Into The Fire?

[Elva 11]

New on here, would like to say hello and probably be looking for all sorts of advice along the way.
Current situation. 11 Kit is on order and I’ve broken a 72 Midget rot box for parts, was almost sad to see the shell away on the breakers truck.
Engine down to parts and is in really quite good condition.
Spec for the new build. Engine out to 1380, fast road tune. Frontline 5 speed gearbox. Escort back axle . The Midget one was rusted through and what with the fears of diff/ half shafts/ lack of decent spares it seems the right thing to do? Also gives me 8” brakes on the back to go with Frontline twin calliper fronts.
Still at the uber oily stage but at least all the frozen fastenings are finished with.
Are any of you within 50 miles of Hastings, I would love to come and have a look and a chat about any stupid holes I might fall into along the way.
Really looking forward to the project. Watch this space.
Cheers Ian

[erictharg]

Glad to have you on board. Plenty of advice to be had - some of which you may not want! I'm Peterborough way so probably lilttle too far away for a visit. How does the Escort axle compare in terms of width?

[adamwilkinson]

Its ~4" wider give or take overall. If you look at the cut outs on our trailer you can see the difference, we had to make the modification when i first had the locost.

[Elva 11]

We machined section from each axle side, fitted machined inner sleeve, plug welded the sleeve in them re-welded the case. Final skim to true up the axle ends. Half shafts were shortened, 60mm half step on each section, jigged and welded after turning down so that a machined outer sleeve will clear the hub bearing. Welded on sleeve machined to correct diameter then straightened the shaft.
Waiting for dimensions of the link/ Panhard Rod brackets from Westfield to complete.
New axle is within 1mm of Midget dimension to brake drum outer face.
Hope it works!

[biggles]

Welcome! If you can do that sort of fabrication it should be an easy build for you!

[jonclancy]

Welcome also, Ian.

So, photos?? Sounds like you've specced a belter there!

I'm more than happy to email you any pics of my car. I didn't build it (TonyL did the excellent job of doing that), but I have been fettling it a bit (doors, battery placement, ignition etc).

We're going to the Revival on the Friday, if you'd like a look at the car.

I'm doing my first track day tomorrow. Only down the road at Hullavington Airfield, so not too gnarly to start off with (like Combe!!).

You'll get plenty of help from the guys here - doesn't sound like you'd need much!