Englishmaninwales

Wanted as title to suit Lucas 23/25D distributor (Ford BDA Pre-crossflow and Twincam, possibly Crossflow) Due to my hamfisted handling refitting the engine (why was the dizzy cap not fitted?) I succeeded in breaking a limb off the chopper disc.... Before I part with ££ from Burtons or MiniSpeed for a new chopper, has anyone got one sitting unused and surplus to requirements in their spares box, please? Thanks Malcolm

The Rover MEMS ECU for a 1400ss is MKC101830 1804. It has a higher rev limit than the standard engine, at 7600 rpm. TB for the earlier 1400ss is a 56mm stepper motor type.

Looking at the 1400 oil pressure sender/ loom/ filter housing on my car (now 1800) is a VDU sender with a single post terminal. The sender wire is white/ red. The sender take off is fitted above the filter housing. No second wire. The sender is available from Mardi Gras Motorsports, but expensive (around £50 - 60 about 5 years ago). Malcolm

Arch will fit the 7/16 UNF (or the metric equilivent) threaded bosses for the two forward mountings that are in the top chassis rail, while you wait. Avoid the unthreaded variety that used to be provided by Caged, as you will require through bolts with a nasty lock nut on the inside. Malcolm.

Price and location ? Thanks

Andrew, just a caution: If you’re going racing/hillclimbing/sprinting the cylinder needs to have been serviced within last 2 years (and less than 10 years old). If not, apologies and please ignore! Malcolm

Andrew, Just checked on my 1400 crank and the spigot bearing is installed 4.5mm from the outer face of the crank. The space for the spigot is 45 mm deep. I suspect the FMS spigot in Roger’s car is not properly engaging the needle roller, hence clutch symptoms. From my notes in 2005 when I ditched the 1400: 5 speed that came with my 1400 had a long FMS, it’s length from GB face = 207mm (the extra length was in the spigot; the clutch splines in the same location) and needed shortening by 8mm when I fitted an 1800 as the crank spigot space was 27 mm deep. I have other measurements if you need. Malcolm

Andrew, I have a genuine CC supplied 1400 crank in storage, I’ll dig it out tomorrow and measure the depth of the spigot bearing fitment (if that helps?) I know that CC, back in the early 1990s, stripped the new 1400 engines and drilled the 1400 crank to suit the 6/5 speed FMS spigot. Malcolm

Differential ratio and tyre size will affect speed in gears, unless the 360 SV Mazda 5 Speed equipment is the same for all.

An easy way to get the correct hole positions for the floor on the underside is to buy a 5/32” hole finder for about £12 on eBay. Trial fit the undrilled floor, making sure it is fully fitted up to the chassis, drill a few pilot holes with the hole finder and secure the floor with Cleco skin fasteners as you go. Then drill the remainder with the hole finder (you’ll need to release and refit the fasteners in sequence to get the hole finder in). Remove the floor and apply sealant, refit with the fasteners and rivet. (Right angle compressed air drill and riveter helps too). Malcolm

These usually leak because either the fixing set screws bottom out or the coolant rail mounting flange is not flat (or both as in my car).

+1 on getting it repaired. My spare K dry sump was far worse. The main thing was I had all of the fragments. The cost was around £100 for the welding and a further few quid to have it re-faced. Required quite a bit of fettling of excess weld around the repair to get it to fit, but shouldn’t be a problem with a wet sump, with more clearance on the inside.

Paul You have private mail. Malcolm

+1 for HJF’s method.

Yes, I agree, a relatively cheap service, compared to re-building the engine. I do this every 5 years and you could consider replacing the bearing in the tensioner too. I treat this as a service item every two years. It is a sealed bearing with high temperature grease, I’ve got the bearing number somewhere, just a few £ from a bearing factor. Remove the circlip, it is then a simple knock out and press in with bearing adhesive. Just to add to Stu’s list above, it will be obvious also to undo the oil pipe union and jubilee clips on the two oil scavenge pipes. Malcolm

Front driver’s side on 6 speed is the filler, should have a plug in it. 5 and 6 speed have a speedometer drive or blanking plate in the same side of the gearbox, further back, aft of the main gear case in the tail shaft housing.

Most importantly, Kenricks know how to mask up a Caterham correctly and they made a nice paint job of mine.

I send my BGH back to them to get it refurbished, they arrange courier both ways (total £60), I can lend you my bespoke wood packing case if you wish?

Tom I used North West Propshafts ( Chorley branch) to refurbish and balance the prop in my Elan, good service and reasonable price.

At risk of going off topic, but what is the issue ‘inserting a tube down the oil feed’ ?

Sold

Clear out of surplus parts for Lotus Twincam engine. All prices plus P+P QED crank pulley. This has been trial fitted only, but otherwise unused, minor witness marks from woodruff key. Includes new unused QED washer, no bolt, £35 (normally together £50 incl vat). Set of 4 QED conrod small ends. New unused, in original packaging. £25 (normally £33.60). QED oil pick up, later push in type. New unused £40 (normally £59.40). Oil pick up gauze bowl, used genuine Ford, suits previous item £10. Coolant pump pulley mounting flange, Burtons, new unused £8 (normally £11.21). I have some other parts that suit early original Twincam engine (but not Caterham supplied tall block). 4 bolt flywheel, genuine T/C, starter ring and clutch face in good condition, genuine T/C 4 bolt crankshaft 020/020 undersized. This will require a re-grind on both pins and journals. These are ideally sold together as they are a balanced pair (sorry, no clutch cover) £50 for the pair, or will split. Ideally, collection as heavy! Engine to bellhousing sandwich plate, used, genuine Ford, suits 4 bolt crank £10. Sump gasket set, Burtons still in original packaging, suits 4 bolt crank £10 (normally £13.60). Rear crank seal housing, used genuine Ford, suits 4 bolt crank. £5. Spigot bearing, brass (not Oilite). New unused. Suits 4 bolt crank and 2000E Ford gearbox 40mm OD 15mm ID £20. Malcolm

Hi Dave YHM

Pair of used SPA digital gauges for oil pressure/oil temperature and coolant temperature/voltage. These are complete with all sensors/wiring harnesses and in working order. New rubber dash grommets. Instruction booklet. They are cosmetically in good condition and fit the Caterham dash. I bought them secondhand but I have not got around to fitting them. Grab a bargain at £100 to include postage. Malcolm

I used a 1 litre spray bottle refilled with tap water, mopped up with paper towels (cheap dairy paper rolls from the local Farmers Mart).