phill brigstock Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Hi folks Just bought a serviceable but "rough" 95 1400 Supersport for me & my 11 year old son, Ben, to "do up" in our workshop(heated & a good size) . We are not too knowledgeable, but keen, & wondered if anyone in our area with 7 knowledge could call in & help us with advice/ direction etc? Copious Beer/tea & maybe a nominal fee provided. We live in Oakham (Rutland), between Peterborough & Stamford. Very many thanks Phill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Soper Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I don't live near you but have been 7ing for 28 years withLotus 7 'A series' 2, suggest you go to your local meet and pick their brains Just treat like any other car a good service engine change cam belt hoses plugs leads etc brakes change fluid and pads etc a new set of suspension bushes/bolts is worth doing . Don't worry about upgrades .Once your happy its safe just drive it and worry about tarting it up next year when you will be much more knowledgable Brian E mail me if need you need any other advice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil_K Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 You'll struggle to find a question that can't be answered on this site Use the 'search' function as most things have been asked before, or ask yourself if you're still stuck! Sounds a great project for your little one to get involved with. Am very jealous! 😬 The 1400 SS is a great car to start with Where am I? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalongbloke Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Hi Phil.. congrats on your purchase.. if I was within 100 miles of you, would be there in a flash!! I'm sure someone will be along in a flash. I only got my car 3 months ago.. an owners club meet is your best bet to find loads of complete Caterham addicts!! regards Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Ford Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Does your garage have a PC in it? If not, that's the first "upgrade" I'd go for. Pick up a cheap secondhand laptop for maybe £100, get a USB wireless network card (or a 3G USB dongle if you're too far away from the house or don't have wireless networking) and you have instant access to the Font Of All Knowledge from the garage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Hey Andy .... you'll get locked up with all that flashing !! 😳 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phill brigstock Posted February 3, 2009 Author Share Posted February 3, 2009 Thanks Guys - I appreciate your wise words. Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be a local 7 club very near. Also problems are not always ones that can be sorted via Blatchat eg. the wiring in my car is a mess with lots of poorly added bits (used mostly on the track) & you have to be with the car to start to sort it - that needs someone with more knowledge than me but isn't really solveable through b/c. Anyway, please keep the comments coming & again many thanks. Phill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Day Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Phil Welcome aboard! There might not be an organised meet but I'm sure there are people in your area who can help. The car is really v v simple & most things are very easy to get at (when compared to most modern cars). Even the wiring is not too difficult. It sounds as though your 1st project may be electrical. Tip: Take the scuttle off to get at the under dash wiring then take the loom wrap off. Once there you can trace everything by colour & using a meter. Web sites like this may help: http://www.hoymotorsport.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk Get a copy of the K series build manual as that will help with torque settings etc. It used to be available on CC's website but it seems to have been taken down in favour of the modern cars. However I'm sure someone local will have a copy, or maybe CC can point you in the right direction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevsta Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I have the wiring diagram for your car from my manual for my car (a 96 1400 originally), let me have your e-mail and I'll pdf it and send to you. I also have the K series manual on my hard drive that I'll send too. That should get you started. I'm no electrical genious but I managed to splice a VVC engine wiring loom from a later rover 200 into my 96 car (it is the early one with handbrake under dash model btw). Not in your area though sorry. As people have said, let us know your problems and people will at least be able to point you in the right direction Great that you are doing this with your son, some of the best times I've had with my dad have been spent working on my cars in the garage! Kev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phill brigstock Posted February 3, 2009 Author Share Posted February 3, 2009 Hi Kevsta Many thanks - I've emailed you. Phill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eugene Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Hi Phill, I'm a tad down the road, just into Herts, but could easily blatt up if needed for a session or two - when I'm not travelling for business... I've an old 'A' reg, 1983 Seven - who's engine I just blew-up - again - and which I work on a lot... 😬 See: here. Happy to help if possible. Small Boy - with Loud Toy! See Eugene here and see what I do here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew_H Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Hi Phill Definitely not a guru but have built a starter kit and if nothing else could offer you some inspiration in the form of a ride out in a 2008 duratec car. I only live over in Market Harborough and regular visit Uppingham etc.. If I can be of any help let me know. Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackbirdman Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Phill Again, welcome. You don't say how much general car maintenance experience you have but given the substantial workshop I'm guessing a fair bit. You won't have any trouble with the 7 as it's so simple to get at and work on. Brian's right, tidy it up, get it going and then decide what you need/want to do. Everything from basic jobs to a full rebuild can be done with minimal specialist help except for the chassis. Arch are not far from you and can do as much or as little as you want. Above all, have fun with it! Matt Life begins at 10,000 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjmmarsh Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Phil I am in Ketton and have had a 7 for 5 years now (1.8VVC and now a CSR). While I have done many jobs on my car, I am not exactly a guru - but could get over one evening next week to give it the once-over if you like? Steve Marsh My Caterham Page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David aka Blue7 Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Hi Phil I am too far away to call in on you but I thought it worthwhile mentioning the new department recently set up by Caterham Cars called Caterham Heritage, here is a quote from this months edition of Caterham Life: Caterham Heritage has been established to manage the parts needs of anyone who owns a car built before the year 2000. The plan is to greatly improve upon the level of service we currently offer, and to do this we need someone with an encyclopaedic knowledge of Caterhams. Darren Phillips has been working for Caterham Cars for nearly 20 years, and in that time he owned and built no less than six Caterhams. Originally starting out picking parts for kits, he soon showed a natural aptitude for remembering a freakily large number of part numbers. This knowledge was soon put to use in the parts department, where he naturally progressed to become Parts Manager. For 2009 Darren has relinquished his Parts Manager duties to concentrate fully on Caterham Heritage. Darren and Caterham Heritage will be based at our factory in Dartford. All at Caterham wish Darren well in his new role, and we hope all owners of cars pre-dating 2000 will experience Darren’s wealth of knowledge and enjoy a much improved level of service in the future. For any enquiries Caterham Heritage can be contacted on 01322 625811 or by email Heritage@Caterham.co.uk Blue7 Always remember that you're unique, just like everyone else Blue's pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilg Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Phil, i live in loughborough but regularly travel to and fro the village of Blatherwycke nr Corby ( where i manage a farm) and also thru to Melton via Stamford etc . I don't pretend to be an expert but having built a Westfield and owned two Caterhams now i 'm not too bad. ( apart from fuel injection , which i know bugger all about!!) . I could call in if you like and add my ten pennies worth. Your nearest club night is this week on Thursday evening at Hathern at the Kings Arms. Drop me aline if you like on 07766912648 or email me n.gilby@yahoo.com. Cheers Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phill brigstock Posted February 4, 2009 Author Share Posted February 4, 2009 Hi guys - really appreciate the support. Kevin - Kevsta - not sure if you got my email - the wiring diagram & K series manual would be great - mail@pbrigstock.co.uk Eugene - Thanks for the offer - Its a fair way to come & a couple of local guys have offered to help but if they are tied up & you fancy a run up here it would be great to see you. Andrew H - A run in the Duratec some time would be fun (a lot quicker than my '95 1400) -& if you are near Egleton (edge of Oakham) give me a call & drop in - 0794 1308177. Steve Marsh - Great you are in Ketton. I'm away next week but if you want to give me your phone no. or call me on 0794 1308177 we can arrange for you to come & give us your thoughts - I'll put the kettle on! Neil G - Same as Steve (para above) - any help appreciated. Thanks guys Phill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjmmarsh Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 i live in loughborough but regularly travel to and fro the village of Blatherwycke ..... but having built a Westfield and owned two Caterhams Neil. If you are in Blatherwycke, have you run into Ron Champion yet (of Locost fame)? If you haven't, that will explain why you see so many Locosts going down the road. (Ron tells me that he often receives visitors on a 'pilgrimage'). Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjmmarsh Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Phil How well equipped is your workshop? I presume that you have a reasonable selection of tools, jacks, axle stands etc? You will also find his useful: K-series Assembly Guide Steve Edited by - sjmmarsh on 4 Feb 2009 20:30:30 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilg Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Steve, yes i understood Ron Champion lives in Blathers but i haven't seen him yet. Did he used/still works at Oundle school. Funnily enough i haven't ever seen one Locost in the village. However in his defence i don't live there , just manage a farm/estate there so i'm not there for long periods 'cept in summer. I go in my seven as often as i can but farm tracks are not a Blackbirds best habitat!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilg Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Phil, i'll give you a shout when i'm around. Fee is 2 times choccy hobnob plus one cup of tea ( milk, no sugar) per hour -1. 😬 😬 Ta neil. ...or jus gimme a shout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phill brigstock Posted February 5, 2009 Author Share Posted February 5, 2009 Steve/Neil Hobnobs on their way - assuming I can smuggle them past the kids to the workshop! Workshop has most basic stuff but not specialist tools. I help maintain a kit aeroplane which I have a share in so I've got some idea technically. Sort of thing I don't have - the RHS diff seal is weeping & it needs a special tol for the big castellated nut to replace the seal. All the best. Phill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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