UK Lakester build G/GL

[Lemming Motors]

This ones for Wayno - after 10 months (you read that correctly) some tires arrived from the US, BUT, the fronts are not as ordered so this saga is ongoing. 

One day I shall write a book on what can go wrong and the reasons (excuses) given by purchasing through a third party anticipating a combined shipment to offset the costs a little.

I think the term false economy applies here,

[Peter Jack]

No one will even notice once you get the aluminum coloured paint on it! 

What's the capacity? Remember, you don't necessarily need a lot of volume. Having to fill it after every run to ensure not running out is probably a good thing.

Pete

[Stainless1]

John, just use a glue that is not affected by race gas or alcohol     

[Lemming Motors]

Thanks Pete, Stainless - I will take that as an endorsement of the MDF strategy.

In terms of volume; its tapering towards the bottom so its an odd shape - I will do the math now its physical and I can take measurements of what actually fits but I figure I could also put a plastic bin liner in it and add water to validate. I am aiming for 2 - 3 US gallons (the small 4 litre ones, not our are manly 4.55 litre gallons).

If I have calculated and converted my air consumption (at 14:1) and accounted for the specific gravity of the fuel correctly I am estimating 3 litres per run so 2 US gallons makes sense? Its a 2 litre, naturally aspirated and assuming 8,500 rpm.

[Stainless1]

John, my  tank is about 3 gallons... the G motor uses about a gallon...

[Lemming Motors]

Thanks Stainless - thirsty wee blighter; I calculated 3/4 of a gallon (i.e. 3 litres) so in the right ball park.

[wobblywalrus]

It is good to have some extra to burn to run the engine and keep it warm while waiting in line to start.

[Lemming Motors]

I did some drawings and calculated just over 18 litres (4.5 US gallons).

I put a bin liner in from one open end and got to 15 litres (liner full and didn?t burst which was a relief) with room to spare so that was just shy of 4 gallons of water.

I may shave a few inches off the end where it tapers and call it quits at 4 gallons.

Thanks everyone, really appreciate the inputs.

[Speed Limit 1000]

Thanks Stainless - thirsty wee blighter; I calculated 3/4 of a gallon (i.e. 3 litres) so in the right ball park.

If you want all your horses to run you have to feed them. The 1.5 L motor went 246mph

[Stainless1]

Yea, we didn't feed that one enough..... it only ran 8 miles... managed to go a bit lean...  still got a record so how can you complain... 

[Lemming Motors]

Prop shaft shield. I would like to say curses  aktion086 to all who recommended a 100% containment shield - that was a lot of work in 1/4" especially since it isn't a straight run, getting those intersections right took some thought and a cunning plan using a 6" pvc pipe, quartered lengthwise to pattern it.

Having said all that I am pleased I went this route. 

Seams (with bolts) and mounting the lower half to the chassis to follow.

In one of the pics you can just see the fibreboard tank, now in silver  8-)

[Stainless1]

 I would suggest you replace a weld seam with several bolt tabs so that thing comes apart... Looks like it could be a bear when you wrestle it later

[Lemming Motors]

Gotcha.

The top 'half' will include the half tube and the pie shape all welded together.
The bottom 'half' will just be the half tube - attached to the chassis.

The two 'halves' will have a longitudinal strip welded to each along the length of the join line with four 3/8" bolts each side.

[wobblywalrus]

A mishap that requires 1/4 inch steel to contain might need more than eight 3/8 inch bolts.  Eight 1/2 or 5/8 inch ones is my uneducated guess.

[Lemming Motors]

In fairness the rules only require a 1/4" x 1" strap / sling part way back from the front of the shaft so all this containment is following the

• if some is good
• more must be better
• and too much is just right

school of engineering (and life).