T Pull question

[Harristeamracing]

Hi all im new to this forum, im getting a Ford Fiesta ready to start racing either in tin tops or xr challenge.
As im new to motorsport completely and prepping my car myself im gonna need some technical help and hope this is the right place to get it.

For a start i have my t pulls and am wondering how everything connects together? Does anyone have a layout diagram with master switch, t pulls etc and everything else needed for safety???? Thanks

[JohnD]

Harris,
Mount the T-pull somewhere on the car. Front passenger side is usual.
Mount the cut-off switch inside the car where you can reach it easily from the strapped in position.
Run the cable from the T-pull to the switch, making sure that the pull direction is to 'OFF' (An easy mistake to make!).
Fix end of cable outer to some convenient point. If no CP, contruct a bracket.
Run wire through hole in switch arm, screw on terminal block or use the proper job to fix wire end to switch lever.
Voila!

Every car will be different. Unless anyone here can draw you pictures, or post a photo, of a Fiesta installation, that's what's needed. OR, go and look at existing race Fiestas.

You say you are new to racing. Welcome and have a really good time. You will, honest! But have you been to race meetings, and gone around the paddock to talk to the guys racing your chosen car? From your question on such a straightforward matter as the cut-off switch, I suspect you haven't. May be a bit late now, but there may be some winter meetings for Fiestas. I suggest you make a point of going, and you'll find that no one likes to talk as much as a racer who is asked about their car! Just be sure not to ask just as they are about to race!

Good luck!
John

[Al Weyman]

There is a thread on here how to wire the alternator into the switch as thats important to get right or the engine will run on even though the power is cut!

[Dom]

On my Fiesta's i have always mounted the actual cut off switch externally along side the extinguisher pull on the scuttle panel. That way there is less wiring involved (less weight!) running cables around the car, and also less change of a pull failing in the heat of the moment (or scrutineering). The switch itself is fairly weather proof and performed fine even in the monsoon conditions at Brands this weekend.

[Al Weyman]

And put a big blob of grease on them once installed to stop water ingress as they are a bugger for seizing up and usually at the track when you dont need it. thats why its best to french them into the panel if you can and fit them at 90 degrees instead of upright as water will get down the cable and rust it up.

[terence]

One point I would make is to mount any 'T' Pull on the drivers side,thats the first place a Marshal will go after an incident.

[Al Weyman]

I dont as mine is LHD. Always mounted them on the other side as thats the first place a Marshal will go after an incident........... :-)

[Harristeamracing]

Thanks for your help everyone will give it a go this weekend...

[markjtaylor]

On my Rover Vitesse, the 'cut out' switch and extinguisher switch were both mounted on top of the wing edge on the nearside. Problem was, when working on the car, overalls kept snagging these and breaking them, also as located vertically, rust and seizure!! Another racing Vitesse has his on the Post behind the back door, a much better place, clearly labelled, i relocated mine to the same place. However, scrutineers were intially not happy with this, however now accept this is OK. As others have said, put plenty of grease inside the outer cable, they seize easily, to the point that I have new spare ones in my trailer permanently, 'just in case'.

[BrendanM]

Originally Posted by terence bower

One point I would make is to mount any 'T' Pull on the drivers side,thats the first place a Marshal will go after an incident.

and don't put them too close together as (we) marshals will have big gloves on and may pull both by accident if the situation is making us hurry. Some are so buried under the bonnet / on the scuttle (esp. electric cut offs) that it is a real pain.

Good advice about checking how others have done it. It will save you thinking time and you have good assurance re: passing scrutineering (for everything from tpulls, rain light locations, tow straps etc)

and Enjoy

[Robyn Slater]

I,m currently sorting this on my anglia.I dont want to be drilling holes in the bodywork so i'm fitting my T pulls in the rear polycarb window.

[Al Weyman]

One of the guys in our club who has an Anglia and posts here has a very neat arrangement with the pulls on the front bulkhead and poking through the air intake grill.

[BJD]

On some cars it is easier to mount the actual switch under the bonnet (rather than inside the car) and running a second cable pull through to where the driver can reach it. If you have space close to the battery to make up brackets for the switch it saves running long battery cables through the bulkhead and back out again with the associated extra weight and chafing risk.

[GORDON STREETER]

As the regulations don't say what side of the battery has to have the isolator switch I have always put it on the earth side as it normally reduces loads of wiring. I also put the switch inside the car so that I can switch it off easily and is away from the weather. If you have an electrically operated fire extinguisher you have to make sure it will work when all the rest of the power is off.