Joe Curry wrote:
> Peter,
> My assumption is that it is a question of balance. I have seen 4WD
> applications where the drive shafts are not centered, but the engine
> still is. With the single drive situation that exists in all the
> Triumph sports cars (TR series and Spit/GT6's) it is easiest to keep all
> the drive components in a straight line. This may be for purposes of
> balance, but also to make it easier to place the steering wheel on
> whichever side is necessary.
>
> Joe
>
> Peter Zaborski wrote:
> >
> > > From: Power British Performance Parts, Inc.
> > > [mailto:britcars@powerbritish.com]
> > >
> > > The crankshaft must be in the center of the car
> >
> > Why is this? On a transverse engined car this is not the case. Is it because
> > the driveline normally passes through the center of a car (for front engine
> > rear drive cars)? Or is there some other reason for the center location of
> > the crank? And if it the driveline reason, is there anything preventing a
> > car from having this stuff off center? If the weight difference was
> > compensated for with other equipment to distribute the side to side weight
> > evenly?
> >
> > Not a flame Brian, just curious.
> >
> > --- Peter Zaborski CF58310UO ---
O.K., I'll throw another wrench in here. If you look at a rear axle (either
solid
axle or IRS), the pumpkin itself is centered, but the pinion is offset toward
the
passenger's side by about an inch or so. However, the crank and gearbox are
centered
in the chassis!
There really is no loss/gain by doing this. The only reason to keep everything
centered is so both driver and passenger have equal space in which to sit.
There's
plenty of room to have the block slightly off center, and the weight is very
close to
the center line, so balance isn't dramatically compromised.
Interestingly, in UK form (i.e. right hand drive) the engine offset to the left
counteracts the steering gear and the associated weight of the column, pedals,
booster, etc. So maybe the engineers weren't that crazy after all, we're just
driving
on the wrong side of the road! ;-)
Cheers!
Brian Schlorff '61 TR-4 '64 TR-4 '72 TR-6 '79 Spit
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