Horse hair

Author
Discussion

NicBowman

Original Poster:

785 posts

245 months

Tuesday 7th February 2023
quotequote all
Hi

I wondered why my Vixen had horsehair in the gearbox tunnel, but I am reliably told it beds the chassis to the body and stops it shuffling around. So needs to go back in.

Original mat soaks in water, ideal for rusting the chassis, offset by oil contamination accidentally protecting said chassis.

Modern alternative? Martrim have rubberised horsehair, 1” thick.

Anybody used this? Or other options?

Thx.


Nic

NicBowman

Original Poster:

785 posts

245 months

Tuesday 7th February 2023
quotequote all
Plus. 1/2” thick?

Nic

Moto

1,261 posts

260 months

Tuesday 7th February 2023
quotequote all
Nic, I don't recall any horsehair matting in mine. There were only the multiple layers of 6mm thick rubber pads on the 8 chassis corner plates to separate body & chassis - not necessarily the same number in each corner as they compensate for the body / chassis not being fabricated to precise tolerances.

I don't think you want the transmission tunnel touching the chassis even with matting in place. The rubber pads that the body sits on should provide sufficient lift to give chassis to transmission tunnel clearance.

I would have thought horsehair matting was more likely to be used as a sound proofing material. As you say, placing between chassis and body is always going to hold moisture. I'd be inclined to just use plenty of sound proofing inside under the carpets.

Moto

RobXjcoupe

3,313 posts

98 months

Tuesday 7th February 2023
quotequote all
Could you fit the new rubberised horse hair mat then soak it in wax oil before body to chassis?

NicBowman

Original Poster:

785 posts

245 months

Tuesday 7th February 2023
quotequote all
Hi

I thought it was a daft idea, but, I was in AS Heritage, speaking to the boss, Ash. He is superb, lots of lotuses. All his rebuilds had horsehair and he is the guy who made the point ref aligning the body to chassis. So, a trusted expert.

It does seem pretty flexible, the tub that is. When I think of it it does seem a good idea? Mine was original 1969, with horsehair. Anyone else fitted it?

Thx.

NicBowman

Original Poster:

785 posts

245 months

Wednesday 8th February 2023
quotequote all
Hi, adding to the thoughts. The rubber pads to the chassis are supporting inner and outer seating position at the rear, I.e. 2 pads inner and outer, but only one at the front, on the outside.

I have my tub hung up, it is not spectacularly rigid, I wonder if it needs inner supports at the front and historically they were done by the horsehair matting, which is defo original fitment on my car.

I recon the tub would flex across the middle if no additional chassis contact? Thoughts?

Thx.

NicBowman

Original Poster:

785 posts

245 months

Wednesday 8th February 2023
quotequote all
Hi, adding to the thoughts. The rubber pads to the chassis are supporting inner and outer seating position at the rear, I.e. 2 pads inner and outer, but only one at the front, on the outside.

I have my tub hung up, it is not spectacularly rigid, I wonder if it needs inner supports at the front and historically they were done by the horsehair matting, which is defo original fitment on my car.

I recon the tub would flex across the middle if no additional chassis contact? Thoughts?

Thx.

GTRene

17,776 posts

231 months

Wednesday 8th February 2023
quotequote all
would be great if you stick it to the chassis, on every tube/holder were the chassis could touch the body a thick layer window seal kit , so it bounds but stays flex a bit, so no water or so can get between and makes body and chassis almost as 1, only problem when it needs lifted again in 10-20 years? lol.

otherwise you can glue with window seal the pads you mentioned and on all other tubes on top stick some rubber seal strip, so you can still lift the body, and the body is also more one with the chassis without being glued to it? and causes les rub with the paint on the chassis?

just some thoughts, never done such but thinking out loud probably some stupid things :-)