Want to RTV on sunday and need advice!!!

[omara04]

Hi Guys

I'm hoping to participate in the Devon  & Cornwall LRC RTV this sunday, and I need to fit a throttle return spring. Has anyone done this before? What's required? What did you do? Where did you buy it from? Any photos? Please please help!!!

Would be most grateful on your advice.

Also, front / rear recovery points, is a steering guard with eyelets / shackles on alright, and is a rear tow hitch sufficient for the rear?

Thanks in advance!

Cheers,
Steve

[burgerman]

howdy, dunno what motor you have inside?? but basicly any secondry set up which will return the throttle linkage to shut/tickover if the cable snaps, i was lucky and had an assorted bag of such springs"that might come in usefull someday" Just for an example i run a 3.5 efi disco and all i did was pull a suitable length spring over the top of the plenum chamber and attatched one end to the allen headed bolts on the chamber , im sure if you look at it and get  a few springs it will all become very easy and clear,

   As for the recovery points om not sure what the regs say- i have jate rings front and rear (at the time of competing) and was ok with them,  

                         The only thing i had which was not allowed was a "spinner" on the steering wheel, (you know the mushroom sort of thing) for one handed operation,   Hope this helps a tad, and enjoy, I know from experience that a navigator/passenger was very usefull, even just for remembering the route :lol:

[Disco-Ron]

In front of the Injector pump (assuming diesel) there are 2 big holes in the allloy casting, i simply got a bolt, threaded it in there, and hooked a spring around it, and then drilled a small hole in the throttle arm,...... job done!!

I would have thought that the gaurd on the front should be adequate, and also the rear tow hitch, after-all, it's good enough for towing a trailer!!

[Range Rover Blues]

I agree, steeriing uard is at least as secure as most winch bumpers and the towbar will pull a combine harvester.

As for the return spring, well I guess I know why they require one but there is already one fitted surely.

[omara04]

Thanks for all your help guys.

With 4 trips to halfords, a cupboard and cabinet specialist, wickes, B&Q, and a marine chandlrey... I have fitted 2 springs to the pump, borrowed AFFF fire extinguisher (halfords only do powder ones), and had a decent rope made up from yacht grade synthetic rope, breaking strain 7 ton.

Having only passed MoT 2 weeks ago, i'm hoping they're not going to find anything else, and i've read the war and peace that is the ARC rule book. Hopefully i'll be alright!!

Thanks to disco ron and RRB, I agree - the steering guard bolts straight to the chassis so should be alright.

Finally, the only thing I can think of, and the rule books state that discs can be replaced with discs, and drums with drums, is my X-eng disc handbrake. My friend used to scrutineer for D&C LRC, and he reckons should be ok because it doesn't give me any clear advantage whilst trialling.

hopefully, I'll be replying to this thread by saying i've had a wonderful time and I'd won my class!!!  :lol:

[Bulli]

am i being stupid here but all engines have return springs as standard...or there would be loads of accidents where throttle cables broke!

[Range Rover Blues]

That was my thought too, I guess it's belt and braces, unless they think that cars have a return cable like some motorbikes instead.

[Bulli]

jsut stupid, and only on flatslides , cv's dont have return cables....flatslides...you have to learn to ride the bike again..you get much less engine braking!

[burgerman]

I cant state what the rule book says but  i believe the general rule of thumb is that if the "std" return spring" breaks there must be a secondary device fitted :?

[J.D.]

Hi Guys
Also, front / rear recovery points, is a steering guard with eyelets / shackles on alright, and is a rear tow hitch sufficient for the rear?

Thanks in advance!

Cheers,
Steve

Thats all I have on mine at the moment and the MSA are happy with that as recovery points.

[Range Rover Blues]

I cant state what the rule book says but  i believe the general rule of thumb is that if the "std" return spring" breaks there must be a secondary device fitted :?

Belt and braces, that's what I thought.

[Mudlark]

am i being stupid here but all engines have return springs as standard...or there would be loads of accidents where throttle cables broke!

I thought you did scorpion challenge events Bulli, the regs are the same for that as well.

The reason for the second spring is simply because the return spring is so light it can bounce - especially on petrols - and obviously rev the engine.

Bouncing on a roll is - or would be - quite common, hence the extra heaver spring (makes it harder to speed on the motorway as well because your ankle gets tired quickly :lol:  :lol: )

[Bulli]

Sorry Mudlark,  
If you paid attention i dont do the event i marshall em, thats why im so looking forward to you beating everyone.  :roll:
 i did a long reply but deleted it as im not about to get into handbags at dawn..its not worth the hassle.