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computer chassis alignment

Discussion in '206/246' started by dignini, Jun 25, 2006.

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  1. dignini

    dignini Formula 3

    Aug 21, 2005
    1,348
    NJ
    Full Name:
    Luigi Marazzi
    #1 dignini, Jun 25, 2006
    Has anyone used computer chassis alignment machines on a dino...not sure what they are actually called, you know the ones used to pull crashed cars back into shape.
     
  2. dignini

    dignini Formula 3

    Aug 21, 2005
    1,348
    NJ
    Full Name:
    Luigi Marazzi
    #2 dignini, Jun 26, 2006
    Just tried searching the forum, no previous discussion on this subject that I could find. So what happens if a dino gets bent, is it fixed using a tape measure? I'm sure there are very few body mules or jigs around.
     
  3. andrewg

    andrewg F1 Rookie
    BANNED

    Sep 10, 2002
    4,667
    Chester, England
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    AndrewG
    #3 andrewg, Jun 26, 2006
    Have a word with Kev from mototechnique aka telaio on here, he's got a great computerised jig / measuring station in his workshop
     
  4. dignini

    dignini Formula 3

    Aug 21, 2005
    1,348
    NJ
    Full Name:
    Luigi Marazzi
    #4 dignini, Jun 26, 2006
    I was really wondering if one took a dino chassis to a body shop equipped with a computerised press or whatever its called, could chassis data be input and verified. I know the body panels were all over the place and no two are alike etc. etc. But what about chassis and suspension setups?
     
  5. John Corbani

    John Corbani Formula 3
    Honorary Owner

    May 5, 2005
    1,153
    Santa Barbara, CA
    Full Name:
    John Corbani
    #5 John Corbani, Jun 26, 2006
    Damn fool lady backed up on to the hood of my Dino. She was first in line waiting to get out of a Von's parking lot. I was unfortunate to be second. She got tired of waiting for an opening in traffic and decided to back up, turn around and try another exit. Had a new fool high assed car with no visibility. Never saw me. Was in a hurry so really gunned it. I just sat there dumbfounded as her bumper rode half way up the hood. I got out and said "Lady, do you know what you just did?" She jumped on me for being so low and invisible. Her insurance company never said a word. Anderson Brothers in Goleta, CA put the car on their strong table and pulled everything back where it belonged. Chassis never moved and most of the front body moved as a unit, pivoting just in front of the windshield. The light members supporting the body had colapsed and were slowly straightened. Area around radiator took a lot of hand work but all support members survived and look pretty good now. My choice of a Ford color paid off. Paint match with rear of car was right on.

    Guys with a lot of hydraulic tools can do magic. And they did! Slower is much better than free hand with a big hammer. Amazing that nothing happened to chassis or suspension. Alignment stayed right on. Lucky! Or something!

    John
     
  6. dignini

    dignini Formula 3

    Aug 21, 2005
    1,348
    NJ
    Full Name:
    Luigi Marazzi
    #6 dignini, Jun 26, 2006
    Did they eyeball it or did you give them actual data for the Dino?
     
  7. John Corbani

    John Corbani Formula 3
    Honorary Owner

    May 5, 2005
    1,153
    Santa Barbara, CA
    Full Name:
    John Corbani
    #7 John Corbani, Jun 27, 2006
    They measured as they went and got both sides pretty close. The two fenders varied as much as 1/4 inch at various points. It looked like there was a fair amount of hand work when the body was initially attached to the frame. The stories that Fiat could not build the cars is probably true. It would be fun to run a few cars through a coordinate machine to see how close each panel is to another. I do know that left and right sides are subtly different. The frame, on the other hand looks like it was welded in a jig and is amazingly stout. It has been fun watching Jon take his down to basic steel. Wonder if he will try to blueprint it now that everything is exposed. Love to have a 3-D data base of the car.

    John
     

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