Julian Thompson Posted October 4, 2002 Share Posted October 4, 2002 Following my posts for Peter C to answer (he and DVA did this first) - I would like to offer you guys the "chance?" to get one of the cam covers being made for me. For those who have no idea what I'm on about, the std K cam cover weighs approx 3kg and has an oil filler cap and 2 breather outputs not used in the dry sump installation. Peter's cover was 3mm Dural, but since his engine had further reinforcement in the block we decided to use a thicker setup. Tony did some homework using my VHPD cam cover as the test one, and decided he could engineer a new, flat cover from a solid 5/8" billet of HE30 Dural. This billet is to be extensively machined to give an original-esque grooved design on top, with appropriate thinning above the plug orifices and other weight saving measures. We are hoping that finished weight is going to be approx 1.5kg - saving 1.5kg and that the new item will be even stiffer than the original by virtue of its superior metal grade. I absolutely intended this to be a "one off" for me, but as indicated on my more personal post, there looks like there could be a few of you as mad as me out there! Cost is going to be less than £100, for sure. Beyond that I can't comment since the final £ depends on how many orders Tony gets. Personally I don't care how many of you want one because as I say, I wanted it purely because it could be done, but if you would like to get involved and have one of these little rascals then bang your name down here and I'll get one sorted for you. So far I have Hoopy ,Nige (V7), Count as interested nutters (If you lads definately want one then say so) Perhaps you'd like to see photos of mine first? I hope it should be done some time next week (bloody hope so because I've not driven the thing in almost 2 weeks ☹️) Edited by - Julian Thompson on 24 Oct 2002 23:00:44 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby dooby doo Posted October 4, 2002 Share Posted October 4, 2002 definitely interested, but would like to see the final pictures. HOOPY assistant thread hijacker R706KGU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robmar Posted October 5, 2002 Share Posted October 5, 2002 yep interested,, usual price caveats bla bla I have the caterham dry sump system so am guessing that I would need the breathers blobked up or not there in the first place, if you where planing to put them in Quick question tho... I have the EU3 engine that has the coils attached tp the top of plugs 1 & 3 (or is 2 &4 🤔), will the cam cover be able to cope with this? rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian Thompson Posted October 5, 2002 Author Share Posted October 5, 2002 Rob Plan was not to have any breathers on any other adornments at all on top. Great point about the coils - please take me a couple of shots and tell me where to see the pix and I can ensure the design is appropriate. Cheers Ju Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robmar Posted October 5, 2002 Share Posted October 5, 2002 Julian - will take a couple of photos and send to you next week I could do it now but am off to pub, and tomorrow is an early start to the festival so may not get around to it for a few days rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Barbie Posted October 5, 2002 Share Posted October 5, 2002 I'm up for this as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian Thompson Posted October 6, 2002 Author Share Posted October 6, 2002 Can't believe this. Bloody Sunday morning - very very sunny and nice AND.... oh dear - my cam cover seems to be in Tony's workshop. 🙆🏻 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Posted October 6, 2002 Share Posted October 6, 2002 I'm intrested as well Thanks Jason R500FUN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnty Lyons Posted October 6, 2002 Share Posted October 6, 2002 Me too ta!! jj N.I. L7C AO. Membership No.3927. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby dooby doo Posted October 6, 2002 Share Posted October 6, 2002 could it be lighter still by being thinner material but without the grooves 🤔 and see - I said iy wasn't such a mad idea as you thought - 7 people signed up so far HOOPY Today I shall be mostly wanting to go for a blat R706KGU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian Thompson Posted October 6, 2002 Author Share Posted October 6, 2002 Yup - Or maybe you lot are as mad as me!!!! But Peter did it first so that makes him worse than us 😬 Yes - it could be thinner (we could just copy PC's and have a 4mm plate or whatever but the idea was to use the fins for strength in the same way the std one uses its depth for the same rigidity. I have studied the engine carefully as a relative layman, and TBH I can't see that the strength is a problem but certainly I don't want a warped engine for the sake of 250g worth of fins!!!! Any more knowledgeable takes on the strength issue here are of course welcome...... I'm hoping to visit my engineer tomorrow to discuss the design with him. I would like it to look really nice too, as well asa being lighter and stronger...