UK Lakester build G/GL

[Lemming Motors]

Rex

All the (tyre) cruelty to dumb animals has distratced me. Wayno gets credit even if it wasnt intentional because it was quite well done - I have been trying to get my co. to relo me to our Irvine Ca. office for a while but they can't find a use for me - sure hope the Marlow UK folks don't figure that out - I don't think Tracey will keep me as a pet.

Thank you for the offer of the heat exchnager - I will make that Plan B if you don't mind - I haven't given up on getting a rad and a seperate co. doing the tank though the guy who did my fuel tanks a few years back said thanks but no - too busy doing amazing ally work for classic cars (they with the deep wallets presumably).

John

[ronnieroadster]

Ronnie, that's a splendid idea.  Did you need my address so you can send me the tickets?  :lol:
Wayno

  Oh boy there goes my pre entry money!   

[Elmo Rodge]

My D2904s just arrived.   
Wayno

[Lemming Motors]

Since you insist on teasing the colonials I will accept your offer of a beer as an apology (its in your message, two steins clinking) - I will be at the Red Nuggett SW2019 hanging out with Geoff and his crew with the 7707 Roadster.

I prefer a UK style ale - none of that US (and NZ I note with horror) interpretation of an IPA with strong hoppy fruity tones - something smooth, easy to drink in quantity best served at cellar temperature because it was invented before refrigeration so is a true classic.

[ggl205]

And here I thought warm UK beer was because of...wait for it...Lucas refrigeration. I know, it is an old hack but never gets old, at least not for an old guy like me.

John

[Elmo Rodge]

Would a "P-38 Porter" do? 
Wayno

[Lemming Motors]

Porter is usually a bit heavy but the reference to the Lightning and therefore drop tanks and by very tenuous extension Lakesters then YES.

[Lemming Motors]

Right, oops.

XF/GL P-38 Drop Tank Lakester - should have looked in the 2018 program before making naive statements.

[Stainless1]

It's OK if you don't like porter, I will happily help you drink any of Wayno's P-38... it is quite tasty 

[Lemming Motors]

I have been creeping up on a solution for an H gate shifter in the Lakester. The engine and box came out of a front engine rear wheel drive car.

In the donor car the gear shift is directly on the tailshaft of the g'box. It is now yards behind me. Initially I removed the shift lever (pivoted on a ball joint) and replaced the lower end of that with something that engages the gearbox push / pull / rotate shift rod. I tried cables and bellcranks and got it working but at the cockpit end it took up too much room and I couldn't get in or out - bad planning.

I looked into sequential shift and yes Quaife make one and no my arms are not long enough to reach into the pockets that would be deep enough to fund same.

Version two is like a single seater using a Hewland box up the rear - push / pull a series of rods interconnected with UJ's and enable the entire mechanism to rotate through a few degrees to go 'across' thegate. As of Sunday this proof of concept mockup works albeit a bit clunky but it is a cold static gearbox. Assuming I have the directional travel correctly translating into 1st to 2nd (instead of 6th to 5th) etc. I am pleased with this progress.

There is some lost movement in these UJs so they wil probably be upgraded to RaceTech roller bearing versions (three times the price) and I thought my hack at the shifter end using a cardan shaft (square rod) was genius but it turns out only one inch of the outer is square bore so although it positivelly actins the cross gate motion its a bit floppy. A 3/4" DD steering shaft might work. The shift shaft runs diagonally inside the cockpit to a UJ behind the seat. The rod runs just under my ribs and does not make physical contact with me.

[Lemming Motors]

More pics of shifter setup

[Lemming Motors]

And one more - square shaft driled to accomodate small ball joint at the gear lever end.

I wil probably come back to this and do the entire thing again for a third time (or is it forth) to make it more positive and allow some movement in the bush it passes through at the firewall (engine movement) - some for of rod end style flanged bush.

[Sumner]

Looks like you are on your way  .  I do have some pics that I took of different cars and their solutions here...

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/bvilleother/page%209.html

Sumner

[ggl205]

John, it may not help but I use a stock Hewland Mk9 gearbox. Only recently have I added a 5-speed PBS sequential shift kit and plan to replace the open dif with a Torsen unit (left over from the old days). You live in the land of Hewland plenty so I think it should not be hard to find a good used box priced affordably.

John

[Lemming Motors]

Thanks Sumner
When I first started 'thinking' about the Lakester, and before any metal was harmed, I came across your site and spent many (many) lunchtimes in the office looking at all the pics and reading it cover to cover. In some cases that answered questions, in others it gave me the right questions to ask. I thank you for the effort you put in. Some of theose lunchtimes might have over run a bit 

John
That engine shot is car porn. To be honest I never thought about Hewland and now I am committed to the inline drivetrain with a diff.
If you need any Bits brought over I will be at SW 2019 and may in fact have a (work) opportunity to be in Ca. in June - 'parts trip', though that is not what will go on my expenses.