Declan
I have a couple of new J4 metalastics that I can use to confirm dimensions if you wish (I have good calipers).
Phil, Declan and others:
There is good news and not so good news.
The good news is that the Morris Major eyebolt seems to have the characteristics we are looking for (based on the samples I have to hand).
1) The fulcrum section is the same width as the Minor (within .05mm)
2) The bore of the fulcrum is bigger than the Minor (27.0mm vs 22.0mm )
3) Pivot (through the bushes) is thicker at 17.5mm vs 12.5 for the Minor
We have the choice of two sizes.
4) The OD of the bolt is the same
5) The threaded section is just a little shorter on the Major (28.0mm vs 31.2mm)
6) Big drum roll... The overall length of the bolt is 70mm vs 64.5mm for the Minor
7) The centreline of the pivot pin is offset from the shoulder of the bush housing is the same. That is, when mounted onto the chassis rail, the centreline of the pin is offset from the chassis exactly the same amount. So there will be no change in camber simply by changing to the Major bolt.
From 2) and 3), I calculate that the walls of the bush are a little thicker for the Major (or much thicker if a Minor pivot pin is used). This may mean that poly bushes will work better because of greater potential for flexure and twist within the walls.
And the bad news:
Major eyebolts won't be easy to find. Compared with Minors, very few Oz Majors were built. It is a model unique to Oz. Some have been preserved but the vast majority have been scrapped. When scrapped, Minor fans grab the front brakes (similar to the 'W' brakes), the wheels (same as the Minor but 1/2" wider, some with safety beads) and the diff (some 4.22--rare in Oz or 3.9). As far as I can deduce, eyebolts aren't something that are typically retained.
Phil
I haven't taken photos yet, but will do.
Cheers
Don
Edited on 11/12 to correct the position of the decimal points in 2) 3) and 5). I shouldn't do this stuff when I am lying in bed late at night!
