11Budlite

What a face!

Skip, here's one that's been for sale for a while. It might be worth contacting Doug to see what his views on the market are: http://www.usa7s.com/vb/showthread.php?t=5658 I did a search here: http://car-part.com/index.htm The range was from $350 for a bad engine to $1950 for a remanufactured engine. Most were in the $1000-1500 range. That's the asking price, not sure what they're going for.

It does seem expensive but that BDR is nice!! :drool:

Stewart, I'm not sure what could be causing your shifting issue but it might be worth removing the top cover/shift lever/reverse & interloc switches to make sure nothing is binding before you pull the engine/gearbox. A phone call or email to one of the experts mentioned above might be worth it as well. I ended up upgrading my T9 with a BGH 2.8 sporting close gearkit several years back. The ratios are much more compatible with a light car like a Seven. If you've ever had one apart it's really not that difficult of a job. I do remember having to pick up a couple of different snap ring pliers that worked better than the ones I already had. There is some machining for clearance that has to be done, but I was able to accomplish that with a homemade tool and my drill press. It really came out well and has worked perfectly other than a slight oil leak from the input shaft seal that was fixed when I put in the proper double-lip seal. Check out Cherik's website for an excellent write-up on his BGH upgrade: http://my.voyager.net/~quadrant19/Gearbox-upgrade.html And here's a manual for the T9: http://www.biggles.net/download/Manual_Type9.pdf I have also done business with Taylor and BAT and have been satisfied with both.

Hi Rod, Check out the Lotus Seven Register. There is a picture of the early pedal assy on the picture page. Unfortunately it's from the footwell so doesn't show the master cylinders: http://www.lotus7register.co.uk/ser1page.htm (I went ahead and lightened up the photo and posted it below) You can also check out the SimpleSevens site. John D is updating the site at the moment, but he did have CD's for sale of the original site which contained a wealth of info on all Seven models. Here: http://www.simplesevens.org/ Good luck with the build and keep us updated.

Thanks for the update Tom. I thought I had a better picture of it at home but couldn't find it. I do have quite a few detail pics of the car under construction though. :drool:

Welcome Andy. It's a long shot but I believe the early Pinto 1600 and Ford Fiesta (1978-80?) also used the crossflow motor. I think Moss Motors still has an east coast facility in New Jersey.

If I owned that car I'd pick up a set of fiberglass, or better yet, some carbon fiber fenders/nose cone and drive the heck out of it. Save the aluminum stuff for shows. Yes he did, I believe it's a Volvo. Here's a couple pics I found:

Al, this is the table I remember seeing in the past. Sorry it doesn't specify the applicable years: http://eliseinfo.com/wp/lotus-paint-codes/

Would love to see more info on that 5/8 scale Seven! I always liked this one. A TR3 towing a Seven S2:

Sorry Croc her sister is already married. She's a "newer" model that according to my brother-in-law is much harder to program!

John, sent you a PM.

Beautiful car John, congrats!

Love it! I've programmed mine to get up at 4am, make my breakfast/lunch, open the garage door, push the Birkin outside with me already buckled-up (so none of the fumes from the side exit exhaust fill the garage), wait until the car fires and then close the door. Don't all wives/girlfriends do that?? If they don't please don't tell Nancy!

I know there's at least a few Miata drivers, is that good enough???

In addition to the two mentioned above you can check out the following. A good buyers guide for 911 models: http://www.amazon.com/Used-911-Story-8th/dp/0963172662 This one gives lots of info on DIY maintenance/projects on '65-'89 models: http://www.amazon.com/101-Projects-Your-Porsche-1965-1989/dp/0760308535/ref=pd_sim_b_11 He also has one on the Boxster: http://www.amazon.com/Projects-Porsche-Boxster-Motorbooks-Workshop/dp/0760335540/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1297769230&sr=1-1 Not a book but lots of good info on the 911 here: http://www.pelicanparts.com/911/911world.htm And the 996/Boxster here: http://www.pelicanparts.com/boxster/boxsterworld.htm Also check out Rennlist: http://www.rennlist.com/

For the second time in 24 years we have enough snow to extend our sliding/tubing hill that we have in our backyard up onto our lower deck. It gives us a little more distance and when we set up a jump at the bottom a little more air time! And if we get a couple more snow storms maybe we can start from the upper deck or the roof!

Danilo - Did a search on Blatchat and came up with this: [/url]http://www.blatchat.com/t.asp?id=49469 It looks like the correct part is a Quinton Hazell QR1118S. Going to the QH site it looks like that P/N is for a Lada Niva/Riva: http://quintonhazell.de/downloads/QH6/QH6%20Bilder_S.1361-1435.pdf I went to the Rock Auto site and found a P/N SSR1118 (cross-reference to the QR1118S?) tie rod that fits the following models: FIAT 125(1967 - 1974) FIAT 132(1972 - 1982) FSO 125P(1967 - 1991) FSO 132P(1974 - 1978) LADA 1200(1974 - 1990) LADA 1600(1978 - 1986) LADA NIVA(1976 - 1994) LADA RIVA(1984 - 1994) LANCIA GAMMA(1976 - 1982) Looking at the specs it does have the M16 x 1.0 thread that seems to be pretty rare but it doesn't mention the taper. I can't guarantee that the part from Rock Auto will fit but for the price it certainly should be worth a try. In case you hit the lotto you could get this kit from Freestyle: http://www.freestylemotorsport.co.uk/products.htm

Steve - Tell Betsy not to worry. I just looked in the mirror and realized no one younger than Nancy would be interested in an old fart like me. In fact, I can't believe she's still interested! OK, back on topic......

Mike - I do like the color combo on your car better! And the only way I'd need a heater is if I trade in Nancy on a younger model!!

Nice looking car and it sure looks like a deal with the Duratec motor.

FYI: Any MG Midget from chassis 114487 on used a Spitfire rack and pinion. The change occured sometime around the 1972 model year.

Thanks Jon and Skip. Still more research to do but I still have some time before the long commute starts.

Geez, maybe I should be looking into a Vette instead! From what I understand the 6-speed doesn't have that much taller of a top gear than the 5-speed, it's just that the rest of the gears are closer together. I'm going to have to check it out and see the actual difference.

Congrats Mazda! I've been looking for something similar. My daily commute is going to be changing from 15 miles roundtrip of all backroads to 70 miles roundtrip of mostly highway driving sometime within the next few months. Not the greatest drive for the Birkin. :banghead: I'm hoping to get one in the same color as yours but with the tan interior/top. Either that or one of the '01 BRG SE's if it doesn't cost too much more. Hopefully I can find one that hasn't been stuck up to it's axles in some farmer's field!