Colin Lindsay Posted March 26, 2021 Report Share Posted March 26, 2021 I've trial fitted the refurbished Herald bulkhead to the refurbished Herald chassis and things are not lining up as I'd like, so I need a few second / third etc opinions. If I mount the bulkhead using the two front bolts on the chassis front outriggers, the side mountings are too far forward so the mounting bolt will not go up through. If I slide the bulkhead back until the side mountings will take the bolts, the front holes are out by 1/2 inch. Now: I know there's a lot of movement allowed between all the components and I can elongate some of the mounting holes (I suspect the side mounts are wrong), or even fabricate some new mounting brackets to give a good grip in the shorter width that movement will permit, but the main issue is: when do I decide the gaps are correct? I suspect some 'fettling' is required but I need to know how much. If anyone can have a look at the photos of my white Estate and the primer Convertible and give an opinion on the correct position? The white Estate seems very far forward so that there is no gap at all between the bulkhead and the chassis outrigger; on the convertible, when I line up the side mountings, there's a huge gap, (photos show it pushed back to suit the side mounts) but if I push it forward to use the front holes as the datum point it closes but not as much as the Estate. What does everyone else's look like? No shows to go to to compare, no club meets, no reference photos online... so any photos or comments welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68vitesse Posted March 26, 2021 Report Share Posted March 26, 2021 As the two inner front outrigger bolt holes are the important ones I would measure their distance back from the stearing rack mounting holes. My Vitesse is like your top picture, the one with the white chassis. Regards Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Truman Posted March 26, 2021 Report Share Posted March 26, 2021 The front mounting I always understood to be the datum, ie no movement fixed position and a solid washer between body and outrigger, no rubber? Are the outriggers on both cars the same dimensions the white one looks wider at the chassis mount, looking on ebay there are many versions of the front outrigger available, constant taper or slope on the bottom flange to the more correct as original double angled taper/slope also some look narrower in their width. I have two original NOS Triumph ones in the garage with the double slope, was going to fit to the Vitesse but it was only the bottom flang that was rusty so it was cut out and replaced the main chassis rail was still solid. You've checked the black outrigger is positioned correctly via the official chassis alignments, easy enough to triangulate the front mounting bolt. I recently had to unbolt the rear tub on the Vitesse to close the rear door gap just 3mm, what a bugger of a job that was now I have to reset the door longitudinal alignment and locks and antiburst fittings Uugh! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH Posted March 27, 2021 Report Share Posted March 27, 2021 I may not be correct?, that I apreciate. But the way I see it, the "datum" are the 2 Bolts in the Engine bay. (front Tub) And the bolts on the top of the Rear axle mount. (Rear Tub)? Everything else falls from that.?. Which is how my 13/60 went back together. As they where the two "positives" and most likely (least) undisturbed by distortion due to panel replacement and welding. It does however Assume that outriggers if replaced where accurately aligned. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted March 27, 2021 Report Share Posted March 27, 2021 when we first removed the bulkhead on the Vit6 the sized holes had been opened up to allow more adjustment something like now 3/4" and big washer agree they should be the fixed datum but it all went back as was , and was never a problem after all these years what the heck with a re built floor and straight chassis the packers elsewhere were what ever was needed with some very large gaps to pack with all the variations in kits and parts books ally spacers at front 2 and the two over the diff x member all others solid spacers and one rubber pad and earth bonded everything to everything back to the battery , so no more rusty body earths also made some simple wooden door gap gauges that slot over the seal flange so tubs cant converge when messing about and once all fits were ok'd added a sized hole/bolt thro the tread plate so the tubs would never close up ever again Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted March 27, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2021 12 hours ago, Peter Truman said: The front mounting I always understood to be the datum, ie no movement fixed position and a solid washer between body and outrigger, no rubber? Are the outriggers on both cars the same dimensions the white one looks wider at the chassis mount, looking on ebay there are many versions of the front outrigger available, constant taper or slope on the bottom flange to the more correct as original double angled taper/slope also some look narrower in their width. The estate was originally built with a solid mount at the front; this was later believed to be incorrect and the only solid mount is on top of the diff supports. Putting a solid mounting at the front actually pulled the bulkhead inwards as the rubber mounts on the side mounts compressed leaving a backward slope on the bulkhead, and the roof wouldn't fit. I've measured from suspension mounts to outrigger and it's the same on both cars; but there are different versions of outrigger available so it's no longer 100% set in stone. With a restored chassis and an original bulkhead, no problem working out which needs altered, or vice versa, but with both restored, and separately, I need to work out which to tweak. I've got new front outriggers salted away but only as a last resort. The main worry is that I fit the bulkhead, gap the doors, fit the rear tub and only then find that the bonnet fouls the front grille, or something simple like that that will ruin the entire thing. I know I've got room to manoeuvre with any of the sections - up to a point - but want to arrive at the best possible, so that other owners won't look at the car in years to come and ask: what's wrong with your bonnet / gaps / bulkhead? Someone always does... I reckon this afternoon is going to be another round of measuring and calculating... