Neil66 Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 Hi Folks - noob here - been lurking for a while now, trawling for info and what an amount of valuable info there is too, plus a great bit of banter from time to time thrown in ;-) I'm a Brit ex-pat living in Norway & last summer bought myself a '68 S3 - maybe you saw it in LF a few issues back... It has been chassis up restored in 95-96 and a lot upgraded at the time too. So, not 100% original but a nice machine anyway! I'm in the middle of some necessary upgrades / detailing for the coming season and have a small question for the gurus...: I have some wear in a trackrod inner ball joint - anyone got any advice on repair / replacement or upgrade of an older triumph steering rack? I've heard mixed reviews on the "new" racks available from the big 3 Triumph specialists and I have bad experience in years gone by of recon racks... Redline can't supply either new or a recon rack so I've been hunting for shims online but difficult to find these days.. Lee Chapman in the US has some but before I go this route I would like some opinion / experience on whether it's worth it or has anyone has upgraded to a later Caterham rack (Titan) and if so what's involved..? Cheers for any tips! Neil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 Welcome to BlatChat from the lurking wilderness Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheds Moderator Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 Drool...that looks fantastic. Does it currently have a quickrack, and do you want one? I'd say if you want to keep the ratio as is then an exchange rack or a DIY rebuild is the way forward. If it's just a joint that's worn and you can get one, it shouldn't be too hard. If you want a changed ratio then the choices are easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Soper Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 As a S2 owner of 30+ years I say just strip and rebuild it, if you have play in a ball joint then you will need to take shims out any how, you can buy sheet of shim from engineer suppliers and make new some if required, but you will probally find if you strip and rebuild both ends you can use your excisting shims Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil66 Posted February 2, 2012 Author Share Posted February 2, 2012 Thanks for the welcome and advice guys ;-) I'm not too interested in moving to a quick rack - I've read a lot of pro arguments on these here but despite this I'm quite happy with the ratio as is. The car is primarily a road car which may venture onto a track once in a blue moon, if a suitable occasion comes along. I'm also not up for buying a recon rack - I' ll do it myself, then a) I know it's done right & b) I will avoid all the import / export hassles to Norway ;-) Brian - I wondered bout this option - how would you advise cutting the shim stock - I don't have access to fancy presses so feel it would be a little agricultural to shear with tin-snips (!) Still interested to hear if anyone's upgraded to a later rack tho ;-) Cheers, Neil. Edited by - Neil66 on 2 Feb 2012 13:54:31 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheds Moderator Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 It's not at all agricultural to use tinsnips. That's what you do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil66 Posted February 2, 2012 Author Share Posted February 2, 2012 New lesson learnt, cheers ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elie boone Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 Neil66, A track rod end new for a Spitfire are about 12£ from Moss but also Cranley and other Spitfire specialists may be able to help. If it's not a modifyed Mini rack that is. BTW If you put some of those nice Twin can valve covers on the Zetec it would really go nice with the age of your S3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noet Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 Hi Neil. Welcome. Nice to have one more in the neigborhoud! I'm located just 30km from you. Bryne. Send a pm and we can take it from there. Egil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil66 Posted February 2, 2012 Author Share Posted February 2, 2012 Wow Egil - what a beast - we must meet..! On second thoughts probably not - I'll only get insanely jealous! Actually less than 30km - I'm in Sandnes ;-) (but few outside Norway will have a clue ;-) Edited by - Neil66 on 2 Feb 2012 15:58:01 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noet Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 Neil,- sure we need to meet. You are invited to my garage. I migth help you out in some aspects. Did a ground up restoration on a Lotus SS -69 a few years ago. You can reach me on mobile 90940199. Cheers . Egil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil66 Posted February 2, 2012 Author Share Posted February 2, 2012 Cool - PM sent (well I think it's a PM) - still learning the forum..! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil B Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 Hello Neil, Looking at your photos it looks to me like you have a much later chassis, so are you sure about the age of the steering rack? It could have been replaced when the car was rebuilt in the mid 90s. If the rack is not a Caterham (Titan) unit, it may be from a LHD Mini, as these were used when supplies of Triumph units dried up. If it is a Triumph unit and you are looking for internal parts, try Canley Classics. They are a good source of Triumph spares, have competitive prices and are a helpful bunch too. Good luck, Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil66 Posted February 2, 2012 Author Share Posted February 2, 2012 Hi Phil - thanks - what makes you think it's a later chassis? I'm pretty certain the rack is Triumph - The patent number cast into the pinion housing belongs to Alford & Alder plus I took piccies & Redline confirmed (or should I say didn't say it wasn't!)