Early X Flow Steering Rack - How one job rolls into another!

[Tazio]

You know how it goes, one job/problem leads to another....

I'm rebuilding an 84/85 Crossflow, engine back from the engine builders, dropped it in, complete with it's new K&Ns to replace the original pancake filters.  Try fitted the new bonnet, and you can see, the filters are resting on the bonnet, an easy fix is penny washers under the engine mounts to lift the engine.. ah but that raises the height of the dry sump pump which now contacts the steering column....so I can either rotate the rack to try and lift the column a bit, or should I raise the rack height? So my question is, on early cars do they suffer from bump steer and benefit from raising the rack?, or will I be compromising the steering somewhat?

Alan

[rkeywood]

Hi Alan,

I can't answer your question but I had pretty much the same on mine. I also found the dry sump engine mount slightly lower than the standard which compounded things. I've always had a 3.2mm washer under the engine mount and managed to rotate the rack so the column clears the pump. 

Robert

[OldAndrewE]

A more complicated solution but when I fitted twin 40 Dellortos to my X-flow (which are said to not fit) I got the engine face of the manifold (origin unknown - not Caterham, it came with the carbs) machined at a slight angle to raise the carbs to the correct location. Used tapered washers under the fixings

[Molecular--Bob]

My 1990 car had its steel bodied rack shimmed, so i guess bump-steer is possible in your age of car. Not sure what the order of work would be? Probably sort rack height, then pack the engine mount (or shave the other side), then rotate rack if you still have interference.

[Tazio]

Thanks guys, I know I'll get there, was just wondering if raising the rack will compromise the steering any.

Alan 

[Jonathan Kay]

Can you add a nose-on photo to show the angle of the track rods?

A big thread on bump steer, including what and how to measure and some history.

Jonathan 

 

[Tazio]

Johnathan, thank you for the reference , as for a picture, we are a few steps away from being able to do that, I need to set the ride heights for it to be meaningful and that will be a while yet.

Alan