Gearbox

Hi all; I know this is a long shot, but does anyone have a original or reproduction horn push for an early S2 that they could spare? This is the one that would fit the Springall wood steering wheel. I know Redline had them at one time. Picture below, Thanks

Interested in the seats, I'll send you a PM, Thanks Allan

Just to wrap up this thread, I finally figured it out. I found the original 109e Cosy head and the port was there, thanks Ron. But after cleaning it up a bit, it struck me as fine threads. So of course I threaded the sender into the hole and eureka, it threads in perfectly. Go figure, I checked the threads again on the sender and the 18 pitch gauge didn't look like it fitted, but again the 14 was much closer. But the thread in question was a straight 5/16-18 thread. Didn't realize that they would had used a standard thread for a water jacket and not a pipe thread, but see that the design was where the brass sender tube has a step which seats on the block, so when the nut is tightened, it seals the tube from leaking, so the threads didn't need to have a water tight seal. But now this raises another issue, the 116e block has a much thinner wall where the hole goes so it will be difficult to drill a stepped hole and then expect to have the nut tighten all the way. So I figure tap the head with a standard 3/8 or 1/2 NPT, and get a 5/16-18 female and NPT male adapter and hope they make one with the stepped bore I need. The fun just never stops lol. Anyway, thanks for the help and you know what they say, even a broken watch is right twice a day.

And I have been catching up on all my missed Top Gear Programs. It'll be like they never left lol.

Ron; Thank you, I'm using a 116e head that had been flowed with larger valves and see that it has a 1/8 NPT threaded hole that is too small for this gauge. I could easily drill another hole and thread it, but have no clue on what thread size to use. The thread on the gauge has a 14 pitch, and measures about 0.60" across the threads and I have yet to figure out what this thread is. It doesn't match any standard NPT sizes nor BSP sizes. So I am still stuck, any ideas? Also, is the water pump thread hole just closed up with a threaded cap? Thanks again Allan

Hi all; Have a bit of a head scratcher that I hope the more experienced can help me out on. I have collected all the period correct gauges for my 1962 Lotus Super Seven and now figuring out how they are fitted. The question for today is about the water temp gauge. I am assuming that the sender is inserted into the water pump. There is a 5/8-20 threaded bung on the water pump outlet. The sender has a 14 pitch thread which I had assumed was a 1/4 NPT, but the 1/4 NPT has a 18 pitch thread. So I looked at BSP sizes and see that it also has a different pitch of 19, and the only pipe threading which has 14 pitch was 1/2 which as we know, is like 3/4" in diameter and way too big. The diameter of the threads on the sender is about 9/16 but normal threads would be 12, 18, and 24. So I am at a loss or missing the obvious. Any help ot there? thanks Allan

Will this work for you? I believe it from a Escort Mexico.

Looking for a wet sump for my 1340cc with a 6 bolt crank. Any Cortina/Lotus/Pinto oil pan will work with a front sump. Thanks Allan

LOL, you are too funny Tony.

Thanks Tony, and great picture! Do you have one showing the rear tires? I'm running 8.5" rear fenders (original was 7.5"?) and don't want to dwarf the wheels inside the fender wells. I am not opposed to using wheel spacers, but don't want to exceed 1". Also what size rear fenders are you using? Thanks Allan

Thanks Tony, but 145's instead of 155's? Is that the original fitment? also, did these tires require tubes for this rim? Thanks Allan

Just finished up restoring my set of 13" x 4.5" steel rims for my 1962 Lotus Super Seven. I assume the newer equivalent to the original 155 R13's would be 155 80 13 or a 165 70 13. The only thing I can find in this size are in Kumos which I have on my Elan but wondering if anyone knew of any other options. Also noticed that these rims do not have a bead on the inside, so will I need to fit tubes inside the tires with these rims? Thanks Allan

LOL, at least I'm not the only old fart on this board

LOL, Welcome to the new world. Show me one car reviewer that is not biased in some way and I'll show you an unemployed car reviewer. All these guys have some kind of bias or attitude including the now popular Chris Harris who says the Miata is a shit box and is a horrible drive despite having sold over a million cars and raced extensively in SCCA. What you fail to see is that this is all just entertainment, and getting attention and a laugh is their jobs. This is not true factual reporting in any stretch of the imagination, but the subjective opinions of 3 guys who's main objective is to get you to keep on tuning in each week. Whether you agree with them or not, like them or not, it is inconsequential as there are millions of fans that do, driving the TG product revenues to 30 million a year. And speaking about factual reporting, show me one un biased news caster these days, they aren't any. The days of true reporters like Walter Cronkite and Chet Brinkley are over and all we have now is either right wing or left wing entertainers who report the news in their "special way" to insight fear and to divide our country even more that it already is. "Never let the facts stand in the way of a good story" seems to be the narrative these days, especially if it promotes your slanted way of thinking. So being indignant and pissed off at some stupid entertainment show is just silly. There are many more things you should be indignant and pissed off about that will affect your lifestyle, income, pension, and even if you will be allowed to keep or drive those great cars you own.

Thanks John, email sent, Allan

I got mine from Tony Ingram at Fast Sevens, you could also try Dave Bean. Good luck Allan

The good thing is that the bushings do not have a metal sleeve bonded to them. If all else fails, burn baby burn. I had a rear Elan wishbone bushing that was not budging, and a bit of heat from a propane touch melted them out but left the thin outer shell in the arm. After an hour of working it with a hack saw blade, making two cuts and careful not to cut the arm, they chiseled out with a screw driver. Not the most elegant of solutions, but the things we have to do sometimes. Good luck, and remember, you are having fun.

