Once I saw an Alfa clutch explode on the start finish straight at Laguna
Seca. Pieces fo the clutch were deflected off of the surface of the track
and came up through the floor of the car. Greg Solow
-----Original Message-----
From: R. John Lye <rjl6n@virginia.edu>
To: Barr, Scott <sbarr@mccarty-law.com>; 'Mark J Bradakis' <mjb@cs.utah.edu>
Cc: 'fot@autox.team.net' <fot@autox.team.net>
Date: Monday, March 08, 1999 12:48 PM
Subject: RE: Exploding flywheels (was GT6 suspension uprights)
>At 01:38 PM 3/8/99 -0600, Barr, Scott wrote:
>>Ok, now that we're on the topic, when a flywheel comes apart, where does
>>it generally go?
>
>I've only seen a few flywheels come apart, so I don't know how general
>my observations are, given the limited data set.
>
>>Does the flywheel shrapnel move outward in the plane
>>of the flywheel's orientation, as my limited knowledge of physics tells
>>me it should?
>
>Yeah, pretty much - although the shrapnel's path is often deflected by
>large objects (like bellhousings, etc.) that might be in the way. The
>general path of the flying objects tends to be radial, in general.
>
>>If the flywheel is forward of the driver's feet is the
>>risk less?
>
>Hmmmmm, I suppose so, but I don't know of many cars (other than, say,
>rear engine formula cars) where some part of the driver's body is not
>in the radial path of the clutch/flywheel area.
>
>>Better safe than sorry, of course, but ...
>
>Indeed. NHRA approved scatter blankets aren't that expensive or
>heavy... (the steel scattershield in my TR-4, however, is quite
>heavy, but I don't mind too much).
>
>John Lye
>
>'59 TR-3A, '62 TR-4, '70 GT-6+
>email: rjl6n@virginia.edu
>homepage: http://avery.med.virginia.edu/~rjl6n/homepage.htm
>
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