Mike Bees

I'm replacing my driveshaft boots using a Duraboot kit (neoprene boots, plastic cone to slide them over). I'm a bit puzzled by the cable-tie-like clips they provide to secure the boots. They're like cable ties except there is no locking mechanism - there's a sort of blister on top of the bit which the tail slides through, perhaps I'm supposed to hammer that down? I can't find any way to get enough tension on the clip, let alone get enough tension and hold it whilst I hammer it. Should I just use cable ties instead? Mike

Hazzer - I've sent you mail regarding your offer for mine. Apologies for the thread hijack... Mike

£595, far canal!

Ok mav, you're #3. Mike

OK Heavenly, you're #2 in the queue. I'll give Jim a bit of time to see what he can sort out. Mike

wouldn't a stiffer spring make the car less compliant and therefore more prone to "jump/hop". - depends on whether you're getting any bumpsteer Norm. Mike, no front spring is about 1/2 compressed and rears are loose when car jacked up - I meant are the dampers hitting their bump stops rather than is the spring going coil-bound. The effect is similar though (suddenly gives you a massive spring rate). Sounds like you're making progress anyway Mike

Have checked that you're not on the bump stops half/most of the time? Mike

Extra points in the long jump for going centre->full left lock->full right lock->centre whilst airborne (I know someone who used to do this over a hump-backed bridge with a Mk1 Escort...). Mike

Synchronised drifting - a new Olympic sport! Mike

What are you up to Dave Mike Edited by - Mike Bees on 19 Apr 2005 14:14:41

Sorry Brent, got my wires crossed - I thought the discussion was about putting the main front indicator bulb into the headlamp and doing away with the pod (in which case they're all but invisible when the headlamps are on, a rather dickhead feature of a lot of new cars around these days). I've read the original post properly now so I'll shut up 😳 Mike

The other thing to bear in mind is that people won't be able to see that you're indicating... Mike

The K-series VVC has *continuous* variable valve timing, not just a switch from one cam to another at a particular rpm. So it's effect is smooth & subtle. I've not driven a VTec, but from what I've heard it's more of a 'switch' effect - good for impressing the occasional passenger but not really how an engine should be. Mike

Hi Jim, I'm a little bit concerned about shipping it *anywhere* given how easily damaged they are, but if anyone's got any ideas for packaging it safely (I don't have time to build a crate!) then I'm all ears. Mike

Pretty standard procedure for any race engine surely (regular strip/inspect/rebuild I mean, not blowing the engine...). Mike

What-ho James, long time no see! Mike

Is it the first time a Duratech Caterham has competed in a sprint??? Mike

Borrow a dial gauge and check the runout on the discs? Mike

Thanks Dave Mike

Isn't that always the way! Mike

Is there an accepted size of restrictor to put in the bypass circuit (e.g. 3mm hole? 5mm hole?)? Is such a thing commercially available? Mike

I'm not a Vx expert, but your comment about the plastic pulleys made me think of the following (from www.monoposto.co.uk): ------------------------------ POSSIBLE CAM BELT FAILURE ON VAUXHALL ENGINES ! Some of you may have seen the item on "Watchdog" which alerted me to the possible problem with a faulty component in the Vauxhall 16v 2 l engine. I have investigated the matter with the help of the local Vauxhall dealer with the following results. There are two variants of the Vauxhall 16v 2 l engine. The change point is at engine no 14142838. The later engines have a modified cam drive and cam belt arrangement, which appears to have been carried over onto the Ecotec engine. I have the later engine, which has two idler wheels on the cam drive train. The original wheels are made of a plastic material and carry the marking "para GF50 ". These are the wheels that are the subject of a Vauxhall recall, and should be replaced with wheels made of a rubberised material. If you have a complete Vauxhall road car, Vauxhall will change these wheels FOC. They won,t exchange the wheels though of a buckshee engine - so the cost to Monoposto racers is around £30 - cheaper than a cam belt failure I suppose ! By the way Vauxhalls recall campaign is aimed only at '94 on (Ecotec engined ?) cars, they don’t cough to a problem with the earlier 16v engine, but mine had the rogue wheels fitted ! --------------------------------------- Mike

Caterham triple-bypass aluminium radiator, the one at the top of the page here. In good condition with one caveat - I stripped the thread on the bleed screw a couple of years ago, so drilled the hole out, retapped it and put a bigger bolt in. It works tho' I'm not sure that a 'normal' bolt is the right thing to use. Have swapped to the 'normal' ali rad since it fits a lot better with my Mocal oil/coolant heat exchanger plumbed in to the top hose. £125. Located near Colchester in Essex. Mike

I'll be selling my Minno soon (which does fit a single garage), but (a) it won't take a Jeep and (b) it's not the cheapest thing around . Wahey's Clubman 950 (For Sale section) doesn't look a bad buy to me, despite some of the comments there. Mike