Brabham BT40

[Bryan Miller]

Colin,

It seems that your car was updated with 4 pot calipers on the front as well as my BT40-18 ex Chuck Dietrich , original ex factory was solid front and rear discs with Girling A.R 2.0'' front calipers and Girling D12R 1.687'' rears.
Observations suggest that some cars were upgraded by fitting 4 piston fronts on solid discs and transferring the front 2.0 '' calipers to the rear .

Shocks , Armstrongs can be repaired by some people [ if you can find someone] if they are the large knob type however the screwdriver slot adjustable seem to be non repairable.
Best replacement is Koni steel body , these are the same as fitted to all sorts of cars in the 1970s and can be obtained brand new.

Is your dry sump tank behind the drivers seat [ should be] why did you require a new one ?
The factory one is a beautifully made high strength alloy unit.

Bryan Miller.

[Collin Jackson]

Bryan

Yes I have solid rotors front and back with the calipers as you mentioned.
This was definitely done at the factory.
My Armstrong shocks are the screw driver style.
I remade the tank as it was leaking badly from the seals for the moumting bolt. The long mounting bolt goes directly through the oil tank and uses rubber seals for a seal. Did not like the idea of sitting in a pool of hot oil.
Collin

[Bryan Miller]

Colin,

My car has come with old style Spax which appear quite serviceable so I will use
those initially .
Bryan.

[Collin Jackson]

Tube #37
I am going to have some shocks made up special for the car to be period correct.
Just got my BDA engine rebuilt at 213HP and re-did the original Hewland.
Waiting on rebuilting the uprights before I can start final assembly.

Collin
From Canada

[Collin Jackson]

Currently putting my car together.
Entire tube is assembled with the drive line able to run.
Waiting on hubs and some nickle plated parts, plus a Cr. Moly nose frame.
Then onto the shocks and the rear wing.

I hope the picture I attached worked

[Collin Jackson]

Unfortunately we lost a great BT40 driver in Ron Householder last week. He died of ALS. Ron ran his BT40 (#37) from 1974 thru 1978 in various Club races as well as the Western races of the Player's Atlantic Series in Canada.
Ron lived in Portland Oregon and raced Formula B/Atlantic from 1970 thru 2011 in various cars (Lotus 2012, BT29, BT40, March77B, Ralt RT4, Swift DB4). God Speed Ron you will be missed by your many freinds.

[Collin Jackson]

Has anyone speced out a steel bofied Koni shock for this car?
I need a set and the specs would help a ton.
My car has 150 & 300 pound springs, was this the factory rates?
Collin J

[Chris Townsend]

Originally Posted by Collin Jackson

Unfortunately we lost a great BT40 driver in Ron Householder last week. He died of ALS. Ron ran his BT40 (#37) from 1974 thru 1978 in various Club races as well as the Western races of the Player's Atlantic Series in Canada.
Ron lived in Portland Oregon and raced Formula B/Atlantic from 1970 thru 2011 in various cars (Lotus 2012, BT29, BT40, March77B, Ralt RT4, Swift DB4). God Speed Ron you will be missed by your many freinds.

Really sorry to hear that. Corresponded with Ron several times about his cars, and he was always helpful and friendly. RIP Ron.

Chris

[Bryan Miller]

Colin,

My condolences to the family .

Springs and shocks .

I have a Brabham Users newsletter from years ago which suggests ex factory the cars were fitted with 100lb front and 140 rear which was not satisfactory and most upped the rates about 30% , so 130lb front and 180lb rear .

My car came with nickel plated period springs of 170lb fronts and non period rears of 350lb so to start I will use the 170lb fronts and fit some 225/250 rears .
I use 185lb front and 225 rear on my BT35 F2/Atlantic .

Shocks , somehow get in touch with Phil Harris , was/is the guru for Koni's in the USA , he spends his time these days between the USA and Australia , as I write he is I believe back in the US , he runs a Brabham BT23C which is here at the moment and he is the man for Koni's on these cars , tell him I advised you contact Phil.

Bryan Miller.

[Collin Jackson]

Bryan

Thanks for the comment on Ron, he was an important part of my life.
He gave me the car in 2011 when he realized he was sick. He wanted the car with me as I crewed on it for many years for him. As you can see we were very close.
As a result I am determined to get her not only finished, but vintage racing at the speeds she deserves. Fortunately there is a great group of 70's vintage Atlantic cars right now on the west coast of the USA.

Appreciate the contact info for Koni!

Collin J