Hi Rich,
Scratching my head here, because my T10 diff casing
was cracked and repaired suggesting tough use... plus
from the history I've been digging up, 1135 also held
a Holbay Twincam for several years - there's
supporting evidence of this in the engine bay as well.
I've heard both sides of the stories "broke after 40
miles" and also "never a frame failure but broke
plenty of axles." Just seemed like the questionable
element was whether or not all the frames were built
to same spec, intentional or not... we've all heard
about the tube frames being delivered to Cheshunt
where they stood out back of the shop in the weather
until needed - maybe some sat out there longer and
gathered a little more surface rust than others?
Varied weakness depending on which side was up? Which
frame was sitting on the damp earth? Who knows?
Jeremy, thanks for the tip on Arch - hadn't occurred
to me, and I've fired off an email.
Cheers,
John D
--- Fourwheeldrifter <thesimms@mindspring.com> wrote:
> Greetings John and All,
>
> John, it ALL has to do with the amount of flexing
> stress the chassis has
> been put through. Racing conditions do that quite
> well and this appears to
> be a point of the most flexibility in the cockpit
> area. It even shows a
> difference as to which side the driver is seated,
> the right side being the
> worst! I don't think it has anything to do with
> dates or standards...just
> hard use. In your case, the BMC powered cars were
> not the power of choice
> for racing in the U.S. The Ford had more cc in
> standard form and was equal
> in preparation costs and could be upgraded to a
> higher class with just the
> addition of a new short-block and race prep.
>
> Rich
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "john donohoe" <gt6driver@yahoo.com>
> To: <lotus@se7ens.net>
> Sent: Monday, May 20, 2002 9:20 AM
> Subject: Re: [Lotus] S2 Frame Failures
>
>
> > Now, My 61 S2 frame has no reinforcement at all,
> and
> > the non-original speedo indicates 50,000+ miles,
> which
> > previous owners have all agreed with. I have no
> > outward evidence of frame weakness, not even in
> the
> > corners you mention Rich.
> >
> > I'm trying to figure out if some frames may have
> been
> > assembled to differing standards?
> >
> > May have to connect production dates/numbers with
> > particular failures?
> >
> > Still looking at it and gathering info!
> >
> > John Donohoe
> >
> > --- Fourwheeldrifter <thesimms@mindspring.com>
> wrote:
> > > Greetings John and All,
> > >
> > > One of the most common failures in the Series II
> > > Lotus Seven chassis seems
> > > to occur at the intersection point of the top
> side
> > > tube of the cockpit where
> > > it joins the arched tube forming the wheel arch
> at
> > > the seat back. I hope
> > > you understand where I mean. :-) This is
> > > particularly problematic in cars
> > > which have been raced. My car/chassis only has
> > > about 2,500 miles on it but
> > > they are almost all race miles and the aluminum
> skin
> > > is showing signs of
> > > fatigue fracture due to chassis flexing at this
> > > point. I am not certain if
> > > the weld in the chassis members themselves have
> > > deteriorated or the general
> > > flexability at this point has resulted in the
> skin
> > > fractures. I realize
> > > there are braces which are put in that section
> to
> > > help prevent this when the
> > > chassis is reskinned. Perhaps someone out there
> has
> > > come across this problem
> > > and reskinned their car and could advise me as
> to
> > > the condition of that
> > > point in the chassis when it was uncovered. It
> is
> > > not my intention to
> > > replace the skin if it can be avoided.
> > >
> > > Rich
> > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > From: john donohoe
> > > > Sent: Friday, May 17, 2002 8:31 AM
> > > > To: Lotus@se7ens.net
> > > > Subject: [Lotus] S2 Frame Failures
> > > >
> > > > Hello all,
> > > >
> > > > just a quick survey... I wonder how many Lotus
> > > Seven
> > > > owners have actually experienced a frame
> failure
> > > of
> > > > some sort?
> > > >
> > > > Please describe and indicate whether it was in
> > > > competition or normal road use. Off-list if
> you
> > > like.
> > > >
> > > > I am interested in first hand experiences in
> S2
> > > frames
> > > > which were NOT strengthened in any way after
> they
> > > left
> > > > the factory.
> > > >
> > > > Please don't bother sending me info on mods -
> > > that's
> > > > not what I'm after. If you did send a
> description
> > > of
> > > > your frame failure with your original
> submission
> > > to
> > > > SimpleSevens, please forgive me asking again
> and
> > > just
> > > > remind me :-)
> > > >
> > > > Cheers,
> > > > John Donohoe
> > > > SimpleSevens.com
>
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