brumster

I don't know where you are, but I would really recommend http://www.105speed.com/

Al's right, boycotting one forecourt does absolutely nothing. The only way you'll drive down the price of the stuff is to buy it less - old supply and demand - which means using the car less, or reducing how much fuel you use. I don't believe the UK is the worst in the world with how much of our fuel cost is tax. I'd love to see everyone in the UK down the car for a day and try and go about their business by public transport, just to give the government the message can you imagine the chaos? The lost income for corporations?! Imagine a week-long refusal to use anything that involved buying petrol or diesel from a forecourt anywhere in the UK, and to use the so-called alternatives that we apparently have at our hand ....

If you do end up taking it somewhere I can recommend Centre Gravity near Atherstone - little bit closer for you. Didn't do my Hood (although lord knows I'm toying with the idea!) but I've had discussions with him about my other car and he's very knowledgeable, respected in his field (particularly with Porsches) and has all the kit. Prices you'd have to discuss with him. http://www.centergravity.co.uk/ He really takes time to listen to you, understand how you want the car to handle, and tailor his recommendations/work to what you ask for. Cheers, Dan

It was indeed! Thanks Gaz for organising. Sorry we had to depart early

Nice idea - my 6 year old would probably like to join in! One for you :- "C855 YVM is powered by what?" Answer - "Rover". I don't have any other stickers or distinguishing marks on the car, other than a creased bonnet where father-in-law kicked over a load of wheels onto it

Gaz - myself and the missus will be coming along provided we can bribe nanny into child-sitting duties. Failing that, I will at least be there myself

I recently swapped to a 3.9 from a 3.6 as it suits the car use and engine more. The 3.62 was a nice setup but with a revvy motor and only occassional fun use, it really didn't warrant it. So I got the BGH uprated HD gearkit with tall 1st and short 5th, and dropped a 3.92 in. Much nicer; suits the car more and with only 110-odd bhp in a heavy old Exmo it punts along just a little nicer. With a grunty 2-litre lump you would be fine with a 3.6... mind you I've never seen RH's as long tourers so would always plump for the shorter, sportier gearing I think!

So on page 6, someone put me out of my misery, am I right in thinking that's Paddy Fitch (ex-GTM) in the background behind Richard's Lambo?

I agree, but the K has kind of had it's day really. It's a cracking engine, and it's unfortunately fallen foul of lots of internet misinformation and Rover re-selling it to others who inappropriately re-packaged it (plus a few quality control issues around the head), but it can be perfectly reliable. And powerful too. But, unless you had a cheap supply on one, it doesn't really make much sense to choose it over some of the newer powerplants like the Duratec, Sigma, or Ecotec lumps. So despite having one, I'm realistic enough to not recommend it - it doesn't have enough "plus-es" to warrant the extra effort/grief.

We went from a 2.1 Pinto to a 1600 K-Series. An odd choice, maybe, but we wanted to move to something modern that would "just start and go" - more power wasn't the main concern, but more of that in a sec. The Pinto was about 130bhp; the K in standard form should be around 109! Bar the obvious engine, we had to source an appropriate bellhousing to mate it to the Type 9, appropriate clutch, modified (lengthened) propshaft, custom exhaust manifold, fuel injection related changes (like high pressure pump, piping, regulator, modified fuel tank), caterham engine mounts and a wiring loom. We also ended up doing a number of other things at the same time, some unrelated (moved to throttle bodies, an aftermarket Emerald ECU, tie bar conversion up front, different radiator setup, OBP pedal box, custom hoses, custom clutch cable) so it would be unfair to suggest all these were needed as well - but some of them made the conversion easier if a little more expensive (the pedal box, for example, freed up a lot of room in the engine bay to avoid induction system meeting vacuum servo!). I've also got the cams/valves/followers/springs to take it up to ~180bhp with the appropriate head work, but these are still in the boxes/wrappers Yep, very happy with it, car feels properly modernised. Undoubtedly easier ways than a K-Series, mind you, but we wanted to be different (this was back in '99). I'd go Duratec now. Certainly wouldn't miss putting a big lump of pig-iron in the front though If you think ~150bhp will be enough for you over the years, the Pinto option will get you there quicker, easier and cheaper as the guys have said above. If you want more, I'd invest in the engine swap now (Zetec/Duratec must be the obvious choice, but don't be put off by something different if you don't mind the challenges of a few more 'custom' parts).

