This idea has been a while in the planning. Here's how the Roadster looks with loads of room between cross tubes and crank pulley. I realise that the V8 and the 4 cylinders have the engine further forward, so a much smaller gap here.
Note the two visible holes in the chassis, which is where the towing eye fits on the nearside - but the holes are drilled both sides.
The crank pulley and alternator drive belt are very vulnerable. This next photo is take from just under the front spoiler, which is visible at the top.
I decided on 2mm aluminium sheet to fill this gap, and prepared a cardboard template. Since the chassis rails converge here it's easy to sit the aluminium plate on top of the chassis rails. It's a trapezoid, so can be slotted in.
Here's the nearside, where there's a single setscrew & bolt on the cable bracket which can be used to secure the sheet on that side. The bracket is shaped to fit around those two suspension bolts on the bottom left without disturbing them.
The offside is trickier. The brake hydraulic switch is there, as is the towing eye. You can see the two towing eye bolts plus the brake union bolt which is smaller. There are normally two spades on the switch but this was my relay/microswitch improvement, so there are four.
Initially I was going to locate the aluminium sheet under these bolts, and to that end I removed the towing eye.
It's a rough old job, and the metal loop is threaded at the end nearest the camera. It gave me chance to smarten it up, but in the end, I decided to cut a slot in the aluminium plate so this ensemble isn't disturbed.
More to follow>>>>>>>>>>>
