I need a bit of help.

In the next month I will be welding the new front panels onto SC850.... so naturally, I have been searching high and low for a diagram that shows the correct reference point locations.

I plan to have the body (on perfectly flat ground) resting on adjustable stands to get the car and the new front panels to line up properly. I have come across the following diagram which has all the measurements I am looking for..... all except for one problem.

Here is the reference pic....
http://mk1-performance-conversions.co.uk/images/vertical_drop_dia.jpg

These measurements do not start at ground level, but infact from a line that appears to be an inch or 2 above the ground - labelled as "X", or the DATUM LINE.

Firstly - Why is this line not at ground level?

Secondly - Assuming that this line is parallel to the ground (the bottom of the tyres, whatever), all I need to do is leave the wheels off to get the body closer to the ground (or in this case, to lower the datum line to ground level)..... am I right????

Hmmm.... so I wont need the subframes fitted to do all this either..... sounds promising!

Sorry, I just need other people to read and confirm this for me... I feel like it is too easy to be true. Bloody alcohol.

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[NATHAN] -- Sold everything mini related and am back in big beautiful BMWs

interesting.... got me stuffed why they did it like that.. maybe just let some air out of the wheels till measurement A & O are right.

Yes it is interesting but it seems to be the datum line is just an arbitrary thing, where ever you want it to be in fact. That is, the level surface you intend to start with. The measurements are then taken from that to set your car up. It doesn't matter where it lines up with your tyres, though you could make it too. Make sense? Let us know how you get on.

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Steve

Just replace.."X" for a Number...EG 1" + F (148.43)

god they could have use 148.5

Do you realy need X if you are dropping the shell on the ground anyway

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Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It

Because the car is not going to be that accurate! If you change the tyres the line could go up or down. When your springs settle in it could go down. So they come up with a pretend line to suit the job.

I think the presumption is that a very flat surface is hard to find so you need to make one. To do that use a string line set up just above the floor of the workshop getting it as level as you can and then reference the car off that. You can buy special string at Bunnies or your local hardware store for this. It is very strong and can be stretched really tight to get it dead straight. A laser level could also be used but Minis were never built that well!

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Chris

Everything I like is either
illegal, immoral or fattening.

agreed..... I'd take the F measurement down to Datum, and work up from there. So measure from the sill down 148.43mm (or thereabouts ) and make that your constant point - put the car that far from the floor, then the floor is your Datum

its so much easier to understand after sleeping and sobering up a bit.....

Okay then.... will hopefully tackle this in the next couple weeks (good weather and level concrete permitting)

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[NATHAN] -- Sold everything mini related and am back in big beautiful BMWs