J A T Richardson

Ummm... My dear! (ex) cat has peed copiously on my (fabric) seats. I've soused them in shampoo, fabric cleaner, air freshener, rinsed them again and again, all to little effect. The niff is subtle, but unmistakeable... Has anyone any ideas. HELP!!!! Stinky toy driver - and proud of it!

1) I had similar symptoms to those you describe - only more extreme (all the coolant getting dumped on the road) and, yes, it was the head gasket. When I put a straight edge across the head it was positively banana-shaped. A quick skim fixed that. The valve timing won't be affected by a head gasket change, but valve clearances almost certainly will, so they will need resetting. 2)Flymo is quite right: the pressure cap is designed to blow excess water into the overflow tank and to "suck" it back when the car cools. You should run with the tank about half full (yes, I know - excess weight...), and the overflow pipe below the level of water in the bottle. If the car is not overheating, if the water level in the system is OK when cold and if the overflow tank is not itself overflowing, then I don't think you have a problem. Stinky toy driver - and proud of it!

Wimp! 'seasy, as long as you don't lose your nerve. No other way to do it anyway! (and the reason one of my fingers is shorter than it should be is NOT 'cos of doung ignition timing on an Xflow - onist!) Rupert Stinky toy driver - and proud of it!

According to the manual for a standard 1700 (running 234 cam) static (idle) setting is 10 degrees BTDC if you are running a leaded head/distributor, and 14 degrees if you are running an unleaded head/dizzie. Both would peak at 32-34 degrees max advance at approx 4000 rpm Stinky toy driver - and proud of it!

I had this, and it was excessive heat from the exhaust. Since I wrapped the exhaust, it hasn't been a problem Stinky toy driver - and proud of it!

I've only read about this, but the short answer is "yes". If you use a higher lift cam, then the springs will be more compressed, and space has to be allowed for this. When I did it, I happened to have the head skimmed and the valves re-seated and it came out that this left enough additional space for the springs, but all the books mention that you might hace to relieve the spring seats Stinky toy driver - and proud of it!

thx for all the feedback. Additional question: I've been told NOT to put grease in the trunnions - but they have a grease nipple on them? I've tried putting oil in a grease gun to lube them - doesn't work and VERY messy. The only other way I know is to undo them, unscrew them, fill and reassemble. Pain. Is there any other way of doing it, or can I just use grease? Stinky toy driver - and proud of it!

And is this the same for an Xflow? (it's what mine does...) Stinky toy driver - and proud of it!

Golf Juliet Tango: It's probably NOT suitable for a learning exercise - it IS a bare block - no crankshaft, pistons, con-rods, sump, water or oil pumps, camshaft, followers, pushrods etc., so the main learning curve would be a) where the h*** do I source THAT and b) HOW MUCH??? 😳 Stinky toy driver - and proud of it!

1st registered: August 1991 Current mileage: 27200 1700 Ford Crossflow built by Vulcan – 135bhp; twin 40DCOE carbs; 4-2-1 exhaust – rear exit; uprated electronic ignition – even heater! 4 Speed; Live axle (with the thicker Ital driveshafts) Long Cockpit; Green and aluminium; Flared wings; heated screen; super-accurate digital cycle speedo; 4 point harnesses Original Caterham wheels, with Goodyear Ventura specialist wet-weather tyres – fantastic wet weather grip Full weather gear – large screen hood, plus tonneau. Also aeroscreens for that "racy" summer look - see pics on website http://members.tripod.com/jatrichardson/Caterham/ Extensively refurbished over the years, with many new or reconditioned parts; always garaged Lots of receipts and MOTs; spares and extras Taxed until September; MoT until October Sale due to moving – very sad… ☹️ £7500 ono Stinky toy driver - and proud of it!

Anyone capable of doing this?? It's a bare block, a bare head and a small box of bits. Stinky toy driver - and proud of it!

I have a 1700 711m xflow bare block with main bearing caps, which needs to have cylinder 1 linered (dropped valve). I also have abare xflow head which has no 1 cylinder exhaust port well-chewed up (same reason). It would probably be OK once skimmed and hardened insert fitted; it would also need new valve guides. I'm moving and need the space, so it/they is/are free to anyone who will give it/them a good home. Donation to NtL advised, but not mandatory. Recipient collects from South London. Stinky toy driver - and proud of it!

I have a 1700 711m xflow bare block with main bearing caps, which needs to have cylinder 1 linered (dropped valve). I also have a bare xflow head which has no 1 cylinder exhaust port well-chewed up (same reason). It would probably be OK once skimmed and hardened insert fitted; it would also need new valve guides. I'm moving and need the space, so it/they is/are free to anyone who will give it/them a good home. Donation to NtL advised, but not mandatory. Recipient collects from South London. Stinky toy driver - and proud of it!

I'll second Graham Perry's thought. This happened to me and produced EXACTLY the symptoms you describe - which got steadily worse (I was at the N'ring at the time...). Finally ground to a halt outside Spa and home on a low-loader. Such fun. Replacing/rerouting the alternator wiring fixed it. Stinky toy driver - and proud of it!

Thx guys, all done - now irt seems to be leaking fron the FRONT of the diff case... I'll keep you posted Stinky toy driver - and proud of it!