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted March 27, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2021 Been out this morning measuring what I can and comparing with known data. When I move the bulkhead to the two front mounts only, it looks closer to what I would call normal: This however puts the side mounts out by slightly over 1/2 an inch. Everything else about the bulkhead seems to align up with the one already fitted on the Estate. I would guess then that either the repair sections at the base of both A posts are wrong, or the side rails have been welded incorrectly; however as the side rail aligns with the end of the front outrigger I'd yet again guess that the body mount repair sections on the bulkhead are wrong. It should be simple enough to cut the mounts off, or replace with new if necessary, and reweld 1/2 inch back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68vitesse Posted March 27, 2021 Report Share Posted March 27, 2021 Just a thought have the side rails been put on back to front. Regards Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted March 27, 2021 Report Share Posted March 27, 2021 can you not re drill the side rails and fit a crush tube as a simpler operation Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted March 27, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2021 Must go look at that option... but as it's all been freshly painted, and the bulkhead has not, it seemed easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daverclasper Posted March 27, 2021 Report Share Posted March 27, 2021 Just looked. My Vit is like the very first pic (same as Paul said). Can try to do a pic if you want, though if it's anything like when I recently tryed to attach a vid, then maybe not. I think that area is sometimes shown on car ads?. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH Posted March 27, 2021 Report Share Posted March 27, 2021 Took these earlier to-day. If of any Help:- Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted March 27, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2021 Excellent! Thanks Pete. I've decided I'm going to fit the entire body; tub, doors etc and see how they line up before deciding what to fettle. There's always a little bit of room to play with so that will help me make a decision, but all photos are welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Truman Posted March 27, 2021 Report Share Posted March 27, 2021 Colin you said you wanted photo's here's my Mk2 Vitesse Front Outriggers there original fitment but the bottom flange where it's welded to the backbone has been replaced insitu only, but on both sides one was a little blebby but backbone was good! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH Posted March 28, 2021 Report Share Posted March 28, 2021 23 hours ago, Pete Lewis said: and earth bonded everything to everything back to the battery , so no more rusty body earths Yes Pete, I`ve wondered about that. Did you use seperate Bonds. Or just run a Cable to the Rear from the Battery? (negative). Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted March 28, 2021 Report Share Posted March 28, 2021 just used a decent bit of cable and bolt or taptite eyelets to join tubs and chassis all together with a return to the battery zone all with one length of cable no joints Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted March 28, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2021 Thanks Peter T; it looks like the front outriggers are correct but possibly as Pete L says the side rails might not be. I might be able to fit another crush tube along the side to avoid messing with the mountings, once I get the rear tub on and see how the rears (and indeed all of the other body panels) line up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul H Posted March 28, 2021 Report Share Posted March 28, 2021 Bit late to the party on this one This is what my Vitesse looks like . The corner of the bracket is just proud of the Rigger like PeterH Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted March 28, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2021 Never too late! It's all helping me immensely so that I'm more certain where it's meant to be, and what's out of place... I can pass it on to the bodyworker with certainty. He doesn't know Triumphs so will be relying on what I tell him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH Posted March 28, 2021 Report Share Posted March 28, 2021 Now all I need is someone to tell my why I have an 1/2" gap between the Cills and the doors.😟. With all the other shut lines looking "reasonable". Pete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted March 28, 2021 Report Share Posted March 28, 2021 its so you can undo the cill screws without opening the doors but is 1/2" it really a problem or just cosmetic nicety Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH Posted March 28, 2021 Report Share Posted March 28, 2021 1 hour ago, Pete Lewis said: its so you can undo the cill screws without opening the doors but is 1/2" it really a problem or just cosmetic nicety Pete The doors line up nicely with rear tub. but they (it) is (near) 1/2 inch almost proud of the cill, when the cill is postioned correctly behind the tub. IF I put it in front it`s much better. If I adjust the Door to sit closer to the cill. the line with the rear tub is out!. The door itself, has only had a lower section replaced, not fully re-skinned. I am asuming that the issue could be to do with the amount of steel that had to be replaced in both tubs. Despite being extremely careful with measuring some distortion is I suppose inevitable. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68vitesse Posted March 28, 2021 Report Share Posted March 28, 2021 3 hours ago, PeteH said: Now all I need is someone to tell my why I have an 1/2" gap between the Cills and the doors.😟. With all the other shut lines looking "reasonable". Pete. You could always add steel to the bottom of the door, I cut and welded a hinge to get an acceptable, to me, line then had to thin the hinge bolt heads for clearance. There is always a knock on to altering something but a big hammer and a welder helps. Regards Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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