stevemersey

1991 S3 - I just shimmed up my steering rack to reduce bump steer, I then set the tracking to half a degree toe in and had this checked by a helpful chap at ATS. And the result is much improved stability over bumps, the car tracks nice and straight at speed even with hands off the wheel (it didn't) - but it is all a little lacking in feel in the straight ahead position. You could almost imagine the steering wheel was about to come loose ( we have checked everything and it isn't). So what can I do to get a little more feel?

I have just gone to 2.75 on my 150 bhp zetec. It is a big improvement over the standard 3.? type 9, and drives well in stop-go traffic, for regular road use it is great - BUT when going for maximum acceleration from a standing start it can be really hard to get away quickly without a lot of clutch abuse, and with hind sight I might go for something slightly less long if I was doing it again. That said, once rolling, the 2.75 1st gear flows really nicely into 2nd - and makes for a really nice blatting gearbox, but I suspect I have gone a little too long to get the very best 0-60 time - though 10 to 60 is noticeably quicker.

I have used WD40 a lot on the bikes for years to good effect. It cleans, lubricates and repels water, so that has to be good. Can't see it being anything less than beneficial on the 7.

Is this of any help? here

Phil..yes..maybe it is an age thing.

I love the sound of the Webers on my Zetec, but would love it even more if there was slightly less of it, so the whole neighbourhood does not know when I go out. Currently I am on standard K and N filters. Can anyone recommend any quieter solutions or means of slightly muting my induction.

I have just paid to have my first gear changed during a gearbox overhaul, and would say it was money well spent. I felt the original 3.65 I had was better suited to hill starting a ton of car than getting my 7 away from the lights. I have ended up with a 2.75 first gear, which is quite low enough to get me away quickly on the road, but now when I change to second I do not drop off the power like I used to but get straight into a real chunk of beef in second gear. Is my 0-60 time any quicker? Not sure - but it is a lot easier to drive smoothly and quickly in traffic. I have no idea what you should be getting with your car, but if you can get it, a longer first gear is well worth having in my somewhat limited experience.

I showed Lewis the dowel slots on my spare Caterham engine and he went all quite! That was the one thing he didn't mark and assumed was o.k. forgetting we had to rotate the cams with the pulleys off to get to the head bolts. We just checked and guess what............both were in the wrong slots I think as both cams were about 180 deg out, he hopefully hasn't bent any valves. I did something similar with a twin cam engine when I was young. Degrees at the crank not equalling degrees at the camshaft Flames out of the carbs and a lot of popping, - But the engine survived it all and ran when corrected. Good luck with yours!

All back together. I did a few short test runs last night before checking over and going for a longer blat today, but loving the new 2.75 first gear! Well done to Road and Race. In the end I had the prop shaft extended by 1 1/2 inches from 18 1/2 between u joints to 20". I used a local firm, A1 props hafts, Liverpool, who were efficient and reasonably priced. This length gives me a lot more nose in the gearbox tail and for £6O lengthened and balanced, I am happy ! Putting it all back together went very smoothly. I put the engine and box in first, then fitted the prop and diff after, and though advised against this, it worked for me. Only time I needed help was at the end to pour the oil in the gearbox while I held the tube in place with some very long nosed pliers. I have fitted some new suspension bits, bushes, dampers, and an FIA roll bar, while I have been off the road so it is all systems go! Though I am suspicious the new dampers may not last long as they came from ebay and look like they have had a dodgy makeover. But I will give them a go as I am already over budget and need tyres. So all being well, it's tyres next, and then I am in business! Edited by - stevemersey on 24 Mar 2012 11:00:11

So here I am a few weeks on. The gearbox has been rebuilt by Road and Race, having taken a little longer than expected as they waited for the parts to make first gear a bit longer while doing the overhaul. ( It seemed a good idea while the box was in bits). The gearbox stripdown showed a "mullered" bush in the tail probably as a result of the car having a short propshaft and the nose not sliding far enough in on the splines. Length between UJ's is 18 1/2" which I am told is right for a Vauxhall engine but is at least an inch short for my Zetec as there was very little overlap on the splines. If anyone is expert in the best length prop for a zetec, please let me know. Otherwise I intend to get one made an inch longer than the old one. I have used the time to do a few other improvements to the suspension and electrics, new clutch, flywheel skim and balance etc. So if all goes well I should be back on the road next week - vibration free! And hopefully a bit quicker round the corners.

I have just measured mine at 28.4 mm.

Rallye, I am new to this game, and buying bits everyday at the moment. I have to say though it is no money pit compared to other things I have fettled. I am sure it could be, but I am finding there is a lot of good secondhand gear around here and on ebay, and the new stuff is not too badly priced at the lower levels I inabit. I am finding it just about possible to ebay enough old stuff to keep on top of the Caterham habit....so far...

I am a novice to the 7 and fitted one today easy enough - though my suspension was already off the car. The most time consuming part was finding the correct UNF threaded bolts for the second hand bar I bought. If you get a new bar with the correct bits it will be easy enough. The job was made easier following some useful tips from Nick Chan. You will have no problem if I can do it. Edited by - stevemersey on 12 Mar 2012 21:03:09

Nick, consider it sold, have sent you a message with my contact details.

Nick, is it this type? here

Lee, keep me posted on when it is available please. Steve

Nick, That sounds interesting. I am a relatively new owner and do not know all the subtle differences. Mine is de dion, and the shocks do not appear to protrude anywhere, but at the top are attached to a bolt that is reached through a removable plastic cap in the aluminium lining the boot. Does this sound right? If so let me know what you are asking. Steve

Stu, Had been thinking of a few carbon projects - de dion tube probably a bit ambitious to start on but who knows! Probably go for something less critical first off.

Anyone? Be particularly handy if near to Liverpool.

Stu, I make carbon fibre products…mainly tubes. Though I do not often admit to it publicly!

I have just had my carbon dash out to repaint. It was fitted some time ago by the previous owner, and is made from wet lay up with loads of little pits at the interstices between the tows. Driving me mad trying to get a good finish on it. Are they all like that? Oh it weighs very little though!

I did this recently on my Zetec with the help of a friend. I rested the engine on a piece of 3 x 2 timber so the ring gear teeth were biting into it. On its own the wood would not hold it tight but then I enlisted a friend wearing stout boots, he braced the ring gear with the sole of his boot, and his heel pressing on the timber, while I used a long wrench on the bolts. Not elegant but it worked. Or of course an air wrench will do the job. Edited by - stevemersey on 29 Feb 2012 21:21:44

Encouraging to here as they have my gearbox at the moment for an overhaul and longer first gear. Can't wait to get it back!

I was in the same position last week with my zetec. In the end it proved easy to remove and weigh to satisfy my curiosity. Edited by - stevemersey on 18 Feb 2012 18:04:51

I think it is this one fitted. here Edited by - stevemersey on 16 Feb 2012 21:20:31