2012
Thought I’d get the engine bay rear cross-member back in. Normally it’s a fairly weedy looking - though probably pretty strong in fact - bit of top hat section of steel. I had to remove it in order to fit the Zetec sump. I’d left stubs either side of the engine bay thinking that I’d either refit the original, or make a removable one, at some stage. However it soon became clear that because the sump is so close to it that a removable cross-member would probably make things easier – especially if I ever need to drop the sump or remove the engine at a later date.
I’ve used a length of square section steel (part of an old engine stand I was given) which, with a bit of tickling with the angle-grinder, fitted inside the stubs of the original cross-member. I’ve cut it to fit between the main chassis members but left overhangs each side. I’ve drilled through the stubs, & the square section, & put M10 bolts through to secure the square section to the stubs. Since the photos were taken I’ve drilled up through each of the overhangs, & chassis rails, & put another M10 bolt through. So it’s secured by both horizontal & vertical M0 bolts. I’m not sure I’ve described that very well but hopefully you can see what I mean from the photos.
I’ve no idea if it’s as strong as, or maybe even stronger than, the original - & some of the drilling isn’t brilliant (space was tight with the underneath of the car just above your nose which made drilling, even with a right angle drill, anything but easy) – but I feel happier with it there. Of course it all needs to come out again so that I can paint it!
Last edited by pauluspaolo; Apr 25, 2012 at 02:05 PM.