Ronbo

I also had some exhaust leakage at the flanges (Caterham competition exhaust). I put some high temp silicone on the gaskets and cured the problem. This was eleven years ago and still holding.

Yes, thanks again everyone for your advice. I remember Speedwell from my Bugeye Sprite days. Tom is a great mechanic, and I don't know why I didn't think of him myself.

Very interested. Hopefully work and family commitments will allow. I've been real busy lately. My car problems hit at a bad time.

I don't know about Joe Kelly. I visited his shop when it was in Santa Monica back in '93. Something didn't feel quite right and I ended up ordering my kit from Chris at Sevens & Elans in Mass. (about 3000 miles away). Turns out later that Joe got into some trouble with the State of Ca. for some reason or other, or so I've heard. Wouldn't surprise me that he's moving around. Escondido is an "interesting" place to sell Caterhams. Malibu makes much more sense, given the wealth of the locals to purchase big $$ toys. Checking with Dave Bean is a good idea, and would send him my car in an instant, but I think he moved from Santa Barbara several years ago and is now in Northern Ca which is probably at least 500+ miles from me. I'm still following the leads you kind folks have given me. Thanks again for the help and support!

Thank you all for the advice. Much appreciated!

To anyone in the southern California area, could you recommend a mechanic to take my Caterham to? I can't get the car to start, and unfortunately work and family commitments keep me from in-depth investigation of the problem myself. Because I've never had to rely on a mechanic for this car before, I don't know of anyone trustworthy and capable of working on my car. Of course, the fact that nobody here has ever heard of a Caterham before doesn't help. Being a crossflow, I assume there are many who could do the work, but it would ease my fears of leaving the car if I could get a recommendation. The San Fernando Valley area would be best, as she needs to be towed. Thanks for any help!

Thank you all for your tips. I ordered the parts today and hope to have them by the weekend.

The water pump on my 1700 Crossflow has decided to call it quits. It looks fairly straight forward to replace, but I was hoping those that have been down this road before can warn me of any areas to look out for. It looks as though the pulley must come off before the pump, and I see it's held on by 4 bolts. Is it also pressed on to the shaft? Also, would anyone have the torque specs on the bolts that hold the pump on? Any and all help greatly appreciated!!

1983 Alfa Romeo GTV/6. Bought it new and watched it fall apart within 2 years.

Many thanks to you all for the tips!

Went to take my car for a ride this morning only to find the battery has finally packed it in. I'm hoping someone could recommend a battery that will properly fit the very limited space available. The car is a '93 deDion chassis, with the battery located on the frame below the carbs. Most batteries, including the replacement that just died, are too big for the space. I'd like to have one the size of the original if possible. The car (and I) are located in the U.S. Hopefully someone knows of a battery from Pep Boys, Sears, Autozone, etc. that would work. Thanks for your help!

Interesting bit of trivia! Who would have thought?

I'll second that float adjustment tip. Happened to me too.

Rest assured, the moon landings really happened. I have an uncle who was a scientist for NASA at the time and was deeply involved in the Apollo missions. I was only about 13 at the time, but he took me to mission control on one of the later moon landing missions to observe (from a distance, of course). An experience I'll never forget.

I agree with what the others have said about the stud extractor. That bracket must be a weak spot, as mine also broke about 6 months ago (rubber separated from the metal). Had to drive about 2 miles home holding the muffler at the heat shield with my left hand. Thankfully I have a LHD car!