... Have a look yourself though as I'm no expert in Triumph racks ;-) Cheers, Neil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil66 Posted February 2, 2012 Author Share Posted February 2, 2012 Elie - it's not the outer end I need it's wear on the inner end - see post above for info on rack details;-) Regarding cam covers - if you mean one of these - I have one sitting waiting for me in Aberdeen - ordered it as soon as they were on the market I'll get it next time I'm home in the uk ;-) Would love to go more retro with a twink in there sometime, but the cam cover will do for now... QED quoted me in excess of 14 grand for a new one (twink that is..!) Edited by - Neil66 on 2 Feb 2012 18:11:34 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheds Moderator Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 That rack does look like the one I remember on the Triumph. The clamping arrangement is familiar. I am talking about 20 year old memories now though, so treat them with caution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil66 Posted February 2, 2012 Author Share Posted February 2, 2012 Beat you - mine are 25 years old and it's bad enough remembering last week these days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Englishmaninwales Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 Hi Phil - thanks - what makes you think it's a later chassis? Pedal box looks post '92 Caterham chassis to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil66 Posted February 2, 2012 Author Share Posted February 2, 2012 Quoting Englishmaninwales: Pedal box looks post '92 Caterham chassis to me. Interesting..I need to research the chassis variations more then.. I didn't actually receive any info on the resto from the guy I bought it from. What he could tell me was that it was done professionally in the uk in 95/96 and the chassis was done by Arch and then imported into Norway. Most of the car (electrics etc) appear to be quite late so perhaps major surgery or even a complete chassis replacement was done - I have no idea to be honest.. I did email Arch to see if they had any history, but never got a response.. Other mods are: 2.0 Zetec, T9 gearbox, later MC, upgraded top wishbones & AR bar, Caterham seats etc... I have some of the original bits... Cheers, Neil. Edit - Had a surf and came across this so I guess this is what you mean & my chassis has indeed been subject to major mods / probably even replacement... hmmm... Edited by - Neil66 on 2 Feb 2012 21:18:18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheds Moderator Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 Is that engine on the yellow one a single carb crossflow? It looks very small and a long way forward. Also, I was surprised that it had a pedal box cover. I don't think the S2 had one as standard. You may find that it has had a short or long front rather than a rechassis. Short fron is everything from front susp mounts forward, long is everything forward of the screen. These are common repairs after accidents, and I suppose also corrosion if necessary. Corrocion is common in the bottom rail, where the ally wraps round and mud/water can collect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil66 Posted February 3, 2012 Author Share Posted February 3, 2012 The rest of the images of the yellow S3 are here... I agree the the engine looks set forward but, again - I'm no expert in sevens (yet!) I may try Arch again to see if I can extract some history on mine. Any idea on where Lotus stamped the chassis numbers on S3's...? Have a look at this - does this seem normal?? Looks a a wee bit mickey mouse to me but then we are talking small-scale hand production in the 60's...! In the big picture - I'm not too bothered about total originality - I want to drive it and enjoy it! To that effect I am upgrading some stuff like brakes & suspenders (hi-spec & Nitrons) this spring & next winter I'm planning a complete rewire together with some engine, 'box & axle tweaks ;-) I will go a little retro on the dash - love the look of the older layout with, central ignition switch, Lucas toggle switches & Smiths dials Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noet Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 Hi Neil. My first seven was a Lotus S3 -69. Very few cars is left with the original chassis. They simply didn't last that long due to corrosion and stuctural weaknes. Most of what I have seen has chassis from late 70's, early 80's. From what I experinced during the restoration, a early chassis swap was fully acsepted as long as the rest was kept original or close to the original. There is also quite a few twin cars, meaning 2 different cars with same chassis number. I doubt Arch has kept an exact record of production, and presume that's why they are careful giving an answer. Have you checked your car against the register and got the chassis number verified? I migth have a few parts from that period stored away somehvere,- spotted the driveshaft a few days ago. Looking forward to see your car soon . (Didn't got your mail) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil66 Posted February 3, 2012 Author Share Posted February 3, 2012 Hi Egil - thanks for the info - we gotta meet! Is your registered email up to date? Basically sent my mob number (XXXXXXXX) [og en svak unnskyldning for min dritt norsk!"] Busy this weekend and next weekend then off to France for "Vinterferie" but through the week or after that sometime would be cool ;-) I tried Arch more for the rebuild info rather than the original records... But maybe I'll illicit a better response if I call them ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noet Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 Checked my profile, and e-mail is ok. Vinterferie, - maybe we can teach some bc's a few norwegian words . Vintereferie, means skiing in Chamonix . Neil, - have a great weekend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil B Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 Hello Neil, As Englishmaninwales said, the pedal box looks wrong. I have a 85 short cockpit Caterham and that uses a cut down aluminium casting to carry pedals and brake master cylinder. This is exposed in the engine bay and you can see through into the footwell below. This is the same arrangement as used on the first of the Caterham S3 and the last of the Lotus chassis. If your steering rack is Triumph, and Alford & Adler sounds suspiciously likely, I recommend you drop Canley an e-mail. According to the on-line catalogues they have on their website, they do stock replacement bushes/cups for the inner ends of the track rods (ie where they screw onto the rack bar). The pinion bushes do not seem to be available, but if these are phosphor bronze they can probably be turned up. Canley do seem to offer replacement rack assemblies to order as a last resort. Good luck, Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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