Engine stay tension

[SilentUnicorn]

Hi all.
79 midget. how tight should the tension cable be that runs from the transmission crossmember to the lower bell housing bolt on the passenger side? cant seem to find much mention of this any my manuals.

 

[Dave Russell]

SU,
I don't have the slightest idea. Apparently no one else knows either.
D

 

[Guest]

I'm not familiar with that Midget, but sounds like a place they would put a ground strap. But it wouldn't have tension on it purposely.

 

[SilentUnicorn]

lol...knew this was a tuff one...this is no ground strap. wire rope with an adjustment screw(finthread) crimped on one end, on the other is a flat bracketthat bolts to the lower corner of the bell housingthe *rope( is allowed to spin in this bracket(about 1.5x1) by means that this end has a soldered on ball. the other end is threaded in to the crossmember near the lower gearbox mount.

it apears to help transmit engine torque, by redusing engine twist. just curious if the proper tension is dialed in or if there was a spec on it.

make any sense?

 

[Dave Russell]

I'll take a guess;

I think that it might be some sort of aftermarket addition. As you say, probably intended to limit engine torque movement.

I have seen similar limit straps, cables, & such on race cars. They are used mostly to prevent breaking the engine mounts. It should be set to limit drastic torque movement of the engine but not very tight. Probably allow the engine to twist over about 1/2 inch. Too tight & it will transmit constant engine vibration to the body.

I think that some LBC's have rubber bushed tie rods that do a similar thing.
D

 

[SilentUnicorn]

ok...that makes sense. i have neen running kinda loose. car seemed to be somewhat lacking when taking off (with gusto) froam a dead stop. last night i tightened it considerably.made a large improvement in that department. but the vibration level is incorrect. will adjust it in the morning to a lighter setting,
looking at it. my gut feeling is it is oem, but hard to tell. the threaded end is screwed in to a blind hole on the crossmember and looks like it is not an add on .

Hey thanx for the input

 

[Larry Kronemeyer]

This cable is part of the crash direction control. It doesn't have to be tight, keep taut enough not to vibrate or rattle.
Larry

 

[aeronca65t]

One of my friends had a 1500 Midget at his shop with a cracked (in half) trans. He claimed that this was caused by the removal of this part.
I haven't seen any info on this cable either...no info in my workshop manual. In my times trials cars, I run it "just tight" (about 20 ft. lbs, I'd say).
I doubt if it would affect performance in any way (even if left off). Since the engine and trans in these cars were never intended for each other, I assume it's a band-aid solution used to strengthen things.
Do Spits with the same engine/trans combo use these?

 

[SilentUnicorn]

Larry,
Crash Direction Control...(?) Interestring phrase. I take it to mean it keeps the engine where it belongs during a crash?

Aeroncat, dont know about spitfires.


well tighteng the cable definetly takes tourque twist out of the engine, and too loose seems to make the car kinda sluggish . Too tight and i am getting some nasty vibration. i will find a happy medium for sure.

Wll looks like a great top down day out there. at least in the northeast. check back later...thanx

 

[William]

It's definitely an OEM thing-I remember seeing that cable under my '76 Midget when poking around underneath. Since I never got as far as removing the engine I've no idea how tight it should be. Naturally, it has to come off when you pull the motor, so its odd that there's no torque spec for it.
-William

 

[tony barnhill]

On the few Midgets I've parted out that have it, its tight but doesn't seem to be under stress....most of them come apart pretty easily due to oil, etc coating them

 

[Larry Kronemeyer]

During a collision it is to help as a guide to the direction of the tranny and engine ( keep out of your lap). Don't know precise tightening specs, but do remember wasn,t too tight and not too loose.
Larry

 

[Guest]

Crash protection? That's interesting. I suspect it is there to prevent the engine from traveling forward on hard braking in the event of engine mount failure. Some B;s had the same thing, before MG made a replacement from steel plate and rod

 

[tony barnhill]

Gerry....I'm with you, they're just tiny things & only seem to work in one direction

[ 07-20-2003: Message edited by: tony barnhill ]</p>

 

[SilentUnicorn]

well i found a happy medium..Dave Russel was right on the money..cable should be snug , but not tight. too tight and some very nasty vibrations occur, to loose and and a loss of tourque will occur.

Thanx all

Mark

 

[Gary Lloyd]

My 'B had it and I removed it!! Was that bad????