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Cutting the bottom of the bellhousing
speedyxjs - 9/12/10 at 09:55 AM

Im thinking about shortening my sump over the winter but as the bellhousing is as low as the sump, i would also need to cut the bottom of the bellhousing off. Other than the clutch getting damp and the possibility of it getting wet (would fit a splash guard), is this likely to cause any problems? I would probably take an inch or two out but will make sure the flywheel is not exposed.

blakep82 - 9/12/10 at 09:59 AM

i don't think they're usually much bigger than the fly wheel, so i think the flywheel is still likely to stick out. you might save an inch or so though (the thickness of the bell housing flange)

r1_pete - 9/12/10 at 10:00 AM

I did similar on my last build, took about 50mm off including the flange on the MT75 box, and welded a flat 3mm alloy plate in to re 'seal' the gap.

andylancaster3000 - 9/12/10 at 10:23 AM

Took quite a lot of ours out so could we panel in the underside and leave the tube in most people cut out!





[Edited on 9/12/10 by andylancaster3000]

[Edited on 9/12/10 by andylancaster3000]

dhutch - 9/12/10 at 10:30 AM

quote:
Originally posted by andylancaster3000
Took quite a lot of ours out so could we panel in the underside and leave the tube in most people cut out!

I was expecting to see that make and appearence!

andylancaster3000 - 9/12/10 at 10:40 AM

RazMan - 9/12/10 at 10:53 AM

Andy, From that angle it looks like you are going to have an oval flywheel

andylancaster3000 - 9/12/10 at 10:58 AM

It's a very effective oval flywheel though

dhutch - 9/12/10 at 10:58 AM

quote:
Originally posted by RazMan
Andy, From that angle it looks like you are going to have an oval flywheel


Yeah, its a very clever flywheel concept...



But no, back to topic, i carnt see it being a problem, although i would want to make very sure that the flywheel could not be struck if the car grounded on a curb/bump or simular becuase i could imagine that getting very messy very fast and it will happen!


Daniel

[Edited on 9/12/2010 by dhutch]

speedyxjs - 9/12/10 at 11:06 AM

Great, thanks guys

nick205 - 9/12/10 at 11:44 AM

quote:
Originally posted by andylancaster3000
Took quite a lot of ours out so could we panel in the underside and leave the tube in most people cut out!





[Edited on 9/12/10 by andylancaster3000]

[Edited on 9/12/10 by andylancaster3000]



Does the standard starter motor still fit or did it need modifying as well?

I like the fact you've managed to retain the normally removed chasis tube and the full flat bottom.

andylancaster3000 - 9/12/10 at 12:04 PM

Yeh, standard starter fits ok. Bit fiddly getting to the lower most bolt mind. The gap between the clutch housing and that tube is not large but a miss is as good as a mile!

There is now a bit of the panel removed to aid cooling but nothing hangs below the chassis still. Should we end up getting cooling through another 'hole' I'd hope re-panel it!

[Edited on 9/12/10 by andylancaster3000]

Bluemoon - 9/12/10 at 01:25 PM

Just remember the bell housing is normally only thing between your legs and the flywheel. Also cutting big chunks out of it will weaken it. Not to say that this is a problem but at some point it will be..

Dan

MikeR - 9/12/10 at 02:10 PM

True - but in that picture, the flywheel is well before the start of the footwell. If things ever do let go, the bigger issue will be the engine bay having fuel all over it.

andylancaster3000 - 9/12/10 at 03:31 PM

Yup, flywheel forward of the feet so its never really been a concern. I have wondered it in the past with clubmans style cars which have next to no bellhousing and a bit of 20swg ally between your knees and the flywheel.

Even if the flywheel came away when you had a full bell-housing I'm not sure it would stay contained, theres just a hell of an amount of energy to get rid of...

[Edited on 9/12/10 by andylancaster3000]

Canada EH! - 9/12/10 at 04:08 PM

Some years ago the clutch in a 105E powered Ginette let go in a race and the pressure plate ended up lodged in the offside door, it was a LHD car, luckily it all missed the drivers feet and legs. Do be carefull.