Kitcat

The Indy circuit spent $75M upgrading its facility and the last F1 race there featured all of 6 cars. Why wld any one risk the $ on a new facility and why wld any fan go after the indifference F1 showed to the fans at the last F1 race at Indy?

Ahhh, the oil lines.... Well, I just finished the oil change and pulled off the oil cooler and drained it and refilled it-I wld estimate it holds abt 2-3 oz's. Never thot abt the oil lines tho. Since I change my oil every 1-2K none of it ever gets too dirty. Mike

Thx Bart (I shudda asked 12K miles ago:)). If Martin hadn't mentioned in passing on his gas-filed engine post it never wld have occurred to me. Mike

Does the Caterham oil cooler need to separately drained when doing an oil change? Or, does the oil cooler drain using the standard technique? My understanding is the Crossflow has a 4 quart oil capacity, but I never seem to be able to get more than 3 quarts in when changing the oil & filter. Mike

There is a stunning looking Vintage 550 Spyder listed for sale at Lotustalk.com, under "Cars for sale-Not Lotus". Claimed to be 1300 lbs, 190 hp at the wheels, fully sorted, etc., $28.5K. Mite be best not to look, it is so beautiful:)!

My #'s are identical to Dingo's. I mite see 40 lbs at high RPM's (6.5K redline). I am similarly skeptical of the oil pressure gauge's accuracy Mike

Skip: Thanks, that helps, I will give it a shot this weekend. Mike

Jon, et al: Any chance you have some photos/diagrams that you could post detailing the critical bolts, column locks, bushings, shafts, sleeves, for steering wheel/column disassembly? I have a non-working horn and am advised that repair can be effected only if the steering wheel & hub are removed along w/possibly the upper shaft. Thx, Mike

Har, har har, them librals had it comin!

Do a search here for "wink" for some threads about a mirror many of us use and like on our Se7ens.

Also had the identical problem in the identical area last year on my '97 Caterham, built in '98. I assumed this was atypical but it sounds like a common issue at this point. I ordered Caterham spec rivets from Sevens and Elans tho used hardware store rivets short term as I wanted to be on the road quickly. Mike

Bruce: I am from Meadville, a small town in western PA. When I was a kid (late 40's-early 60's) this town of about 14K people was booming. Now it's a shell. What happened? First, the two largest factories shut down taking 6000 jobs and all the related secondary jobs. Good for Mexico/China, bad for PA. Second, strip malls opened just out side of town with big box stores (Walmart, etc) selling things (from China) for a fraction of what the once thriving concentration of mom and pop stores in the town charged. So the business heart of the town was gutted and the tax base migrated to just out side the city limits. Now they cant operate the traffic lights (stop signs are replacing them) or fix their bridges, etc., etc. It's pretty grim there with a future that is murky at best. Mike

Bump. Still lots of spaces. Steve (bball), are you heading to this? Mike

Consider offering it to Ivey Engines in Portland. They build/rebuild/tune Formula Ford engines that start life as exactly what you have for sale. They have complained that there is a diminishing supply of basic engines to use for Formula Ford. Mike

Excellent info, thx! (Chance favors the prepared:)). Mike

My friends at Predator Motorsport (http://www.predatormotorsport.com) are again hosting their annual track day at Putnam Park race track in Indiana. You will get more track time than at any other 1 day event: there are 2 run groups,fast/experienced and slow/novice. Typically they are combined mid-afternoon. It is a safe venue (lots of runoff areas) and a good place for cars with modest horsepower but excellent handling.Not that high hp cars can't stretch their legs-the 'Vettes hit 140+ mph on the straight (to my 105 mph). Cost $275 and you can sign up on their website. I will be there in my Se7en, weather permitting, otherwise a tintop. See you at the track, Mike

Sold for asking price to a lucky buyer in California, per Chris T.

Yeah, and with surfers in the water in the background. Way to rub it in. It was 5 degrees here yesterday, 16 today. Hey, I went skiing a few days ago, that was fun: just like driving a Se7en, except slower and quieter. Mike

Sweet! Where is the chassis, engine, etc.? I was under the impression that it was built and ready to roll???? And what more reg steps? Mike

Finally saw the new Panamerica. Its somewhat ungainly shape didn't improve with an in-person viewing. And man, it seems huge! Its 196 inches long, 76 wide and 4000+ lbs. The sheer bulk, more than the somewhat odd shape, was the biggest surprise. I am predicting it will be an epic flop and that deep discounts will be needed to move the cars and that the resale value will be terrible. Hopefully I am wrong as I am a big Porsche admirer. Mike

Drive more, and farther and spend less on "upgrades". (Two out of three wouldn't be bad:)). Mike

Do Caterhams have VIN #'s? I know mine has a # but I don't think it is strictly a VIN#, not as many digits or something??? Anyhow, congrats on being so close. And you may actually be able to drive it, unlike the rest of us snowed-in, salted-in residents of the northern climes. Chris T built my car and did an excellent job. He has also been a very helpful resource, tho I know not everyone has had happy experiences w/his shop. Mike

Impressive. Any big hills along the way? Did the tail try to wag the dog?

Al, how much lighter will the S2 be, or, what is the projected weight? Mike M.

It is way cool! It looks very tight inside tho. Is there room for you to climb around inside and tie down the car, etc.?