Mr C Bored

Great few days away with good friends, doing Crois en Ternois and Abbeville with Lotus on Track. /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/147/WLW-QuickTripToFrance_11581-P1030519_thumb.jpg /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/147/WLW-QuickTripToFrance_11581-P1030465_thumb.jpg Mark 355GTS has sold his 7, and now has this very nice Porsche 968 CS /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/147/WLW-QuickTripToFrance_11581-206_thumb_1.jpg /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/147/WLW-QuickTripToFrance_11581-180_thumb.jpg /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/147/WLW-QuickTripToFrance_11581-208_thumb.jpg Burning rubber! Thanks to Mark C fro the pics. /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/147/WLW-QuickTripToFrance_11581-P1030469_thumb.jpg /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/147/WLW-QuickTripToFrance_11581-Endless-Chase_2_thumb_1.gif Endless Chase!! /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/147/WLW-QuickTripToFrance_11581-P1030525_thumb.jpg Still enough to get home! /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/147/WLW-QuickTripToFrance_11581-P1030534_thumb.jpg The Seven Paddock /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/147/WLW-QuickTripToFrance_11581-P1030589_thumb.jpg Signs of a good day! /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/147/WLW-QuickTripToFrance_11581-P1030604_thumb.jpg /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/147/WLW-QuickTripToFrance_11581-P1030610_thumb.jpg Bring on Abbeville!

Those hatchback type carriers would be a bit wobbly on the FIA bar I think Alex, but this system seems very very solid. Could be that there is a Thule clamp that fits the roll bar even better...

Roof bars are Atera (or similar) - similar to Thule. Clamps are pretty adjustable - they would clamp onto a smaller radius non-FIA bar. But I want to tweak ths aspect - a subtle trim of the rubber pad in the clamps would get them to fit better and more snuggly...work in progress!

Since taking up Mountain Biking with a group of local fellow-Seveners, we had the dilemma of taking the 7 on a trip, OR the bikes. Not any more! Look away purists… /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/82/WLW-BikeRack_10E42-Rack1_thumb.jpg Just in time for the cold, dark winter – I have finally got round to rigging a set-up that allows us to take the bikes on the 7 and so enjoy the best of both worlds. I had originally intended to design and make my own rack, using various components sourced from rack manufacturers, but a ‘eureka’ moment in the car park led me to try the existing model that I had been using for 2 years on the top of our tin-top. If I could use this, I would have a tried and tested method for securing the bikes. /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/82/WLW-BikeRack_10E42-Rack2_thumb.jpg My Enduro is actually quite a big, long MTB, but fits perfectly. Sure enough, it all fits surprisingly easily! The clamps are just about big enough to clamp onto the FIA Bar, there is clearance all round so that one can still open the boot, and everything is very solid. I just need to tweak a little bit of the rubber grip to enable a slightly better fit on the round tubing, but apart from that – it is ready to go! I have used a strap on the top bar for testing purposes, just in case – but local drives show that nothing shifts. /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/82/WLW-BikeRack_10E42-Rack8_thumb.jpg Fitting support bike perfectly. /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/82/WLW-BikeRack_10E42-Rack4_thumb.jpg I shall work on this fixing to make it fit a little better, but it is secure. /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/82/WLW-BikeRack_10E42-Rack6_thumb.jpg Still have access to the boot, and I think a half-hood could fit if required. With 2 bikes on the rack, everything is even more solid, as fixing the bikes together using a bracing bar stops any sideways wobble. /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/82/WLW-BikeRack_10E42-Rack3_thumb.jpg /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/82/WLW-BikeRack_10E42-Rack5_thumb.jpg Bracing two bikes together makes things even more solid. The rig is just about low enough to fit in our garage like this, so it also solves bike storage. The type of rack I am using also comes with locks, so the bikes are locked to the rack, the bike rack components are locked to the roof bars, and the roof bars are locked to the car! /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/82/WLW-BikeRack_10E42-Rack7_thumb.jpg Yes, ok – it all looks a bit odd, but it now means that we will start using the 7 a little bit more, as we can take the bikes with us down to parents on the Quantocks, and enjoy the good riding, and the good driving. Hopefully we will get down to the Alps again, but this time we can take the 7 with us to enjoy the great roads. Even better – with standard roof-rack fittings retained, there is the option of adding a ‘roof box’ for those longer trips! /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/82/WLW-BikeRack_10E42-Track10_thumb.jpg

Relating to Tech Talk topic… /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/73/WLW-RearAntiRollBarSettings_B877-ARBsettings_thumb.jpg

Hi dave! Hey, look I left it in white for you at the top! Reminds me you left a comment before about coming down to Cranleigh - excellent news! Let me know when you are down here!

/Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/70/WLW-WeddingCakeCar_C355-000_thumb.jpg Following a Blatchat plea for a suitably sized car for a wedding cake, I offered to convert a small Hornby kit I had. So armed with a can of the correct coloured paint, and a handful of pictures, here is the result! Kevin had helped me out in the past, so it was a pleasure to be able to return the favour! /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/70/WLW-WeddingCakeCar_C355-001_thumb.jpg The kit is a 1:32 scale of a 2002 race car – about the most modern model of a Caterham/7 I have seen actually. /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/70/WLW-WeddingCakeCar_C355-002_thumb.jpg It is very basic, but goes together well enough… /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/70/WLW-WeddingCakeCar_C355-004_thumb.jpg /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/70/WLW-WeddingCakeCar_C355-005_thumb.jpg Modified the roll bar to FIA spec! /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/70/WLW-WeddingCakeCar_C355-007_thumb.jpg I wasn’t going to the levels of detail of the other models for this – after all, it is just for a wedding cake, but at the same time I wanted to make sure it looked like Kev’s car, so needed to add some headrests! /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/70/WLW-WeddingCakeCar_C355-006_thumb.jpg Penny shows scale of the fire extinguisher – this is mounted between the front seats, so is pretty prominent. /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/70/WLW-WeddingCakeCar_C355-008_thumb.jpg Caterham logo on the wheels! /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/70/WLW-WeddingCakeCar_C355-009_thumb.jpg Another scaling shot – printed off a dashboard and logo. Black surround for windscreen. /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/70/WLW-WeddingCakeCar_C355-010_thumb.jpg /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/70/WLW-WeddingCakeCar_C355-011_thumb.jpg Thought seat belts would be a nice touch – printed on paper. Fire extinguisher mounted! /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/70/WLW-WeddingCakeCar_C355-012_thumb.jpg Due to the similarity in colour I couldn’t resist showing the car next to the 1:12 version – Kev, your car is on the left – don’t expect the other one! /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/70/WLW-WeddingCakeCar_C355-013_thumb.jpg /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/70/WLW-WeddingCakeCar_C355-016_thumb.jpg /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/70/WLW-WeddingCakeCar_C355-017_thumb.jpg Should really have parked our real 7 behind for this shot… /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/70/WLW-WeddingCakeCar_C355-015_thumb.jpg /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/70/WLW-WeddingCakeCar_C355-014_thumb.jpg Have a cracking day Kevin & Jessica, so pleased to have been able to contribute in a very small (1:32) way!

A few pictures from earlier this evening when we went down to Dunsfold to set up about 250 cones for the Slalom/Hooning Day. /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/69/WLW-DunsfoldSetUp_1BFB-DSC08177_thumb.jpg The all-important L7Club ‘Blue Cone’ – it all starts from here!! /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/69/WLW-DunsfoldSetUp_1BFB-DSC08179_thumb.jpg /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/69/WLW-DunsfoldSetUp_1BFB-DSC08184_thumb.jpg Right – where do we start now!! /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/69/WLW-DunsfoldSetUp_1BFB-DSC08196_thumb.jpg Well – I did have a map – until it was run over by Peter! /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/69/WLW-DunsfoldSetUp_1BFB-DSC08181_thumb.jpg These things are not light – Peter is showing off! /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/69/WLW-DunsfoldSetUp_1BFB-DSC08182_thumb.jpg /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/69/WLW-DunsfoldSetUp_1BFB-DSC08183_thumb.jpg /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/69/WLW-DunsfoldSetUp_1BFB-DSC08186_thumb.jpg /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/69/WLW-DunsfoldSetUp_1BFB-DSC08189_thumb.jpg Steve leads the way… /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/69/WLW-DunsfoldSetUp_1BFB-DSC08194_thumb.jpg …and others follow! /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/69/WLW-DunsfoldSetUp_1BFB-DSC08199_thumb.jpg Slalom cones ready for launch… /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/69/WLW-DunsfoldSetUp_1BFB-DSC08202_thumb.jpg …launched! /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/69/WLW-DunsfoldSetUp_1BFB-DSC08201_thumb.jpg /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/69/WLW-DunsfoldSetUp_1BFB-DSC08204_thumb.jpg PUB! Hope you all enjoy the slalom!

/Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/67/WLW-FuelSenderPictures_80E-fuelsender0_thumb.jpg To support a Tech Talk topic – here is what a well worn fuel level sender looks like! 100,000 miles of fuel and moving up and down had finally worn through the fine wires! /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/67/WLW-FuelSenderPictures_80E-fuelsender3a_thumb_1.jpg /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/67/WLW-FuelSenderPictures_80E-FuelSender1_thumb.jpg /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/67/WLW-FuelSenderPictures_80E-fuelsender2_thumb.jpg /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/67/WLW-FuelSenderPictures_80E-FuelSender3_thumb.jpg /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/67/WLW-FuelSenderPictures_80E-Fuelsender4_thumb.jpg Rust probably wasn’t helping signal!

Hi mate! Excellent write up - sounds like you had fun! I really must try this sprint lark one day soon, and write ups like this are just what is needed to encourage newby's! Well done for taking the leap, and sounds like you did really well on the day aswell....cheers!

/Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/48/WLW-EngineOutBlatchatSupport_15106-banner_thumb.jpg Ok – a couple of pictures to support a tech posting on Blatchat, about taking an engine out. See here: http://www.blatchat.com/t.asp?Id=168183 I’ve got a few pictures to post which may help with some elements. Main element you need is a ‘Mark Collins’ who has a nice garage with a nice winch. This helps a great deal. /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/48/WLW-EngineOutBlatchatSupport_15106-c_thumb.jpg The picture above does show where we have looped the strops around the engine – these positions will be different if you are lifting the gearbox out at the same time, in order to balance the load: /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/48/WLW-EngineOutBlatchatSupport_15106-j_thumb.jpg Carpet or similar over the front of the chassis will stop a swinging engine scraping your powder coating on the chassis rails: /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/48/WLW-EngineOutBlatchatSupport_15106-1_thumb.jpg The next picture shows the engine going ‘in’ – note the apollo tank still connected, but tied up on-top of the engine. The breather pipe has been disconnected to enable this: /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/48/WLW-EngineOutBlatchatSupport_15106-2_thumb.jpg Also note the jack at the front of the car that has been used to raise the car and make the entry angle of the gearbox better. /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/48/WLW-EngineOutBlatchatSupport_15106-3_thumb.jpg Engine (and car) fully lowered. I made a quick video clip using the pictures that were taken during the process of the engine being put back in the car, as seen above. It is almost brilliant – but sadly we didn’t actually take any pictures of the moment the engine is finally lowered in place – so we have just before, and fully in – next time I take the engine out I’ll take some more pictures, as it could be useful… A winch on a rail above the car certainly makes life easier – but you can do the same with an engine crane…. /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/48/WLW-EngineOutBlatchatSupport_15106-h_thumb.jpg *WARNING* – when doing so, always remember to undo the fixings holding the engine in the car (mounts, cables, etc etc) BEFORE trying to lift the engine out…. /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/48/WLW-EngineOutBlatchatSupport_15106-wrongway_thumb.jpg Some more shots of the engine bay, again showing the strapped-up apollo tank. Also note the location of straps… /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/48/WLW-EngineOutBlatchatSupport_15106-d_thumb.jpg Engine Out: /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/48/WLW-EngineOutBlatchatSupport_15106-k_thumb_1.jpg Slightly more serious warning – make sure you connect the pipes up again in the correct place. If someone accidently should connect the fuel and coolant pipes the wrong way around on the intake manifold, this is the result… /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/48/WLW-EngineOutBlatchatSupport_15106-oops_thumb.jpg The shot below shows a few things. You can see where we have stuck some self-adhesive, ali-coated insulating blanket on the passenger pedal box. You can see the clutch release bearing – if you are taking the engine out for something else, and you have never touched the bearing, may be worth at least checking, and maybe replacing anyway… /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/48/WLW-EngineOutBlatchatSupport_15106-i_thumb.jpg BUT – more importantly, note the strap that is holding the gearbox up once the engine has been removed. The strap is wrapped around a black metal bar that has been placed on-top of the chassis. Advantage of doing this, as opposed to using a jack to support the gearbox, is that it is far easier to move the car around, which can be useful when lowering the engine back into the car – trying to co-ordinate rolling the car and a jack that is under the gearbox can be a pain… Just found another shot of the same principle: /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/48/WLW-EngineOutBlatchatSupport_15106-DSC02952_thumb.jpg When lifting the engine/gearbox assembly, be aware that it gets pretty close to the pedal box/footwell near the bell housing-this is pre-rebuild… /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/48/WLW-EngineOutBlatchatSupport_15106-DSC02957_thumb.jpg Oh yes – whilst you have the engine out, check the engine mounts. They can look ok when the engine is in and stationary, but look closely… /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/48/WLW-EngineOutBlatchatSupport_15106-DSC00755_thumb.jpg And finally – here is one of the easier engine installation jobs we have undertaken. To be honest, we just chucked it in… /Portals/14/Blog/Files/15/48/WLW-EngineOutBlatchatSupport_15106-card1_thumb.jpg

Cheers Dave! Yep, VW undergoing some pretty serious body work welding - I've cut out the entire front arches and am currently replacing them with 'original' ones cut from a similarly aged, but less rusty, van. Big job for a first attempt, but going ok so far! Need to get teh thing MOT'd in time for our 24hr MTB event in about 4 weeks - so no pressure....

Came across this video recently, which I took when Jason was working on our engine. You need sound (obviously) to hear our K-series engine breathing… Incidentally – and I am not sure if this is true or not – but in this clip you can see the ‘K’ shaped casting of the bearing ladder (not sure if that is the correct name either!) that supposedly gave the engine its ‘K-Series’ name – as I say, may not be true!

Hi PP - never seen/heard of 'Click'- is it in TV? Nope, just playing around with some pictures after someone posted a link on Blatchat a few weeks ago - paulyb then posted a link to a website where you can create your own 'fake' tiltshift pics - works really well, link is in my blog above! - cheers

Cheers guys - Steve, been meaning to join up with you guys sometime soon! Just got to get some tyres sorted out first!