SP250 steering rack

[Feathers]

Hello

I want to convert my Daimler sp250 to rack and pinion and want to know witch rack to get. My car is RHD.
Will https://www.ebay.com/itm/HIGH-RATIO-STEE ... t-&vxp=mtr work or would another one work easier?

Thanks
John

 

[DART]

I think the TR rack is most commonly used. Check the videos Leno posted to see if he says what he used. The conversion sits on the top of my list of needed improvements to make trips less stressful. 2nd on the list is 5-speed!

 

[DART]

John- Does the name Ben Erway ring a bell??

 

[Feathers]

John- Does the name Ben Erway ring a bell??

There is a lot of bells going off in my head.
I don't think Ben Erway is ringing one.
Who is he? Should I know him?

 

[Feathers]

I think the TR rack is most commonly used. Check the videos Leno posted to see if he says what he used. The conversion sits on the top of my list of needed improvements to make trips less stressful. 2nd on the list is 5-speed!

The rack is going to happen wile I have the body off.
What is involved with doing a 5 speed and what will it get me?

Thanks
John

 

[DART]

Ben lives in Horsehead, goes by Banjo here on the BCF. He had emailed me about someone at his new job who just bought an SP from someone moving to FL. And since you are in NY also...
5-speed gives you synchro in 1st and much better rpm at highway speeds. Again, look at Leno's videos on his SP restoration.

 

[Feathers]

Ben lives in Horsehead, goes by Banjo here on the BCF. He had emailed me about someone at his new job who just bought an SP from someone moving to FL. And since you are in NY also...
5-speed gives you synchro in 1st and much better rpm at highway speeds. Again, look at Leno's videos on his SP restoration.

I bought mine out of Niverville Canada about a month ago and imported it into the US. Interesting trip.

What 5 speed did you go with? That would be easier with the body off also.
Thanks
John

 

[DART]

I used a Toyota W54 unit I bought on eBay from a yard in CA. Biggest (huge!) issue was in getting the bell housing. Ordered from AU and it took them 3 tries and 9 months to get it right. The tranny that Leno used is now trending up, but I don't know what the bell conversion is like.
As long as you are making changes, I would suggest an alternator, hazard flashers, transistorized fuel pump, Pertronix, halogen headlights, and dual electric fans to replace the engine fan you lose on the rack conversion.

 

[Feathers]

I used a Toyota W54 unit I bought on eBay from a yard in CA. Biggest (huge!) issue was in getting the bell housing. Ordered from AU and it took them 3 tries and 9 months to get it right. The tranny that Leno used is now trending up, but I don't know what the bell conversion is like.
As long as you are making changes, I would suggest an alternator, hazard flashers, transistorized fuel pump, Pertronix, halogen headlights, and dual electric fans to replace the engine fan you lose on the rack conversion.

Thanks for the info.

Alternator is a must, hazard flashers, transistorized fuel pump are going in. I will research the Pertronix ignition that seems like a good upgrade. I think it came with the halogen headlights. I have not seen dual fans but will look into that also.

John

 

[Feathers]

Hello
I have a Spitfire rack and tie rod ends coming.
I have to get a wheel, column, (2) u-joints and (2) rods to complete, I think.
Would anyone have a supplier or parts list for the rest of my installation?
It seems pretty straight forward but prior experience would avoid buying the wrong ones.
Thanks
John

 

[DART]

I will look at invoices to see if I can help. BTW, the Pertronix is the same one for the 8-cyl RR. With the conversion, you can put turn signal and headlight stalks on the column.

 

[Feathers]

I will look at invoices to see if I can help. BTW, the Pertronix is the same one for the 8-cyl RR. With the conversion, you can put turn signal and headlight stalks on the column.

That would be great.
I would like the turn signal in the wheel like the original, if that is possible, I think it is.

