DRL152K Marina based roadster rebuild

[jon_cox]

Thank-you :-) After your comments I decided to revisit the silencer height. In fact the silencer seems fine, but I think I will have to remake the support as the u-bolt protrudes below the silencer.
Out of interest - do you know what is the height of your chassis above the ground?

Cheers, Robin

The information given in the build manual for final ride height is:

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[Ye Ol Ripper]

I seem to recall that the single carbed 1800 required the lower land rover mounts , however I am unsure what are actually fitted on my car. The front carb pancake airfilter rubs on the aluminium 90 deg strengthening piece that sits on top of the nearside panel. I filed a tiny v off it and there is nolonger any noise from it with engine idling.

With regards to speed humps, the workmen often make them higher than they are supposed to.

If you do run into problems on a steep speed hump. Go slowly over it at a diagonal.

[martinclan56]

Thanks all
I am using 15" wire wheels with 165/70 tyres. I think when I calculated the diameter it was about 24" which is slightly more than a 185/70/13. So may give me an additional few mm clearance for the chassis with the standard suspension settings.
185mm to the chassis sounds perfect. Alledgedly the maximum height allowed for speed humps is 100 mm giving about 85mm clearance to the chassis and a cats whisker to the exhaust :-)
As to the upper ball joint clearance - it won't be a problem for me as I (will) have cycle wings which have no inner wing!
Don't know about the sump yet as the engine is yet to be fitted! But it's a B series and will be mounted on the lower landrover engine rubbers which I understand are necessary for the front carb to clear the bonnet top.

[Ye Ol Ripper]

Robin. My measurements are as follows, my car is fitted with185/70/13 tyres on Compomotive CX alloys.

My measurement from the lower edge of the chassis, (directly below the front exhaust hanging bracket) to the floor is 185mm.

The exhaust pipe exits from under the nearside chassis with 25mm (1") clearance. This provides sufficient clearance so the underside floor paint doesn't get burnt off.

Let me know if you need further measurements.

If you are using bigger diameter wheels but with lower profiles than mine, your ride height will probably be lower than mine. IiRc you plan to use 15" wire wheels?

With regards to Adrian's very useful input , especially ensuring you have sufficient clearance by trimming the upper ball joint thread protrusion.

Can you clarify if you wanted to know my sump pan to ground clearance, as mine clears speed humps ok?

The other engines whether A series, Pinto or Lancia/ Alfa, I would have thought are different heights and therefore, how low a particular sump hangs down below the chassis would surely be something to consider?

[listerjp2]

Hi Andy. Your engine is a Pinto so the sump height may well differ from the Marina 1800 engine. I will measure mine today once it stops raining

The secret is not whether it is Pinto, 1800, 1300 or anything, it is to make sure the top of the suspension upright does not touch the inner wing when the suspension is fully compressed.

The instructions give you a starting point, that's all.

It takes a bit of tweaking of the torsion bars and reaction lever.

If you have clearance problems then you may have to set it higher.

That is why you will see different heights even on like engined Marlins.

I have seen that sometimes the bolt holding the suspension upright on has not been cut down enough and hence you will find some Mk2's with dents in there inner wings.

It will take a bit of patience but keep at it.

I note that you are to have cycle wings so won't be a problem.

Get it to look right and safe over speed bumps.

Good luck

Adrian

Here's the starting point.

[Ye Ol Ripper]

On mine the bottom of the chassis rail to the floor is 8" but the sump is closer to 5"

Hi Andy. Your engine is a Pinto so the sump height may well differ from the Marina 1800 engine. I will measure mine today once it stops raining

[andyf]

Mine is 170mm measured below doors.

Adrian

On mine the bottom of the chassis rail to the floor is 8" but the sump is closer to 5"

[Ye Ol Ripper]

Hi Robin. I will measure up tomorrow morning for you.

[listerjp2]

Thank-you :-) After your comments I decided to revisit the silencer height. In fact the silencer seems fine, but I think I will have to remake the support as the u-bolt protrudes below the silencer.
Out of interest - do you know what is the height of your chassis above the ground?

Cheers, Robin

Mine is 170mm measured below doors.

Adrian

[martinclan56]

Hi Robin . I confirm my exhaust runs under the chassis rail, without bottoming out on speed humps. A hidden bonus for your future passengers is that the heat passing under the floor keeps their feet warm , which has been beneficial on a cold wet day.

Thank-you :-) After your comments I decided to revisit the silencer height. In fact the silencer seems fine, but I think I will have to remake the support as the u-bolt protrudes below the silencer.
Out of interest - do you know what is the height of your chassis above the ground?

Cheers, Robin

[Ye Ol Ripper]

Hi Robin . I confirm my exhaust runs under the chassis rail, without bottoming out on speed humps. A hidden bonus for your future passengers is that the heat passing under the floor keeps their feet warm , which has been beneficial on a cold wet day.

[martinclan56]

Thanks for the observations :-)
The silencer is actually no lower than the pipe from the manifold which I am running under the chassis rail as I have seen many others do. That combined with the fact I am using 15" inch wheels (so the chassis will be a bit higher than normal) I hope will be enough. But as always with these things it may, or may not, pan out as planned
Cheers Robin

[Ye Ol Ripper]

Hi Robin.

Looking at the silencer you have. From the photo it appears to be running very close to the floor. If that is the case, have you considered the many speed humps we encounter now on the road?

My exhaust exits the side in front of the passenger rear wheel. It clears all the speed humps i have encountered so far , where as many Roadsters don't.

The reason is its well tucked up under the running board . With regards to noise levels ,it has a deep rumble at idle.
However, it is pretty quiet when cruising and I can easily talk to my passenger, without the need to talk any louder than usual. Perhaps the wind carries the noise away on the move.

There is also very little baffle or wadding in my silencer, as it is the original silencer from 1989.


Even accelerating, it doesn't seem excessively loud, most of the noise heard is heard from the twin SU's .

[martinclan56]

Thank you. Yes, aware about the need for reflectors. Just haven't decided where to put them yet!

[MOC Chair]

The exhaust looks a really good fit. With any luck the airflow will keep things cool around the pipe.
As a matter of interest, you will need to fit separate reflectors since those lights do not incorporate any. They do look better than the originals though.