Westfield Elevens

And again,

one of my annoying questions.....

Can anybody measure the front track of the eleven?
Am making my hubs and read different numbers on the internet.

Further,
Noticed the difference in wheelbase of the westfield from the lotus eleven 90" compared to 85" for the lotus.
Bodywise westfield have made the doors longer?

Many thanks Cor

I have used the figure in ortenbergers book of 3ft 10 1/2 inches when building mine, with the wheels on this looks fine, i have used 13 in wheels, and to get this ive used a triumph spitfire wire wheel hub adaptor on the triumph upright, with a spitfire wire wheel, this gives a track of about 3 ft 11 inches.

I dont know where westfield make up the extra 5 inches, i have a westfield xi door and just measured it, it is 1 inch longer than my 'copy xi' door.

Ben

The size of the door depends upon which door you are measuring. One is about an inch longer than the other on my series 2 car.

46.25" on mine, centre of tyre to centre of tyre. I have steel wheel hubs on mine. So witin 1/4" of Beng4's number. Well within Westfield tolerance!

If you are trying to figure the track, understand that the track depends on not only the hubs, but the wheels as well. Different offsets, back side spacing or wheel width will change the track.

If you find that there is a difference by as much as an inch, it is not in the chassis, it is in the wheel choice, or the hub. Wire wheel cars can have a narrower track, depending on which wheel is chosen. Wire wheels and the alloy wheels are available in different widths and back side spacings.

What you want to do is to start with the standard spindle and hub, taking your measurements from there. Once you have the proper hub, you can then work on your wheels, taking care to make sure that you have enough backside space and inside space for your brakes, and that the center of the wheel is in a position that wont over stress the bearings, or screw up your steering geometry/scrub radius. Generally, moving the wheels outwards causes problems in scrub radius, steering feel and return.

If you keep the center of the rim at about the same place as the 5" wide 13" minilites, or the wire wheels using the back side spacing of the 5" wide, 13" Spridget wire wheel, everything will be fine. Or, if you are fitting wire wheels, use the wire wheel hub on the front, and not an adapter. With the wire wheel hub, and a standard 5" wide wheel, the front track will be narrower than the minilite setup by about 1 1/8". Wire wheels in the rear require bolt on hub adapters if you are using a stock disc wheel rear end, or Peter May wire wheel axles for a disc wheel rear end. If you have a wire wheel rear end, then you have the narrow axle housing, and no problems. Note that here is room to widen the rear track substantially (by 2") if you have a wire wheel rear axle, making available wheels as wide as 6" possible. You can run wider rims in the rear with the wider disc wheel axle, but you have to be careful that your 500X15 tires don't hit the rear trailing arms, or the shear plates on the new chassis. This should not be a problem with wheels that have an 87 to 95mm backside spacing.

Note that with 72 spoke wire wheels, you will have to relieve the brake caliper a little to clear the larger hub.

Anyway, the measurement taken from my two W11 chassis. One very old, one very new:

44 1/2" for my new chassis, RHD car, fitted with 15X5" 72 spoke wire wheels with an 87mm backside space. Hubs are new Spridget wire wheel hubs fitted with taper wheel bearings. Essentially stock Spridget front end, with wire wheels from an MG A or an early Healey. Rear track (wire wheel axle) is wider using center laced Triumph TR6/250 wheels with a 5 1/2" width.

45 5/8" for my early production car (W11 129) with 13" minilites.

The type of hub (wire wheel spline drive or disc wheel/4 stud) makes a difference in the track, along with the wheel selection.

Now, I bet you are REALLY confused. I was surprised by the difference. Anyway, more clearance within the front body work, so it is all good. I figured that the wire wheel car would be wider. 'Figured wrong, so it seems.

As you can see, there should be no problem fitting wire wheels if you use the correct hubs.

What can i say.....

the knowledge and willingness to share this is unrivalled on this forum!!

Thanks Cor

Hi Cor,

I noticed in the memberlist that you are living not far from my place.
So if you need to take measurements you can use my car.
Just send me a PM.....

René

hi René,

I live in Uden and I went to see Cor for a coffee and a chat last Saterday. That is a lot of Eleven fans in 1 small area isn't it?

Jack

alleggerita wrote:
>
> I live in Uden and I went to see Cor for a coffee and a chat last Saterday.
> That is a lot of Eleven fans in 1 small area isn't it?




Could be a local virus outbreak, or the fertile soil here.......

Wouldn't it be a nice idea to have a "coffee 'N chat" for three some day soon?

René

Would be a good run out for some of the UK crew too. Where exactly are you guys?