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21jigsaw

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Posts posted by 21jigsaw

    K-Series Sump Foam Check Today

    in TechTalk

    Posted

     The K series installation  was designed with a shallow sump to fit under bonnet. The consequence being a low shallow volume of oil which was susceptible to aeration - tiny bubbles suspended in the oil. This was amplified buy the high lateral g forces generated by the cars. The aerated oil would circulate to the hydraulic tappets acting as a spring the valves bounce resulting in  loss of control, the valves would touch the pistons bending them, eventually with a bending fatigue the valve heads would drop off resulting in total engine failure. The tiny bubbles suspended in the oil  need to be burst or be purged .  Air is  removed / bubble burst if the oil hits a solid surface / object ie baffle, foam, block or sump.

    The sign off test devised by Caterham for a 1400 Supersport was 1st gear (5 speed box) max revs three figure of eights as fast as possible brake to a stop idle the engine and listen to see if the tappets rattled / aerated. The  foam arrangement gave the required results.

    Further development mainly for track competition resulted in the Apollo tank, solid tappets, purple pump dry sump leading to much higher performance  gold pump dry sump package.

    To run an  Apollo with the increase in oil  volume and the centrifugal purging of air from the system would probably negate the use of the foam.

    I have  run the same foam for some 27k miles 13 years without issue. There have been  failures of the foam leading to engine failure possibly due to :-

     1) bad batch of foam material

     2) fuel contamination

    3)Oil  compatibility / contamination

    4) engine temperature etc.

     There is no clear reason as to the cause of failure of the foam.

    Hope this helps

    Dave

    • Like 2

    K Series Flywheel

    in TechTalk

    Posted

    The K original flywheel was  from Rover R65 / Peugeot  gearbox.( Metro 1400 K) Smaller dia flywheel than a standard 1.6 /1.8 (PG1 Gearbox)

    There were 2 lightwieght steel versions manufactured by Titan for Caterham.

    Dave

    • Like 1

    Vauxhall Dry Sump Bits

    in For Sale

    Posted

    The pulley 28t Caterham Part no PP/3046 has a briuse mark on one of the teeth otherwise as new. There are two types of extended oil pump shafts in as new condition.(one is cat part no MP/1194) £50 + p&p

     

     

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    K Series Head Gasket

    in TechTalk

    Posted

    Pressurize the cooling system to 1 bar and determine if and where leakage occurs. Repeat the exercise on a hot engine. Also check pressure cap release pressure, should be 1bar / 14,5 psi. not good even when new.

    Anyone upgrade to the "race" rear brake caliper setup?

    in TechTalk

    Posted

    Its a Hi Spec spot caliper . Not very effective. I looked into this a few years ,you need a lever ratio of approx 15/1 for a good mechanical handbrake this system along with a modified hand brake lever was about 9/1. To get a higher lever ratio the caliper installation required redesign. This problem has been visited before E Type Jag ,Lotus Elan  these types of design would provide adequate leverage put packaging might be the issue. Willwood might be worth a look. Dave

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