Rear Tires Rubbing Issue in Butlers

[Fred Douglass]

Last Spring (when I last had her on the road) I ran a set of Hoosier semi-race tires and noted that, due to their enhanced diameter (c. 31") in the rear they rubbed on the body/bulkhead, just behind the seats. When I shifted back to the (28.5" diameter) BFs, the problem, of course, disappeared.

The obvious solution is to stick to the smaller dia. tires, but since I have the body off, and am going to powder-coat the frame, I was thinking of welding the rear risers of the frame (which seem to be set 1" or 2" forward of the back ends of the straight rails) BACK. This looks like a simple fix (since I have the body off). All the rest of the bits seem to be able to fit properly. From what I can tell, there does not seem to be a lot of follow-up problems.

Any thoughts or warnings?

[Jamo]

Everyone told me to lose weight.

Adjustable coilovers (four/six)?

[Fred Douglass]

JAMOOOOO,

Ar-ar-ar-ar.

'Way phunnie. We got into a whole buncha good stuff, including a brandy-new front end (Butler's best [and last] modified MGB thing------including 6-pot Wilwoods, etc.). Also a good lick of body fairing, etc.

Re our frame stretch maneuver, it DOES look like things will fit just marvy. The link-ups with the rear body frame-loop is also a mere cut and patch. It'll end up with a 91.5+ wheelbase. Can't hurt things, eh?

Oh, and I have lost weight. Oughta be suicidal on that windsurf-skate thing this wintah.

Good to hear from ya.

Go PATS!

[Jamo]

I love what you're doing...she deserved it. sniff

[Fred Douglass]

I will post pichahs as soon as I figger out how. Car won't be done until----oh, mebbe March.
I am still wondering if other people encountered the same type of rubbing. I know Jerry Goddard has the identical car and has had the same problem. Just wondering if others did too.

At age 62 (!!!!) maybe I will eschew the 50-60 mph. windsuffering mitz skates, ja? Last year's "harvest" was many, many stitches, but not one on my gorgeous 'tocks. 'Tis a hazard of the "sport".

Carrion,

[n6opv]

Originally Posted by Fred Douglass

I was thinking of welding the rear risers of the frame (which seem to be set 1" or 2" forward of the back ends of the straight rails) BACK.

I may be picturing this wrong in my head, but by doing this you will effectively move the entire rear section of the frame back. Is this what you're thinking of? You'll have body fitment problems with this at the attachment points, through the trunk area and at the rear of the car. Not to mention the rollbar mounting points. How old is your car?

Early cars had a 90" wheelbase and did have the tire rubbing problems you are encountering. Arntz's and Butler's change on the later cars was to move the upper differential mount rearward 1" to give a 91" wheelbase and to better center the wheel in the well. Offset upper shock mounts were also used but you can get around this with spacers and a bit more separation between the coil-overs. This may be a simpler solution but may require some other changes depending on what your lower diff. mounting arrangement is.

Pictures of your current setup would definitely help

Jason

[Fred Douglass]

That's what I was looking for! All the input I can get....we're still specking all the data and doing measurements. Since it doesn't make much sense to drive the car in winter conditions, the project's kind of "relaxed". No big rush----lots of time to sort out options.

We are really going to examine the differential and shock mounts and other areas which might need attention.The body mounting, re the rear hoop, etc. looks like it will allow some cut-and- weld treatment. One main issue is getting the articulation of the shocks, axle shafts, etc., to function properly. The other aspect is just the simple aesthetics----you can see that the rear wheel-well isn't "filled" properly when the tire is so far forward. That's a minor consideration, though.

One guy we are consulting with said that Butler's set-up was one of the most "elegant" and effective he'd seen-----and he fabricates race cars!

In any case, we're not rushing into this.

Thanks,