mike xflow

My car was built and registered on a Q plate 18/6/87. It's red, long cockpit, clamshell wings, 4speed, live axle and now zero miles after receipts for a "1700" xflow engine rebuild to super sprint, new 234 cam 135bhp (with supersprint rocker cover). Chrome rollover bar, 32mm gauge. Two 40 dcoe webers, refurbed and rejetted for 234cam. New sports radiator, alternator, sports starter, fuel pump, water pump, electronic dizzie. Five 14" revolution wheels, red "spokes". VDO instruments. All the usual weather gear, luggage rack, hood bag. Black cloth seats, not high back. Chrome headlights, 7 grill. Spare 4 minilite style well shod wheels. Spare 5speed type 5 Sierra gearbox with ali bell housing (chassis mod needed to fit) but the current gearbox is 4 speed and may be a rare AVO Rocket and very smooth). Bonnet, all wings and nosecone resprayed red. Two car covers. Car is now in bits. Engine and connected carbs on a stand (over £3000 spent), all other bits off the chassis. £1000 should get the parts needed to complete to an exceptional standard (eg narrower front suspension, high back seats, seat harness, smarter instruments, new master cylinder, nuts, bolts etc.) Oh for a nearby lockup double garage, technical skill and the energy and non-creaking joints of someone 20 years younger. With less than a hundred hours work this could sell for over £12,000. In fact, I'll probably try to buy it back. Mike

Thanks for reply, I'm hoping to attend MADS area meeting next Wed. I'll check on the front suspension types then. Don't need steering rack I think. Where are you? Mike (Chester).

Sorry my post is so confusing, the bits I need to complete the restoration are in the detail of the subject matter but don't appear when you open the posting!. They are: seats, with runners; pair harnesses; front suspension; rear lights; brake master cylinder and reservoir; battery; cooling system expansion tank; engine to chassis mount; instruments. It's also true that I would consider selling the project, offers over £6000. Mike

I'm at a crossroads, my1986 Qplate LIVE AXLE XFLOW LONG COCKPIT has a refurbished engine (234 cam 135bhp) and carbs (40 dco Weber), and new: radiator,alternator,water pump,oil pump. Can I get the above missing bits at reasonable cost or should I sell the project? Any views?

With some people upping to the new rear lights from Britax, has anybody got a pair of "rectangulars" in good condition please or my 1987 crossflow. I have the wedge mounts but they're not in "mint" condition.

Am I being really stupid in not knowing how to get the front suspension trunnion off my xflow? Any tips? Another q. please: my Eagle nct tyres have hardened to almost "resin". OK for not wearing out but negligable grip for my hoped for 135bhp. I like the 195 x 60 x r14 profile and can get avon zv3 or yokohama c drive or universal rain expert (all three H rated) or Toyo proxes cf1, V rated. They are all £64 to £71 each. Any views, I don't intend racing on any of them.

I'm hoping to drive with a "bundle of bits" to Kelcoat in Leak for plastic or powder coating. If anyone else would like me to take their bits with me, in a box, I hope to get to the MAD meeting , Daresbury,wed 30 jan. Please let me know.

Thanks for help so far. Three more questions please: 1.My engine rebuider is offering to paint the block and sump Ford Blue but I'm thinking satin black. Any views? 2. What car model does the brake master cylinder & brake fluid reservoir come off? 3. Presumably the suspension top link has an inseperable "bearing" at the wheel end?

Does anyone know the appropriate make/model of brake reservoir and master cylinder for my 1987 crossflow caterham. Also, any tips on removal of wishbone and front suspension bits? Many thanks.

Many thanks to all who are helping with their replies. My car is a live axle chassis built in 1987, long cockpit, clamshell wings, red. I'm going for kelcoating steel parts at Leak(except the springs) and am looking into POR15 (it sounds a bit scary to use). Not sure about the half wishbone kit yet. There will be an electronic dizzie but not the megajolt (budget limit). I'm unlikely to modify to take a 5speed box I've got spare. I need to build up a shopping list of bushes, stainless bolts and jubilee clips, water pipes, battery with cutout and start button-no immobilisor! (?gel battery to be mounted alongside the landrover heater). Engine and carbs being done as I write.I've got new pipes to the oil cooler and a new sports radiator, I may fill with a Halfords radiator mixture?. Hoping for a Feb./March MOT. Again, many thanks.

I'm restoring my neglected xflow in a big way. The engine and carbs are away being "polished" to supersprint spec and I'm powder coating and rebushing anything I can get off. I'm wondering if towing eyes can be fitted to the front chassis? Any advice or offers of bits at mate's rates would be appreciated. Advice on what NOT to do might be just as useful!

I should improve my safety by replacing the diagonal seat belts in my red long cockpit xflow. Any solutions out there? mike jackson

I have two black,cloth seats in my long cockpit xflow. I should improve safety by installing high back seats or headrests. Any solutions out there? mike jackson

I'm thinking of buying a pair of stick-on amber LED indicator repeater lights from demon tweeks (£19.99). Anybody tried them or know of a more elegant/cheaper alternative? I think the LED sealed setup will avoid rusting problems. My clamshell crossflow is out of sight, away from home at the moment, how long and wide is the area, previously covered by a lucas "torpedo", that the new repeater will have to mask? mike jackson

Thanks for all replies. My repeaterless car got through without a question. But, if asked, the holes in the wing could have been for mirrors (as suggested) and the Q plate could have meant the car was 1968 perhaps? before the 1974 regulation? mike jackson