My Type 54 to sort of 47 Conversion

[RoddyMac]

Some minor progress this weekend, I managed to find enough time to fabricate the upper and lower front wishbones, front "body mount" plates, plus make up the steering rack mounts.  At the moment the rack mounts are only tacked in place, I was going to set the rack height for bump steer etc, but I'm missing the nuts that hold the upper ball joint to the upright.  So every time I tried to move either corner vertically, the upper BJ would pop out.  In the end, I tacked the mounts at the stock height, or at least at the height provided in the drawings available on line.  I had hoped to take the chassis over to where the body is stored to see if it all fits, though I'm sure it will (fingers crossed).

[BDA]

Looks great! 

I didn't think about it till now, but I was wondering if you're going to tie the end of the tranny into the frame. I assume you're going to pick up the bell housing with the hoop at the end of your frame. Are you planning on other attachments?

[RoddyMac]

I've been debating on what to do about the tranny mount.  I am going to pick up two bell housing bolts and mount them to the rear hoop.  But, I'm half thinking about making a frame that also attaches to the hoop and would pick up the rear of the tranny, plus support the rear of the body and double up as a jacking point.  I don't think the bell housing bolts will be able to take the load of supporting the gearbox and part of the weight of the engine.  The FT200 in the 47 appears to use 1/2" bolts, where as the bell housing bolts are only 3/8". 

[BDA]

I don't remember (if I ever knew) how the 47 mounted the tanny to the frame but quite often, the bell housing would have two bosses that take the bolts you mention. Maybe you can make a similar modification to your bell housing. Or you might make a sort of "girdle" that picks up the four (I think) mounting bolts between the block and bell housing. Of course, picking up the back of the tranny would mean you wouldn't have to pick up the front of the tranny. Jensen's D Production Europa only used the standard mount points.

[RoddyMac]

Here are two shots of a 47 replica that a friend took at a show in the UK: 



The FT200 has ears off the side plates that mount it, and appear to be quite beefy.

And here's a very rough sketch of what I'm now leaning towards:



Once I get the motor and gearbox as a unit in the chassis (I still have to carve off the alternator mount), I can measure everything and create a drawing to see if it will work.

[RoddyMac]

Its been too long since my last update, so here's what I've been up to....



I had some plate laser cut for the rear uprights.



Made up a jig to locate everything and tack welded the assemblies.  I've going to hopefully have them fully welded this week by a friend with a better welder than I have.

[BDA]

Very nice!!! Please post more often! You have a really great project going on!

[EuropaTC]

That's very impressive, engineering at it's best. I struggle making simple brackets so watching progress like this is inspiring. Keep 'em coming....

Brian

[Lotusjps]

... Or you might make a sort of "girdle" that picks up the four (I think) mounting bolts between the block and bell housing...

Essentially that's what I did to mount my NG3.

[BDA]

Very nicely done!! 

[RoddyMac]

That looks very interesting, I may have to somewhat copy that mount.   

[Lotusjps]

Here's my drawings if you want.

[RoddyMac]

Thanks!  That saves a ton of time.

Rod

[Lotusjps]

Just realized the drawing doesn't show that I used DOM tubing in between the larger holes and then pressed poly bushings into them to suspend it from.  I had the pieces laser cut then powder coated after welding all together.

[Mecky]

Wow, I love the self-made hub carriers