don_g

I now have a result! Simon at Meteor Motorsport (what a knowledgeable guy!) has solved the problem; there really is no-where to fit the PF8-904 on a 1991 Caterham. Powerflex's diagram for the Imperial, non-watts linkage Caterham is incorrect as it doesn't include a 'pre 1996 chassis which, like mine, has the front, rear wishbone bush pivoting on a 1/2" bolt. PF8-901 is required in this position. Thanks so much to Simon at Meteor for solving the problem. I wish I'd bought all my Powerflex bearings from him - it would have saved me a lot of trouble.

Hi All, I'm fitting Powerflex bushes throughout my BDR Seven that I built way back in 1991. I'd appreciate some help from this excellent forum. All is going well apart from a problem with the rear upper wishbone bush. All the diagrams I've seen show a bush for this upper wishbone has a 3/8" bore and requires a PF908-904. However, this rear upper bore is 1/2"! All upper and lower wishbone bores are 1/2" (and use a PF8-901) except for the upper wishbone front (which uses a PF8-902 and the included special 3/8" bolt). There is nowhere to fit the PF908-904 bush and it appears to be redundant on my Seven! I'd appreciate your thoughts... Many thanks, Don

Dash is still available. Wings now sold.

Dash now sold, wings now sold. I've a pair of carbon front wings (13/14", standard width) and a carbon dash, all unused, for my S3. Bought from the craftsman 'Richard in France' many years ago, before his sad demise, and carefully stored ever since! There are some trivial marks from the years in storage (wings and dash were wrapped and packaged very carefully!) and the dash is 'uncut' so instruments can be positioned as desired. Ultimate Carbon charge £205 for a pair of wings and £165 for a cut dash. Shall we say half-price? I'm near Guildford, Surrey Dash still available, wings now sold. Dash now sold

Hi Ed, I hadn't realised your courier would collect - that makes it much easier. I'll pack them tomorrow, as you've suggested, and once I've received the £50 arrange for them to be collected whenever you wish. Account details: name: D.G. & Mrs R.J.Gray sort code: 60 09 50 account number: 58062645 Address: Greenleas, Beech Lane, Normandy, Guildford, Surrey GU3 2JH ​Best regards, Don

Hi Ed, I'd prefer collection but, if you cover all the costs, will pack for courier collection. If that's OK I'll withdraw the item from eBay (it's scheduled to start this evening). Thanks, Don

Bench seat and squabs from my 1990 De Dion Seven. In very good condition, with little damage to original covers, foam or plywood backs. Replaced soon after I bought the car, new in 1990, with individual seats and carefully dry-stored since then. £50 Collect from Guildford, Surrey.

I use a manual pump system that ensures all the oil is removed from the tank. I'm sure your local motor factor wil have one - really clean and easy to use. IIRC I drilled a small (10mm) hole in the lower tank baffle plate to allow the tube from this pump system to reach the very bottom of the tank. Still some mess when the other unions are undone, though.

I've also used rally mudflaps. One, cut in half, fits both front cycle wings. Stainless fittings look OK and they really do work, although at higher speeds the 'rubber' ones I've used tend to blow back and allow some muck onto the rear wings.

Another vote for Stunner Scudos - I also use them on Prisoner wheels, mainly as a road tyre and they are excellent. And pretty cheap!!!

test

Graphogen - from Burtons. Used by loads of engine builders for cam lube etc.

Been using standard Banner batteries on BMW bikes for 25 years... I've only had one on the Seven for the past five or six years - it is excellent. Secret seems to be regular topping up and the use of an Optimate.

Been using standard Banner batteries on BMW bikes for 25 years... I've only had one on the Seven for the past five or six years - it is excellent. Secret seems to be regular topping up and the use of an Optimate.

There is only one engine for the Seven - the BD! I have two - a 'standard' 1600 BDR and an 1800 BD? built on an AX block with a brand new BDT head. Nothing else even comes close - ask Chris Ringrose, the 'RingMeister' - he had a genuine 235 BHP AT THE WHEELS... (albeit on a 2ltr alloy 4-bolt mains block - on carbs!). Buy one - the path of truth and righteousness...

An old chestnut, but an alternative solution is to drull a small hole through the baffle plate to allow a thin tube to reach the very bottom of the dry sump tank. Then the contents can be sucked out with any proprietary 'siphoner'. Works for me (BD engines) and avoids the terrible mess over the floor (but you still have to split and clean the tank). Also removes the awful possibility of the drain plug being knocked off...

I know the feeling! My (silver top) failed in stages on Le Sept this year and I spent a very hot morning at Dijon changing it... There really is no other solution than replacement (but you might check that there is a sound earth across the insulating rubber mounting bobbins before shelling out on a new one). I'm planning to fit two 'Silver Tops' in parallel over the winter. Try 'Think Automotive' in Wandswoth - superb knowledge and service.

The item is RD315A - Extended Release Bearing Carrier - £37.50+VAT and is on page 71 of the 2004 catalogue. HAve fun!

Try Burtons - they produce the very item you require to space the CRB appropriately. It may need machining to give the correct clearance. I needed one on a cable AP twin-plate to correct the very problem you have. Can't access the Burton cataloge at the moment. but Brian Gregory at Burtons will have all the knowledge. Binned the twin-plate in the end - just too difficult for any road use!

Farndon - excellent outfit. Steel crank for the BD is ace, with superb service and after-sales follow up (suits you, sir). Could take a while, though... depending on who'se first in the queue.

I've just used the same additive Phil recommended. I used half as you suggested to achieve the mix on the bottle - pre-mixed with the diff oil and filled to the level of the plug. I doubt that the exact proportion is critical.

Easy to check what head is fitted - the BDA has a three-bolt exhaust flange and the BDR a four-bolt fixing (and that lower fixing nut on the BDA is a real mother to reach!) The BDA exhaust primaries will also be angled more downwards. Both are excellent engines - and both can be made to perform very similarly. The BDA head has rather more 'meat' around the ports than the BDR (itself a development of the defunct BDT turbo engine but without the external water-rail) so beware when porting a BDR. Many limit BDR valves to 1.360" inlet and 1.14" exhaust rather than the 1.400/1.2" easily possible with the thicker BDA head castings. Rebuild costs are pretty high, so as RK suggested here some time ago, know it's history or be prepared to spend some real money. There is, however, no finer engine for a Seven (but maybe I'm biased... I have one of each!)

Beware the twin plate cerametallic clutch!!! It will make hill starts fearsome, and the drive train noise loathsome. I know - I've just removed one and fitted a more standard clutch.

Try Goode Fabrications (01844 202 850)- ace. They will fabricate exactly what you require and their quality is second to none.

Try AHC in Camberley (01276 709 069). They're on the A30 and have just about everything - Unbrako, Brighton Best and stainless in all threads - even really oddballs. Small quantities no problem.