papak

The Kirkey seats are well made and reasonably priced. They also come in a variety of widths. The seatcovers incorporate the contoured padding. I picked up a pair for my Birkin and modified them to fit. Use a carbide disc to remove the edge beading and save it. After using a saber saw to trim to size, the edge bead can be welded back in place. Just hit it with a mapp torch to anneal it into place. Any upholstery shop can modify the covers to fit. Check their website.

Thanks

Found it on Jegs. Clevite B31861. Thanks to all

Sorry for the mis-orientation.

I am looking for the gasket that goes between the coil mount and the head, not between the coil and the mount. I got the same search results. Thanks

Can any of you provide the Ford (or Mazda) part number for the gasket for the water inlet/coil stand at the back of the cylinder head for a Duratec? I have a dumb Ford dealer near me and the online options are limited. TIA

If it's that clean, it's an exotic. If it has the usual rust and wiring problems.....

I recently acquired a Newton cap for my Birkin and have an unused locking gas cap assembly available. The exterior diameter of the neck is 51mm. Two keys included. $50 plus shipping

As I continue to build my Birkin, I find myself disappointed in only a couple of areas. Some of the hardware is a bit funky and the switches seem a bit flimsy. I have replaced a fair number of the bolts with 10.9 and 12.9 quality stuff. Now that I am wiring the dash, I would like to replace the plastic rocker switches with toggles. Has anyone else gone this route? The real headscratchers are the hazard light and two-speed wiper switches. Tom Carlin has been wonderfully patient with my calls about this. The basic problem is that the wiring diagram is pretty simplified and devoid of any descriptive information. TIA

I have one available for a Caterham/Duratec.

After reviewing the various references, I have seen the lubricant quantity range from 1.9 to 2.4 liters. What gives? No pressure vent either?

I have one under construction in West LA. I picked it up from Tom at the end of February. The transmission is due to arrive on Friday.

I have an older MBE ECU (MBE 967EF) that is no longer supported. Looking for a cost-effective ECU for this motor. TIA

I just ordered an OMP TRS-E ES from Pegasus to try. Definitely narrow enough to fit in the chassis. I am still a bit concerned about the "butt capacity". About $400.

I am looking for a reasonably priced source for WeatherPak electrical connectors and rod end seals. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Anyone have any experience with the Corbeau A4? It seems to fit the car and the pricing is reasonable.

If you go the Duratec route, I have a complete Caterham exhaust system for it (header to hangar). Not sure of your chassis but if it's a Birkin, Tom Carlin, the distributor in Vail, has specific motor mounts for it as well as the appropriate bell housing and other bits unique to the Duratec installation.. If you go this route and decide not to use the Laminova, PM me. I might be in the market for one.

Although the Birkin XS is wider in the cockpit, the width for the seat base is still 18" at the floor. When raised up by sitting on a slider or fixed mount, there is probably 18.5-18.75" clearance. I am looking for decent, somewhat comfortable seats that might fit this chassis. I have looked at the Sparco Sprint and the OMP TRS, the two narrowest I can find. The Sparco dimensions show 19.3" at the front and 16.15" at the rear. The OMP shows 18.9". Anyone have experience with another option? The Birkin seats are a fiberglass shell with upholstered pads installed. OK but not my first choice. Kirkey has some that would fit but that's a little more "track commitment" than I am interested in. TIA

I picked up my XS kit at Tom's shop in Vail. Great guy and the shop is full of interesting stuff. He has been nothing but gracious and accommodating in fielding all of my dumb questions. The construction manual is pretty thin so I have certainly had my fair share. The only items that I have upgraded are some of the hardware. I am building mine with a mild 2.3l Duratec and a Subaru R160 LSD diff. As to the weight issue, I have a Caterham exhaust in the shop and I guess it weighs maybe 20 lbs. more than the Birkin setup, mainly due to the heavier gauge tubing and larger muffler.

I am about 50% through the build on my XS. Tom has been a pleasure to deal with. Having own/built/restored race cars for 40 years, I have to say that the build quality is very good. Well thought out engineering. I am pushing to get mine on the road this fall. Once done, I should have time to go through all the construction photos and reconstruct the build process. The clutch is due to arrive today and the gearbox in about three weeks. Actually starting to look like a car now!

Sold!

Fits the 2.0l, not the 2.3l that I have. Cleaned and the exterior painted with satin aluminum engine enamel. $40.00

Make me an offer. I need to move it out of the shop.

My Ford shop manual doesn't address the tightening of the crankshaft dampener bolt. Is the side alignment bolt sufficient to hold it against the torque application? I have heard both sides of the argument but figure there is an "experience-based" solution out there. Just trying to exercise caution on this one. TIA

I have a factory stainless steel exhaust system from Caterham for a Duratec (either 2.0 or 2.3) It is used but in fine serviceable condition. I would have used it but it won't work with my Birkin chassis. It comes in three sections, header, collector and muffler. I am located in LA (near LAX). $750/OBO