Ben,before you start I'll send you a pic or two of mine. Yours sounds way too weak.
There are several tonnes of force involved here, be bloody careful!
Anyhow, if you
must make one:
1.
Use only 1/2" UNF HI TENSILE machine threaded rod and grade 5 or 8 nuts. DO NOT WELD BOLTS ETC ONTO THE END OF THE ROD- VERY DANGEROUS IF IT LETS GO...
2. The plate on the bottom needs to come out past the 2 bolts/studs, as the hole thru the subframe has no strength around it, the X-member is hollow there. Plate needs to be 1/4" or preferably 3/8" thick.
3. Use a piece of 1-1/2" or 2" pipe as a spacer, at least 3" long, with a 1/4" thick plate washer welded on top. This is to get the nut up high where you can swing a spanner. You will need a 12" shifter or equivalent..
A brass thrust washer under the nut is a good idea.
4. Weld a nut on the very top of the threaded rod- makes it easy to screw in.
5. OIL THE THREADS, and the brass washer!
6. If the rod jams and will not screw in, the thread in the cone may be rusty. Have a squiz down the hole...
99% of Oz dry suspension Minis came with the early cones with 1/2" UNF thread. If the thread will not even start they may be the later 14mm ones, but they are rare over here.
ps I can't host pics on here as my MiniPortal piccy library is full..
I've put them on Yahoo Photos and posted the links below- it might work...
http://au.f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/k_g ... pg&.src=ph
http://au.f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/k_g ... pg&.src=ph
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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.