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby dooby doo Posted October 6, 2002 Share Posted October 6, 2002 ah right - gotcha. i thought the fins were purely cosmetic - if they're adding stiffness then groovy Is longitudinally the direction that needs the stiffness then most then 🤔 Just thinking aloud - if we're getting custom bits made we might as well explore the all possibilites.. HOOPY Today I shall be mostly wanting to go for a blat R706KGU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Bees Posted October 7, 2002 Share Posted October 7, 2002 If it's sub-£100 then I'm interested too, subject to seeing one. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V7 SLR Posted October 7, 2002 Share Posted October 7, 2002 Would like to see a piccy, but still interested, especially if less than 100 squid as indicated. Worcs L7 club joint AO.//Membership No. 4379//Azure Blue SLR No. 0077//Se7ens List Tours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Durrant Posted October 7, 2002 Share Posted October 7, 2002 I would also like to see a picture thanks Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan J Posted October 7, 2002 Share Posted October 7, 2002 I bought mine in '96 from Warrior Automotive Research in Uckfield, East Sussex. £85 Not sure of the thickness or weight, but i can find out tomorrow... Dan Fury 1400 K 151bhp 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian Thompson Posted October 7, 2002 Author Share Posted October 7, 2002 Love to see pix of yours Dave, thicknesses, design, weights etc as this will help us. Price no probs now that a few of us are interested. Had Tony think carefully today about strength - he would now like to make it from HE15, which is apparantly better than HE30 in terms of tensile strength and will allow a thinner plate. Not sure ref the requirement for lengthways fins ref strength, but I guess this would be weakest since it is the longest gap between sides? Basically, the plan right now is to get prototype #1 and weigh/measure/post photos etc and get feedback before adjusting the design as appropriate and commissioning Tony to make the batch of covers for us all; in the mean time I can still drive my car then because I'll have prototype #1 to use while he faffs about etc. PS if anyone has a spare cam cover for me to use in the interim I'd be grateful!! Getting withdrawal symptoms! Jue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan J Posted October 9, 2002 Share Posted October 9, 2002 Julian, Mine is 11mm thick aluminium with 1mm raised ribs (more aethetic than functional). It weighs 2.1Kgs. e-mail me off list and i'll send you a pic of it in situ. I might be able to arrange a better photo if needed - let me know. Dan Fury K series Warrior 1400 151bhp 😬 Edited by - dan j on 9 Oct 2002 10:32:51 Edited by - dan j on 9 Oct 2002 10:33:21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V7 SLR Posted October 11, 2002 Share Posted October 11, 2002 Julian, anything happening with this? Any pictures yet? Worcs L7 club joint AO.//Membership No. 4379//Azure Blue SLR No. 0077//Se7ens List Tours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian Thompson Posted October 13, 2002 Author Share Posted October 13, 2002 Not yet. Actually some work is being done with regard to laying to rest the question of strength of the standard cover by sacrificing one or two - So I'll keep you informed but sadly it won't be within a few days now. Realistically a couple of weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS CLARK Posted October 13, 2002 Share Posted October 13, 2002 Julian. The PAW concerned is not the same 'Progress Aero Works' that made/makes? diesel model aircraft engines is it? I seem to remember from my long ago youth that they were from Macclesfield. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian Thompson Posted October 13, 2002 Author Share Posted October 13, 2002 Indeed Chris. My family has known them for years, and we use them for any "mad" little idea's like this. Tony is a superb engineer, whose enthusiasm for a given project is always exceptional. He gets involved and tries to add to your input. As you will appreciate, someone like this who understands the finer points of material stress and product design from personal experience since childhood isn't easy to find and Tony is a busy man. I feel awkward pestering him but he insists it is no problem as long as we keep one point of contact. I will continue to gently pester Tony for the next week or so......... V11UFO must be up and running for Oulton Park on the 30th! - Avec cam cover! Jue Edited by - Julian Thompson on 24 Oct 2002 23:02:10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clive Posted October 14, 2002 Share Posted October 14, 2002 Mark me down as intrested in one. Anything to get rid of the oil filler cap. Edited by - clive on 14 Oct 2002 17:33:03 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatcat Posted October 14, 2002 Share Posted October 14, 2002 please include me as "interested" too... regards fc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian Thompson Posted October 14, 2002 Author Share Posted October 14, 2002 Tony has promised me a prototype by weekend - so I'll be at Oulton Park on the 30th with it and also will post some pix. Sorry for the delay in the mean time! Jue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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