Red SLR Posted February 21, 2001 Share Posted February 21, 2001 Can anybody give me advice on X Flow engines? What problems etc are common. Also any advice on Webber DCOE 40's. Any common probs. Thanks Simon. X777CAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierson Broome Posted February 22, 2001 Share Posted February 22, 2001 Think you're going to need to be more specific, Simon - what kind of advice on what aspect of the Cross-Flow? From my own experience, 40's need to be well balanced and getting a 'good' pair is a pretty hit and miss affair. I've been told that Caterham-supplied 40's have in the past been modified to suit the characteristics of an easier-breathing x/f - & sometimes less than succesfully (info. ex. James Whiting). Mine don't go out of balance &/or tune too often, but I'm also told I'm lucky - others find this a big issue. They must all be choked and jetted by someone who really knows what they're doing to get the best from the Carbs. and the engine. The 'standard' 135bhp Supersprint ex. Caterham doesn't seem to last longer than 15-20k miles before needing attention, but is still basically a sound engine. For all the in's and out's on the x/f, I'd always recommend Roger King (he's often on this board) - what he doesn't know about this engine 'aint worth knowing. With a thick-wall 711M block and a properly-built (steel internals) x/f + all the best bits like double valve springs, Cosworth crank, forged pistons, 244 or 254 cam, bronze valve guides, etc., etc. the x/f, for all the jibes about it's age, can still easilly manage 7,500rpm and 170(+?)bhp without being 'peaky' or needing to be constantly driven on the cam. Add 3-D mapping and it'll return 28-30mpg, too, I'm told, complete with much better partial-throttle response and increased performance. OK, it's not the lightest engine - but Roger can fix that too, with an alloy block (HOW MUCH, Rog?!) - and it's perceived as old, smokey, noisy and smelly. But it's a doddle to work on, cheap(-ish) to repair and a good one still manages to cane the K's [dons Nomex.....]!! The head can be modified to accept hardened seats, allowing the engine to run safely on unleaded (even ones with large inserts - ask Roger) + IMHO, the Ford heritage maintains a Caterham/Lotus link to the past. Maybe you don't care about this, other do. Bottom line - speak with Roger. He's forgotten more than I'll ever know about the x/f. Pierson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R2D2 Posted February 22, 2001 Share Posted February 22, 2001 I recently bought a new pair of Webers for my Twin Cam Seven 45DCOE152 and I am quite disappointed by the overall fit and finish. The chokes are very badly made and have a very poor surface finish and are a rattle fit in the body, the auxilliary venturis are even worse. The choke/ventuti does not centralise in the body correctly and I understand from a few people that the number of progression drillings have been reduced. Del Orto carbs seem to be better finished and Contact Developments seem to be very helpful. I know the DHLA works well on the Twin Cam and the BDA but has anyone tried them on a crossflow. I believe that they keep their tune longer than the Weber even though they may be more difficult on initial set up. The standard of fit and finish is certainly better and I think I have made a mistake with Webers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red SLR Posted February 22, 2001 Author Share Posted February 22, 2001 This is the engine I am talking about. New in 1998. Develops 150bhp at back wheels Ford crossflow 711M block 90 thou overbore Rods Lotus short stroke Fully lightened flywheel Balanced with Crank Rods fully balanced Head fully ported, with maximum size valves Duplex timing chain 244 Cam with steel rocker shaft Dry sumped with Pace 5 port pump Electronic ignition Twin 40 Webbers with matched ported inlet manifold Custom exhaust manifold Not been raced and only had about 400 road miles since the head was re-built in 1999. Does this type of engine stay reliable? X777CAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robster Posted February 22, 2001 Share Posted February 22, 2001 Simon I would be very suprised if you are really seeing 150 at the wheels...one thing I have learnt is that people make all sorts of claims about BHP but the truth is it is usually exagerated, and it comes at a price. 40 DCOES and the level of tune you mentioned is more likely to produce 150 at the flywheel, very different figure to the wheels. The engine should be reliable providing the rolling road has been done properly (correct jetting etc). Reliability will also depend upon how you use the car, if it is being bounced off the redline constantly around tracks then it may go 'bang' a lot sooner than 'normal use'. Still, should be good for several years with some TLC. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Furst Posted February 22, 2001 Share Posted February 22, 2001 I can't comment on long term reliability of items, but some of the faults that I have had have been due to bolts working loose such as on the exhaust manifold, the alternator and the starter. With use of nylocs or loctite cured these problems. I have generally found the alternator to be a source for a number of problems (all cureable). At high rpm I found that the alternator broke either the waterpump bolt, the waterpump or the adjustment strap, by using a nylon adjustment strap from a specialist in Hinkley these problems have disappeared. The Magnetti Marelli alternator also has a terrible main power lead connection, this was fixed by welding a nut onto the back of the connection after it had again fatigued to stop the connection post from wobbling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red SLR Posted February 22, 2001 Author Share Posted February 22, 2001 Robster - It was put to gether by Vegantune, so I am not going to disagree with them! I think the 150bhp is what it made on the rollers in Jan 99. Simon. X777CAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John E Posted February 22, 2001 Share Posted February 22, 2001 Now you will have an engine to play with and I'm looking forwards to doing the comparison. You'd better buy a double trailer for track days Simon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hurdsey Posted February 22, 2001 Share Posted February 22, 2001 This wouldn't have anything to do with a certain W E S T F I E L D WOULD IT question.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Lydford Posted February 22, 2001 Share Posted February 22, 2001 Yep, want a picture of the engine in question ? Well, I've sent one to ya. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hurdsey Posted February 22, 2001 Share Posted February 22, 2001 Pete just sent me a picture of the engine, if i was you i would change the lightly modified wooden broom handle for one of the new lightweight ali one, if you polish it with solvol autosol you should get at least another 5bhp biggrin.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hurdsey Posted February 22, 2001 Share Posted February 22, 2001 and i'm an archangel now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Lydford Posted February 22, 2001 Share Posted February 22, 2001 This is my 200th posting, what do I change into ...... question.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Lydford Posted February 22, 2001 Share Posted February 22, 2001 Bugger, still the same. What does Deity mean anyway ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hurdsey Posted February 22, 2001 Share Posted February 22, 2001 Who cares biggrin.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger King Posted February 22, 2001 Share Posted February 22, 2001 As a Deity, you should know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red SLR Posted February 22, 2001 Author Share Posted February 22, 2001 It means you are one post closer to becoming Chris Clark! wink.gif X777CAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red SLR Posted February 22, 2001 Author Share Posted February 22, 2001 But I cant talk with 784 posts! John - I dont think the 11 will see that much use this year to be honnest as I am hoping to do loads of track days in the 7. Simon. X777CAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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