Superformance MKII, Riverside Racer 289 FIA vintage race car

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by 1795

Blas,

Talked to Rick and Ross before hand, and they will be fine. These straps are for rolling tows, not for being jacked up by a tow truck. I have used them with a winch to get the car on the trailer with no problem. You are right in that if we were trying to jack the car up with them the fiberglass, like the aluminum on the originals, would suffer.

The "quick-jacks" on the Superformance MK II ("289") are identical to the original cars........and therefor fully functional BUT will still often allow body damage. When Shelby developed the quick-jack system it was for race convenience, not for esthetics and therefore using structural tubes that were designed to hold the bumperettes in a "fore/aft" plane in the "up/down" plane was marginal at best. The original FIA/USRRC car bodies were often damaged by use of the jacks, but hey, it's a race car and we will pound it back for the next event. The same physics apply now.

[Blas]

I agree, pulling on them straight along the axis of the two bolts should not be a problem, It is when you exert a load from the left or right when towing. (Not unlike the lifting load from bottom when jacking) which concerned me.
Like a side load when turning while being towed....
But I accept the wisdom of Ross and Rick.....

[1795]

The modified differential bracket arrived today and looked great, so great that I installed it

Here the bracket is hanging in position from the front mounts.



I then raised the bracket and had to use a little pry par and muscle to get it up, as it was a tight fit. Four bolts later and it was installed.



Here is a view of the cutout in the trunk for access to the back panel of the differential for filling fluids and venting, and also to allow for room for the cooling fins.



Lastly, a side view of the stub axels installed that also provides a nice look at the transverse leaf springs.



More to come next week.

[1795]

Spent two long days finishing up the Girlings and installing the Spicer half-shafts on the Salisbury differential. It was a long time coming, but we finally figured out the correct adjustments for mounting the Girlings!

Here they are front and rear.



Being that this is a development car, subsequent racers will be able to convert to Girlings without all of the development hassle. Rick, Ross and Roy will have a package that will make the conversion much easier and quicker than what we went through.

The next step was to put together the Spicer half-shafts and install them. Not an easy endeavor. A lot of scrapes and cuts on my hands and forearms. There is not a lot of room to work with. Thankfully I had the use of Rick's lift, would have ben a real pain with just floor jacks.



The car is now home and I will start preparing it for the engine and transmission install. A lot of work still ahead.

Jim