Alpine 1968 Renault R8

[Adey]

A friend of mine is an absolutely excellent fabricator and engineer for a well know GTR tuning firm. Out of the scrap parts I've got kicking about he has managed to make me a tubular turbo exhaust manifold for the crossflow head. Not finished yet but here are a few pics.

 

[Steve Swan]

Very nice indeed, that's a major issue taken care of.

 

[Adey]

The Gordini camshaft has been sent to another Renault legend, Salv Sacco. He is going to convert it for use in the c2j block for me,

I should probably start looking into the fuel setup side of things soon as I don't think there will be too much left to gather up

coming along quicker than I expected

 

[Adey]

 

[Adey]

Ok I thought about the fuel tank situation after speaking with @paule78 and seeing what he has in his turbo (not for much longer) R8.

I've ordered up a universal 40ltr ali tank, fuel pump and FPR ready to feed the R5 GTT carb and be easily upgradable to EFI in the future if I so wanted.

I do think after this next round of faffing I should start work on the rusty bits that need attention.

 

[DaveL485]

what he has in his turbo (not for much longer) R8.

That setup would go nice in the back of yours Adey.

Just saying

 

[Adey]

That setup would go nice in the back of yours Adey.

Just saying

nahhh already on the crossflow thing now, I enjoy the tinkering and making things. I'm not flush enough to be buying ready built engines that are good to go

 

[Adey]

 

[Adey]

Had a few more bits arrive, getting somewhere close to having everything I need to get started

 

[Leigh5t]

This looks fun! I’m looking forward to updates.

 

[Adey]

Got out for a decent run today, good few hours bouncing around and all is well. The wife and i jumped in it early doors to head over to a big car meet (BOHO on Tour) which was on an old industrial estate next an airfield. 600+ cars in attendance and everything from a Rusty R8 to drag cars and supras, Even a few lotus' and a delorean were in attendance. Super chilled and loads to look at plus music, food and drink. Took the opportunity to try and grab some pics, a fair few coming through from the day though. After that a detour to get some ice-cream. Did me proud today but the heat and the seats defo make you sweaty!

 

[Adey]

Another ...

 

[cbx6_79]

Exited to follow your project, Adey! That engine with the 5A (5G in UK ) head and turbocharging looks very nice. In some way similair to what I had in my R8G, except I used 2 DHLA carbs. I used the stock mechanical fuel pump when the engine was not making boost. When reaching 1 psi boost, I had a switch that started an electric fuel pump. That pump held via a regulator, the fuel press 3 psi above boost press. Excessive fuel from the el pump was only sent back to the inlet side of the pump. Worked like charm for 40 years I replaced the stock radiator with an intercooler, and moved the rad to the front. Kept the original radiator mounting plate in the engine compartment. Aft of the intercooler i installed an oil cooler as it is on the R8G, but a bit bigger. Also had a fuel press gauge on the dash beside of the boost press gauge, so I could monitor. Good luck

 

[Adey]

That looks absolutely fantastic @cbx6_79 love how you made it work with the fueling side of things.

For me im future proofing the fuel system as i may go full EFI, wouldnt take much extra to swap it over (bar some expensive bits)

 

[Adey]

Ive got a decent trip in it planned for next weekend, On the French Connection stand at Retro Rides Weekend/Goodwood. I do believe a few other posters from the forum will be there too so ill try and grab lots of pics.

 

[Adey]

 

[Adey]

Cars feeling good so far. Defo better than when I eyeballed it. Getting it all ready for the trip to Goodwood for Retro Rides Weekender The new "modern" track rods end setup made it super easy to adjust.

 

[Adey]

Had a lovely drive out to Goodwood this weekend for the Retro Rides Weekender. The car was displayed in the "French Connection" area along with some other lovely machinery. The show was great and defo one of the best in the year for me.

The car was nearly faultless on its 300mile round trip. Clocking around 45 to 47mpg which was nice. Cruised lovely though I really do need to sort the wheels, I think years of skinny tyres and no give in the suspension has defo buckled a few. Cruising speed has a decent wobble, though being so light resting a hand on the wheel steadies it. Also my tracking.... yeah the car pulls left lol.

Any way we drove down on Friday night to an airbnb 30 min from Goodwood. Stopped for a bite to eat at the local Caffeine and Machine on the way there too. Up and out by 8.30 the following morning. Queue in was a bit long but I got the 360 cam out for a laugh.

What a great venue, never been to Goodwood track before (though I've been to the hill climb down the road) properly posh setting with and air field attached. Really didn't manage to get many pics of the 8 but have been tagged in a few so have copied them in. Absolutely loved it though and will defo return in the future, either for a longer stop over or in the quicker car..... 3.5/4ish hours each way is a chore

 

[Wheelers Workshop]

Hi Adey,
Nice photographs, regarding your steering pulling to the left [after you recently laser tracked it], it may possibly be the castor angle, which is adjustable on the R8 by rotating the eccentric drilled large hexagonal nut on the lower wishbone, after slacking the other 3 nuts off a little. There are tab washers as well.
The R8 workshop manual has it all dealt with and drawings as well. The idea is that the wishbone can be rotated a few degrees + or - this allows the steering arm and its ball joint on the track rod to either rise or fall in respect to a true horizontal datum line, this then adds or reduces castor angle.
Renault use a gauge that you fit into the brake pad carrier and then set a level datum for the spirit level, but experimenting by trial and error may be worth a dabble. The Hex nut has a indicator groove cut into it , so make a record of its clockface rotational position, so you can always return it to its setting position, a tippex pen is handy for this.
Cheers
Dave

 

[Adey]

caster was different side to side, i totally forgot about tweaking it tbh. Something to definitely play with next time. LHS was +8°19' RHS +7°43'