonnet had to be removed to clear the new extended chassis.
I'l put some photos on but they're not great because the radiator obstructs.
HTH

phillpot

17,105 posts

182 months

Wednesday 17th December 2014
quotequote all
magpies said:
I've done this mod recently and have a few photos, but it was 'back of envelope' engineering
Same here wink


"designed" mine to pick up on standard chassis mountings, no cutting or welding involved.


You may well have already found this thread? this is the car which started it all I believe.

Edited by phillpot on Wednesday 17th December 15:40

arhTVR

Original Poster:

226 posts

124 months

Wednesday 17th December 2014
quotequote all
Many thanks for the hinge info. I should be able to get started with the pics and Alan's dims, then a little bit of mocking up, suck it and see! I'll search further and look at Phillpot's arrangement on existing mounts, but since I have the option to modify easily at the moment, it must be the right time to do it.
The bonnet will need some modding anyway to clear the 24v I think, so easy to do some work on the underside as well.
Good to know there have been worse chassis around - This one is much more corroded than my Taimar was, but at least it seems straight!
Cheers.
Tony

arhTVR

Original Poster:

226 posts

124 months

Wednesday 17th December 2014
quotequote all
Ah! Crossed posts! Thanks Phillpot - that thread really clears it up.
Some more pics here, if anybody is interested:
https://www.icloud.com/photostream/#A5GWZuqDJPkA8I

Tony

Griffinr

1,017 posts

173 months

Wednesday 17th December 2014
quotequote all
arhTVR said:
Ah! Crossed posts! Thanks Phillpot - that thread really clears it up.
Some more pics here, if anybody is interested:
https://www.icloud.com/photostream/#A5GWZuqDJPkA8I

Tony
Generally in quite a state from the photo's, could easily have been a breaker. Full marks (in advance) for saving it.
Rob.

DamianS3

1,803 posts

181 months

Wednesday 17th December 2014
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Another 24v we will need our own owners section soon.

Not sure if you are keeping the t9 or not? But if you fancy a t5 gearbox I happen to have a suitable mustang bell housing that will mate a t5 to the 24v.

Good luck.. my chassis was that bad but Dulfords as was have the s jigs if required. The exchange chassis is prob a good option.

Damian S3


shaun s3c

316 posts

153 months

Wednesday 17th December 2014
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Folded down edges on gussets for extra strength

arhTVR

Original Poster:

226 posts

124 months

Wednesday 17th December 2014
quotequote all
Hi Damian
Thanks for the offer. I may take you up on that if I decide on a T5. I do have a 2wd MT75 box which I could use, but I need to check out its condition first. I anticipate some work needed on it, so depending on what is needed I may go for a plan B!!
Different prop shaft fitting needed with this option, also, of course.

I'm tempted by the DG exchange, though I want some mods at the same time. If I decide not to do the work myself (and I might, this time!) Richard at RT Racing (I'm near sheffield) has the jigs. I'm thinking about the bonnet hinges, obviously, fitting plates for a roll cage, and possibly strengthening the chassis in places whilst I'm at it.

Any other suggestions, comments or pitfalls all gratefully received 👍

arhTVR

Original Poster:

226 posts

124 months

Wednesday 17th December 2014
quotequote all
Hi Shaun
Great idea! And thanks for the pic.
Incidentally, I may need some new and improved drop links later wink

shaun s3c

316 posts

153 months

Wednesday 17th December 2014
quotequote all
Folded down edges on gussets for extra strength

shaun s3c

316 posts

153 months

Wednesday 17th December 2014
quotequote all
Folded down edges on gussets for extra strength

magpies

5,129 posts

181 months

Wednesday 17th December 2014
quotequote all

The angle is odd on this as the square section from under the rad to the bonnet is horizontal






I shall do a sketch with dimensions on tomorrow.



magpies

5,129 posts

181 months

Wednesday 17th December 2014
quotequote all
OOOh and by the way mine has a Scorpio Cossy 24v in connected to an MT75 box


magpies

5,129 posts

181 months

Wednesday 17th December 2014
quotequote all
needed a bigger bulge to clear the plenum

arhTVR

Original Poster:

226 posts

124 months

Thursday 18th December 2014
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Superb pics! Thanks again!
Cossie engine is looking great sitting in the chassis and the bigger bulge not as large as I thought it might be. Did the engine clear the bulkhead OK?
Once the chassis is sorted I will test fit all the parts before making it look pretty again, so probably lots of questions still to come!
Tony

Kitchski

6,514 posts

230 months

Thursday 18th December 2014
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That chassis' not great, but it's no where near the worst we've had in laugh