I'm slowly documenting the home-made loom I made up based on a Wurth TRM. When I get it done I'll post up on here for others, but it might be a while :-S !!

Done the same here - when we built the car we had 3pt's in it but it hardly warrants it now, so I put intertia reels in it - just pulled them out of a scrapped 206. The inner mount, for the latch, was re-used. The outer mount at the seat bottom, for the end of the belt, I made a thick steel loop welded onto a flat metal plate which could then be double-bolted through the floor with appropriate spreader plate on the other side. The top mount was already in place on the (cosmetic) RH roll-over hoop, and the intertia reel mount just bolted through the monocoque in the side sections of the rear boot space - keeping their orientation as per the 206 (ie. upright). Just ensure any of the mounting points are suitably solid enough - if you're bolting through sheet metal make sure you put generous 3mm spreader plates on the other side so they're not going to pull straight through if they're called upon :-S !!

The spacers were part of the original supplied parts. To be honest, the whole setup is just wrong - you'll find the top washer was just the right diameter to sit on the inner race of the bearing. But the bearing is a radial-load type, not axial-load which is what it is being subjected to in this instance. Fitting a larger washer may spead the load a little more but won't address the bearing issue (mine was already distorting after only a few thousand miles). I have replaced these with a taper roller bearing as part of my recent rebuild - I did obtain and consider some flat thrust bearings but was concerned about them staying located/ingress of *bleep*e so went half-way house! As long as you've spread the load across a wider section of the buttress I think you'll be better off. Bearings-wise it just might mean you swapping them out a little more regularly as they collapse!

Got any pics? Depends how far the cracks have progressed - I'd make a call on whether to just weld a plate underneath it if there's enough non-cracked metal left, or whether it needs plate sandwiching on top and underneath. If you don't have access to a welder, the latter might be more useful (still located with some smaller-gauge nuts and bolts, of course - I'm not suggesting the plates are left 'free').

Ex-GTM'er myself so had to offer how are you finding the Libra?

I'm in MK twice a week and can get them back to SE Birmingham easily enough sounds like you're sorted but if it helps in any way....

Ok, took a while for the other driveshaft to come in, but it arrived this week. Just to close the topic off, there was nothing complicated about the changeover - 7" diff goes straight in, then I just sourced the later drum-braked spec shafts with the large inboard stubs, and they've gone straight in. Diff - £44 off ebay Shafts £80 and £95 non-exchange (£20 surcharge for not giving them any shafts back) Seals £10 Makes the car a little more sprightly - have to make the most of the 118bhp I've got

Yup, but I remember seeing it (is it the one where he kinda needs to straddle the lines to avoid going into the back of someone as he rounds the corner)?

No problems, sounds excellent. Let me know - like I said, no rush, project for the winter really so as and when. Cheers!

That both halves, laid up with gelcoat+2 layers minimum? They're basically moulds taken off the original Sierra cowling? Do they mount up same as the original? If so, go on then... postage sounds a bit steep but I'll let you off ;-). Can zap cash to you to avoid PayPal charges though - good old t'internet banking Drop me a PM as and when. edit: Actually, just seen the pics on your website... ;-)

Oh no mega rush - and best confirm a price with me first !!

I could do with one of those, let me know when the batch is ready!

Just realised I will be on ToT duty with the little'un first, so may not be there for 7...

Shall pop along, but unlikely to be in the Hood - still waiting on a driveshaft only been 3 weeks now! Let's face it, if the weather is anything like the last two days, it's unlikely anyway - I'd never thaw out in time for last orders.

Nuclear FTW....