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Re: 1977 CS1 imported to UK from California

Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2016 4:17 pm
by ElGrande
Hi Phil,

I just read this impressing blog of yours! :D

Now i have a question or two...

For what exactly is the torsion propshaft and where did you get this thing? I know the Rubber doughnut or rag joint is hard available in good quality, but i heard that there are some (Mercedes etc.)

What did you do with the Shifter and why did you lower the engine 25mm?
Do you have some more pics from this work?

Best regards from Munich

Norbert

Re: 1977 CS1 imported to UK from California

Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2016 4:33 am
by pgilling
Hello Norbert - Grüss Gott!

Apologies for my slow reply but I blame it on the chaos caused by family visits at Christmas :roll:

The torsion propshaft does away with the rubber 'doughnut'; it is a more modern solution and can handle huge amounts of power if needed. The engineer who fitted my 131 gearbox suggested it and sourced it from from Bailey Morris Ltd as shown on the label in one of the pictures. He gave them the required dimensions and they produced it. I can't remember how much I paid but I think it was around £2-300. I'm very pleased with the result.

I'm not sure what you meant by 'what did I do with the shifter' but the 131 gearbox needs to have the remote shifter - sometimes known (incorrectly!) as the 'Abarth shifter' - otherwise the stick will hit the dashboard. Because the stick sits around 8-10 cm further back with the remote shifter I had to cut out the ashtray from the centre console and make a new wooden cover to surround the shifter.

The engine was lowered by around 20-25 mm by using race engine mounts. This gave enough clearance to fit the 131 gearbox without needing to cut any of the transmission tunnel away. You'll see from the pictures that the crossmember had to have a small edge cut out to clear the sump as the engine had moved down and slightly rearwards.

The only pictures I have are on this thread a few pages back.

I hope this is useful and please let me know if you need any more help.

Regards,

Phil

Re: 1977 CS1 imported to UK from California

Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2017 10:50 am
by ElGrande
Servus Phil, :D

Thank you for your fast reply at these Holidays ;) and a "Happy New Year

The torsion propshaft is a great solution, I think i have to contact the Bailey Morris Ltd...
I already had the shifter shortened, but its still not in the right place because it was just around 35mm they cut out from it.
But I still hope that i can fix the transmission without cutting, maybe with some hammering :roll:

Where did you get the race engine mounts and what happens to the other parts of the drive train/propeller shaft? Are they in one level?

Regards

Norbert

Re: 1977 CS1 imported to UK from California

Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2017 4:04 am
by pgilling
Hi Norbert,

Unfortunately I don't know those answers as a friend of mine, Ian 'Nix' Nixon, did all the work at his workshop. As he's an expert I left him to do the work and he also improved the front suspension and steering on my Spider at the same time, consequently I don't know the small details of where he got things etc. Incidentally it was Ian who made a beautiful replica of the famous Top Gear 'Lotus Lada' years ago, there are clips on YouTube of it racing as it has a Guy Croft engine.

I hope he won't mind me sending you his details as he's pretty busy at the moment restoring classic cars, but I'll PM you his email address.

Regards,

Phil

Re: 1977 CS1 imported to UK from California

Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2017 11:39 am
by Kongphooey
Checking in on this thread. I'm having the same issue. Were you able to get this resolved? Thanks.

M

Re: 1977 CS1 imported to UK from California

Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2017 12:43 pm
by pgilling
Hi M,

Which issue, sourcing race engine mounts or getting a torsion propshaft?

Either way, race mounts I'm afraid I don't know as the engineer who installed my 131 'box sourced them.

As for the propshaft Baily Morris Ltd in the UK did an excellent job making it.

I'm afraid Norbert never replied after I sent him a reply so I've no idea what he did :cry:

Regards, Phil

Re: 1977 CS1 imported to UK from California

Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 6:24 pm
by ElGrande
Hi Phil,

I read your reply, but before the end of may I can't work on my Fiat :(

So nothing happend in the past 6 months... :(

Regards

Norbert

Re: 1977 CS1 imported to UK from California

Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 8:47 pm
by pgilling
Oh no, how frustrating :(

Re: 1977 CS1 imported to UK from California

Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2017 3:24 am
by ElGrande
It is, but the time is near :twisted: