Are the tubs ment to be flat?

[graemevw]

Just cleaned up my tub and noticed its not flat.
Took a bad pic against the wall to try and show, forgive the state of my work table!!
It doesnt seem to have ever had any impact.
I appreciate even if they are ment to be flat, its a stamped product and so wont be perfect, but this is bowed and has a slight kick up at the front.



Thanks.

[RC10resto]

Yes, it should be flat.
Many are bent

[graemevw]

Yes, it should be flat.
Many are bent

Tm not surprised. Its no problem, ill straighten it, just didnt want to do that then find out it should be like it is.

[GoMachV]

It was pretty common when racing to slap it over your knee and tweak it back flat again. Tilt it 45* and hold it to the edge of a table, keep bending and when it’s flat you are ready for your next race.

[GoMachV]

These also help

[graemevw]

I bet they do!

[RC10resto]

I have not had the best luck with the over the knee approach.
I mount the chassis nose to a wood structure and apply smooth even pressure.

[graemevw]

Ill probably do similar but ill clamp in in the vice, in some wood.

[orangemazda]

That’s exactly how I do it.

I have not had the best luck with the over the knee approach.
I mount the chassis nose to a wood structure and apply smooth even pressure.

[aakoskin]

I have checked two new/unbuilt World's re-re kits, and both have tubs that are slightly bent at the front. They are pretty much the same as on my 1986 Edinger (a car with a racing history), which would suggest it's kind of normal shape.

Wouldn't frequent straightening weaken the metal and make it prone to bend even more?

[graemevw]

I dont have much experience of these cars, but my guess is they were probably never dead flat. They will always spring a little out of the press. I guess some are better than others.

Ive straightened this one now though, just clamped in the vice between wood and pulled/pushed. It wasnt bent in one place, the whole pan was sort of cupped a little. Its pretty flat now though, maybe 1/32 of light under a straight edge at each end.

[jwscab]

Part of the issue is that you see some flex as the sides of the tub move in and out. You need to rigidly fix the sides as well when reshaping the chassis. Or just get it close and not worry about it.

[graemevw]

part of the issue is that you see some flex as the sides of the tub move in and out. you need to rigidly fix the sides as well when reshaping the chassis. Or just get it close and not worry about it.

I went for the second option