Clarkson, Hammond, and May are now hosting an on the road show that was planned before the drama unfolded. Needless to say, they will not be using the TG name nor able to use any product of the old show including the Stig. But it appears that this may be a good launching pad for a new series. Also it was reported that Andy Wilman (Exec Prod) has also resigned from the BBC. It's amazing how fast Clarkson got back on the air, if you didn't know better, it almost seems it was all planned lol.

Hi Stewart; I'm in Westfield NJ and would be interested in the bar. PM Sent, Thanks Allan

Time will tell, but usually that is not the case. Just look at any popular show that aired where the cast was drastically changed. The US Top Gear for example was supposed to be an exact copy using the UK formula, but it failed miserably and subsequently cancelled. So has any other show that tried to copy the same theme. Plus you cannot discount human behavior, we become familiar and comfortable with a certain dynamic or personality and anything that is substituted will ring false and be uncomfortable to watch. But TG was the brainchild of Clarkson and Andy Wilman, the Executive Producer, both had equal shares until Clarkson sold his stake for 20 million to the BBC in 2003. But my point is that what makes you believe the entire show was developed solely by the producers and Clarkson didn't have any creative input nor masterminded all of the plot lines? Outside of the Executive Producer, all the other producers are hired and fired at will as well as the writers. After all, the assistant producer in question was responsible for the catering for the crew. So no, I do not believe Clarkson will be so easy to replace and the BBC really shot themselves in the foot as no one was complaining about his actions, not the public nor the assistant producer who was punched.

Seems that is there may be more afoot. Tymon, the assistant producer, appears to have had some kind of love hate relationship with Clarkson for quite some time. This was not the first time they threw down and has often traded insults and heated words. They would settle their differences by drinking themselves into a stupor, part as friends and then start the entire cycle over again. Tymon did not press charges or even comment on the incident and it was Clarkson who reported it to the BBC. No police charges had been pressed. The timing is also interesting as all the presenters on the show have their contracts to be renewed at the same time. As of date, May and Hammond have made comments suggesting that they will not continue with the show, despite the BBC expressing interest in keeping the show ongoing without Clarkson. My take is that Clarkson, whether you love him, hate him, or indifferent, is a valuable commodity. So egos aside, I believe May and Hammond also understand this. Let's face it, none of the copy cat shows such as 5th gear, Top Gear USA, or anything else has even come close. It is almost never the show that causes us to return each week, rather the personalities. Just like when Charlie Sheen had his meltdown and was replaced, the show was never the same and subsequently cancelled. But why go through all this drama to leave a show when the contracts were about to expire? One thought is all the renewed interest in the show which has become part of our routine weekly diet, and perhaps to prevent any backlash to the presenters as being money hungry and greedy. Whether it be for money, creative control, or what ever else, I believe the three can write their own ticket at this point and am sure that there is already a line forming at Clarkson's door or arrangements that had already been put in place. Plus great positioning as Clarkson is now looked upon as the victim and the BBC as the bad guys. But what ever the scenario, I have to believe the show will be back with the original presenters in one form or another.

The plot thickens, as you may have heard, Clarkson had went on a rant at some charity event auctioning off a lap around the Top Gear Test Track. Basically after venting on all the BBC executives, his parting remark was something like "should I get fired, so be it." While the media is playing this up as heightened tensions between the BBC and Clarkson and perhaps a peak at secret conversations, my satirical side tells me that this may be a PR stroke of genius. Just look at all the free airplay and conversations this has started, including this thread. The millions of people signing petitions and calling for Clarkson's reinstatement. And strangely enough, the assistant producer has not materialized and I have yet to see any calls for his resignation. Very well orchestrated if you ask me. But the BBC has ended their investigation, gathered all the evidence, and we should be hearing shortly. The BBC has decided to air the remaining taped episodes and speculation of replacement candidates abound. But should Jeremy be replaced, I think we all know it will not be the same. Just like the US Top Gear, it will be just a lame copy.

No need to, I think there is a mail order service somewhere on the web.

The BBC stands to lose 50 million GBP, or about 85 million USD, from foreign distribution rights, not to mention a drop of 4 million viewers since he has been off the air. From the BBC's stand point, I could see it as risk management for potential future litigation. After all, from what I understand, Jeremy assaulted an assistant producer merely for not arranging for a hot meal after a long shooting day. Was there a heated exchange between the two which ticked Jeremy off, or was it just his Prima Donna coming out? Neither is known at this point, but in either case, you know there will be a potential lawsuit. So the BBC is just mitigating it's role, not to mention liability, in this matter by acting indignant which is smart. But needless to say, I think this is all play acting. The BBC is not going to lose it's largest revenue stream, and I am sure that they will get Jeremy to publicly apologise, and pay a quiet settlement to the assistant producer coupled with big a promotion. Nice to be that assistant producer now, or should I say executive producer lol.

Just to wrap this thread up, I am still unable to find the correct U joint. Bean sent me a couple of standard joints, and again they were .100" too wide side to side. So without any other options I decided to mill down each side of the cross by 0.050". The roller bearings still had enough race surface on the cross and it seems to work. Really hate jury rigging like this, but had no other option. Hopefully one day someone will tell me what I missed, but for the life of me, I have no clue what it could be.