Many Thanks
John

 

[alfa33047]

Hi, I built my own adapter and installed a Toyota 5 speed transmission in my SP250. I sawed off the bell housing of my good SP250 transmission and made a plate that would bolt onto my Toyota W58 trans and then welded the plate to my bell housing. I use the Daimler cross shaft, Daimler preasure plate, 84 Toyota Celica clutch disc. You would have to make a new pilot bushing and also Toyota tailshaft going out of the rear of the transmission that would bolt onto your Daimler driveshaft. The rear tailshaft mount would also have to be made and there are a couple of other little items that would have to be addressed. I have picture of all this and my rolling chassis with the rack and pinion steering from a TR-6 bolted to the chassis. I also stiffened up the rear of the chassis as it flexed when it was jacked up on one corner and I added another K brace cross member to the middle of the chassis to take the flex out. Call if you have any questions, Bill Close, (602)524-5351

 

[DART]

I am impressed. Not having those skills, and using a resto shop that had never done a SP, ordering one from AU was the only solution we saw. I really like the rpm/mph in 5th on the highway; find that if I can keep at a minimum of 2,000 on fairly flat roads it runs smoothly and I get above 25mpg.

 

[bob67bgt]

If you are staying RHD then a RHD rack is needed if mounted in front of the suspension. I think if you just flip a LHD rack over the car will steer left when you turn right. That would be tough to get used to. Getting a steering rack from a old mini or Austin Marina LHD should work. They are mounted behind the engine and turn the wheels from the back side. Flipping that rack should work for RHD mounted in front of the engine. Now this is all from memory a lot of years ago. Research before installing a rack conversion on a RHD Daimler. I hope this helps . Bob

 

[Feathers]

Hi, I built my own adapter and installed a Toyota 5 speed transmission in my SP250. I sawed off the bell housing of my good SP250 transmission and made a plate that would bolt onto my Toyota W58 trans and then welded the plate to my bell housing. I use the Daimler cross shaft, Daimler preasure plate, 84 Toyota Celica clutch disc. You would have to make a new pilot bushing and also Toyota tailshaft going out of the rear of the transmission that would bolt onto your Daimler driveshaft. The rear tailshaft mount would also have to be made and there are a couple of other little items that would have to be addressed. I have picture of all this and my rolling chassis with the rack and pinion steering from a TR-6 bolted to the chassis. I also stiffened up the rear of the chassis as it flexed when it was jacked up on one corner and I added another K brace cross member to the middle of the chassis to take the flex out. Call if you have any questions, Bill Close, (602)524-5351

Hello Bill

I haven't look at this forum in a wile. I finally got the body off the frame so I can recondition the frame. I have a new RHD spitfire rack. a TR3 steering column and wheel. I want to get that installed. I have bracket plans from Wilf across the pond and John Carey sent me his drawings. I am going to mock Johns up with wood and use the info that Wilfs came with to locate it and see how it looks. The only thing I need is a couple u joints and a rod. I bought a w58 gear box and the kit from Conversion Components. It is supposed to be bolt on, so time will tell. I will give a call. I answered your PM before looking here so please feel free to call or email.

Thanks
John

 

[Feathers]

I am impressed. Not having those skills, and using a resto shop that had never done a SP, ordering one from AU was the only solution we saw. I really like the rpm/mph in 5th on the highway; find that if I can keep at a minimum of 2,000 on fairly flat roads it runs smoothly and I get above 25mpg.

Me Too.

 

[DART]

BTW, the national North American Daimler/Lanchester club (DLOC-NA) is meeting next weekend in Corning. We will participate in the Watkins Glen GP Festivalon Friday (Concorso Speciale at 4th & Franklin) and do a driving tour to Knapp Winery & Curtiss Museum on Sat. We'd be more than happy to have you join in, come by to look at cars, &/or drive whatever you want in the rain on Sat. Just let me know to look for you. Mine looks like this file:///Users/dalewright/Desktop/DSC09339.JPG

 

[Feathers]

BTW, the national North American Daimler/Lanchester club (DLOC-NA) is meeting next weekend in Corning. We will participate in the Watkins Glen GP Festivalon Friday (Concorso Speciale at 4th & Franklin) and do a driving tour to Knapp Winery & Curtiss Museum on Sat. We'd be more than happy to have you join in, come by to look at cars, &/or drive whatever you want in the rain on Sat. Just let me know to look for you. Mine looks like this file:///Users/dalewright/Desktop/DSC09339.JPG

I would love to come. What days? I am going to a Bass Tournament on the 14th.