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Lack of engine steady - the effects of ???

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 1:25 pm
by Orkney
Just noticed scabby doesnt have one !
The heavy duty bracket is right there on the bulkhead crossmember, looks lik its never been used.
Engine is a recon & unleaded headdone by last owner 10k miles ago and the engine doesnt have the bracket but there is the stud which assumedly takes it.

I can make one no problem, just optomistically wondering if that might be something to do with the gearbox not being anywhere near as good as it ought to be ? (wont go down into second on the move even with a DDC)

Probably a bit optomistic to expct a miracle, but nonetheless got me to thinking well what are they there for excet i guess to save sideways wear on the engine mounts?

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 1:28 pm
by bigginger
Helps prevent clutch wind up too, so less wear and tear on the drive train
a

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 2:42 pm
by bmcecosse
Usually lots of engine shake - and rough clutch action without the steady!

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 2:47 pm
by Packedup
Spridgets don't have them (at least, mine doesn't, but there's a lot mine doesn't have..), and have the same engine and box mounting points/ rubbers.

That's not to say I don't feel the engine flapping around and don't think things wouldn't be massively improved with a steady bolted to the block.

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 2:56 pm
by bmcecosse
Aye - but Spridgets don't have the mechanical clutch connection - and on the Minor when the engine moves - it tends to affect the clutch action.

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 3:32 pm
by Packedup
True, I'd forgotten about that!

Though the engine flapping about in the breeze effect is still an issue.

So however you look at it, a steady bar is a good thing :)

At least not having one doesn't involve the carb smacking the bulkhead, like it does on a Mini. I once broke the jet clean off the bottom of an HS4 when the top steady gave up...

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 3:55 pm
by bmcecosse
Yes - been there/done that - only it was a twin SU set!! So twice the damage. And it did have a steady - but the car was being used for autocross.