[Healeys] Fw: Re: Working on door gaps

[Martin Jansen]

In a stationary situation  the loading of a chassis is longitudinal .
If you are thinking of your superstructure
 as a team, it is imperative that
you understand who you are playing against. You are playing against a team
called Torsional Stress Loads. Their team members include #34- Pot Hole, #28-
Railway tracks, #17, Cornering, #12-
 Engine torque, #76 Braking, #36 Truck
rut, #42 Curb side and the quarter back- Suspension Loading. The previous
owner has encountered this team many times and lost as did many others. Even
with new players- new parts that are following the old rules  the team is
still going to loose. You must understand the rules of the game before you
start.
The Austin Healey chassis lacks torsional rigidity.   When a Healey is started
and driven the loading of a chassis changes to 90% torsional - 10%
longitudinal, give or take.
The Austin Healey is a ladder design also known as the poorest design for road
handling. the reason for this is it lacks  torsional stiffness. Just because
it superstructure is welded to the chassis it is now referenced as a
monocoque  design but it does not offer the advantages of a monocoque design.
A
 monococque design utilizes heavy stampings boxed & trianglization also
utilizing roof  panels for  rigidity.
It
 is mostly torsional loading that will effect your door gap. You must start
with a strong foundation which will keep all components in place. Welding a
piece of metal between two C sections on the main rail will not create a
rigid  chassis.

Happy Healeying,   Marty  www.jule-enterprises.com