Chuck, if the opening is "small" it really doesn't matter whether you put
the hole in the top of the tunnel or in the belly pan -- you're not going
to weaken the structure significantly. However, theoretically speaking,
you would be better off to cut an opening in the belly pan because that
part of the structure is loaded in tension, while the tunnel is loaded in
compression. Putting a cover plate on the opening in the bottom would
restore some of the strength removed by the hole, but a cover plate on the
tunnel would not matter strengthwise. Wherever you cut the hole, make sure
the hole is circular or has rounded corners. If the corners are sharp,
cracks may develop out of the corners (not likely, but possible).
If you put a hole in the tunnel, I assume you would also have to pull up
the carpet for access, no?
Steve Byers
Havelock, NC USA
'73 Midget GAN5UD126009G "OO NINE"
"It is better to remain silent, and be thought a fool,
than to speak, and remove all doubt." -- Mark Twain
----------
> From: Chuck Ciaffone <chuckc@ibm.net>
> To: spridgets@Autox.Team.Net
> Subject: Cut The Tunnel?
> Date: Wednesday, December 24, 1997 9:57 AM
>
> Need some advice:
>
> Haiving installed the Datsun 5-speed kit, which is
> truly a great upgrade, I would like to improve access
> to the back end of the transmission and the front U joint.
>
> Rather than trying to make an access panel in the bottom
> plate of the tunnel, under the transmission, which looks
> like it might weaken the structure, why could I not cut
> the top of the tunnel (what we kids in the 50's called
> "the hump"). I could get some galvanized sheet metal to
> form a piece that would wrap around the hump and attach
> to the sides with sheet-metal screws. Then I could just
> remove the screws to access the tunnel.
>
> Question: How much strength is supplied by the belly plate,
> and how much is supplied by the "hump?"
>
> chuck
>
>
> --
> =====================================================
>
> chuck ciaffone chuckc@ibm.net
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