As promised, pics.
Here is an assembled strut and the bits that go in it. Trial assembly so the insert isn't tightened fully.
I needed to make up a spacer (blue bit next to the nyloc nut on the left) for the top of the camber plate and a bit of excess adjustable front swaybar link from that I resized to fit the Goluf R6turbo seemed like a good idea. Especially since I have no 25mm ali bar stock. But the 5/8" hole is too close in diameter to the flats that were on the link so I will buy some bar and make new ones up. I wont tap them to suit the thread on the insert, just a nice hole to keep everything centred. The alternative is to use the standard top camber plate sleeve and just put a spacer on top but I like the idea of a single piece spacer/sleeve.
Here is a comparison between the dirty old Monroe insert and the Bilstein rally insert. Much betterer. The insert has a blue plastic condom to protect the damper shaft but it is a tight fit in the coil. Even though the Escort will be a road car I think I will still fit the sleeve and see how it goes.
I will fit these up and put the wheels and brakes on the front. Then I have to make up engine mounts but I have to have a discussion the the certifying engineer first. I want to chassis mount the engine but the stock Kent or Pinto is cross member mounted. Some conjecture on whether chassis mount is ok. Certainly will make setting up the driveline easier. Then nothing more on suspension until it is finished. Corner weighted to get springs then drive test. Sydney shocks can revalve the rear Gp4 dampers if they are too stiff but I am thinking the Borg Warner 78 will need the stiffer dampers. Anyway that is a way off at the moment. Have to track down a TruTrack for the diff too.
Here is an assembled strut and the bits that go in it. Trial assembly so the insert isn't tightened fully.
I needed to make up a spacer (blue bit next to the nyloc nut on the left) for the top of the camber plate and a bit of excess adjustable front swaybar link from that I resized to fit the Goluf R6turbo seemed like a good idea. Especially since I have no 25mm ali bar stock. But the 5/8" hole is too close in diameter to the flats that were on the link so I will buy some bar and make new ones up. I wont tap them to suit the thread on the insert, just a nice hole to keep everything centred. The alternative is to use the standard top camber plate sleeve and just put a spacer on top but I like the idea of a single piece spacer/sleeve.
Here is a comparison between the dirty old Monroe insert and the Bilstein rally insert. Much betterer. The insert has a blue plastic condom to protect the damper shaft but it is a tight fit in the coil. Even though the Escort will be a road car I think I will still fit the sleeve and see how it goes.
I will fit these up and put the wheels and brakes on the front. Then I have to make up engine mounts but I have to have a discussion the the certifying engineer first. I want to chassis mount the engine but the stock Kent or Pinto is cross member mounted. Some conjecture on whether chassis mount is ok. Certainly will make setting up the driveline easier. Then nothing more on suspension until it is finished. Corner weighted to get springs then drive test. Sydney shocks can revalve the rear Gp4 dampers if they are too stiff but I am thinking the Borg Warner 78 will need the stiffer dampers. Anyway that is a way off at the moment. Have to track down a TruTrack for the diff too.
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