Nick Chan

Took my first self-built Caterham to ATS a few years ago straight from my garage and they set it quickly and accurately using "normal" equipment. No mention of special treatment except (fortunately!) wrapping something round the clamp before they adjusted the car. Incidentally took my Cavalier SRi back to same place after the front wheel had been ripped out (ask the wife!) and rebuilt and excepting the comments about "Strange, has it been in a crash...!" they sorted this out as well with mininum fuss and it was spot on, again. HTH Nick

Sounds like the new chap has got a bargain... and right at the start of the decent(ish) weather! Shame that the money is being used for non-mechanised expenditure too! Nick

Posted - 31 March 2002 11:06 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 x 5-speed gearboxes for sale. 1. Quaife HD needle roller SC/CR, 2.04 1st, 0.87 5th. Unused since overhaul. £600 2. New Brian Hill HD helical box. Built from new Caterham box. Never fitted or used. £999 ono. Both boxes have long input shaft/short spigot so will fit Vx or K. Posted on the For Sale forum - Nick

Had the same problem with mine from new. It would show full, gradually decrease with miles and then stop at around 1/4 mark and leave me guessing!! After a month or so, I got fed up with it and took the sender out of the tank and carefully bent the arm a slight amount up. Now it never shows more than 3/4 full but at least goes down properly when the fuel is being used and gets to the red. I know which option I prefer! Taking the sender unit out was very easy. The most hassle was getting the boot floor in and out of the car - just when you are about to do something you will probably regret, it seems to slip through(!). Then it was a quick job to take the unit in and out. Good luck Nick

Ford 1600 Sport 4 speed gearbox – from Mk11 1600 Escort and stored over 12 years £60. Offered for sale at same price as paid in early 90’s. Purchased for Seven build and never used. Unused bare aluminium bonnet for Seven. Single set of louvres for heater. Originally meant for GT car to have pancake cut out over carburettor but still untouched. £40. And... Five 8” TSW Alloys to fit VW Golf Mk11 or MK111 – 4 stud with face plates. 205/50x15” tyres – 3 good and 2 excellent £150 Datsun 260Z cloth seats – one in excellent condition and one needs slight repair. Offers for pair over £100 I am based in Newcastle, Staffs before you ask! Cheers Nick TSW wheels are 8" wide and not 7" - sorry! Edited by - Nick Chan on 4 Apr 2002 14:05:43

I have had both 4 and 5 speed boxes in different cars with the 4 speed one being my main car for quite a while back in 80's. Certainly for blatting around the lanes now with the 5 speed, I spend most of the time in 3rd and 4th but even so when you get stuck behind the old dears on the single track roads around the countryside, 5th is a bit more relaxed! Likewise on the motorway, it drops the revs just enough to be less buzzy (technical term, there!) and a bit more suited to cruising along... Not sure about the chassis mods but the work to take the engine out and replace the box is very straightforward stuff. If the price is right for the car, I'd buy it and then think about any changeover after you have had chance to play... and that could be quite a while! Nick

Thanks for the advice. I think a fly lead under the dash sounds a good idea to minimise any drilling and to save removing the bonnet after each trip. Still undecided on whether to spend the extra £'s but probably be able to justify somehow to myself! Cheers Nick

Hi, I have been thinking of getting one of these trickle chargers as well for my car. I know that the Optimate haas a well proven reputation but at £45'ish is it worth almost double the Race Tec one at £25? Does anyone know what else you get for your money? Will the Race tec one "recondition" the battery back to full strength from zero charge as the Optimate one seems to do? Also, is there a simple way of connecting the leads to the battery rather than removing the bonnet and (precariously) storing it in the garage whilst the car is sitting charging. I wondered if a cigarette lighter socket mounted under the dash might be an answer but then it would require a different power lead from the charger. Any comments appreciated. Nick

I had a similar worry when I built my car and needed to relieve the exhaust hole by a slight amount. Just take your time and obviously apply pressure with the file on the inward stoke only (!) assuming you are filing from the painted side into the engine bay!! It took only a few moments and it was surprising how easy it was to do... like a knife through butter springs to mind. Nick

I had the same thought when I built my car and considered both options... but ended up with the long edge on the hidden side and it does look much better. Given that it's only there to protect the top edge anyway from clumsy feet or elbow marks, it doesn't really much difference protection-wise so go with the looks! Nick

Not sure what else there is to add to this one! I have been over to France many times but always in my diesel people carrier! (How else to carry 6 people, 5 bikes, numerous bits & bobs, kitchen sink... and still get over 600 miles on the tankful!!) I have been thinking of taking the Seven over to France (actually "under" as we use the Chunnel) but wondered about the clearance getting the car along the train. We always use the train and have noticed that there is a raised section the length of all the carriages. From memory it seemed to be 2-3" high and about 12" wide. Has anyone had any problems with clearance on this section - maybe its just my car and my weight being the problem! Otherwise I agree that fuel availability is not a problem on the motorways or generally in the towns. The paege can be a little expensive with its toll system but brilliant for crossing the country very quickly (La Rochelle to Calais in around 7-8 hours but even my TDI dropped to low 30's mpg!)but is likely to be incredibly boring in a Seven so stick to the other roads methinks. Have a brilliant time Nick