SENC

Nice! Wish I could join, but this Fall is going to be busy (culminating in daughter's wedding in November). Have fun!

It seems the major shippers are now back online from the UK to US, I had several options presented by a well-known UK vendor (of dog training goods) when I ordered about 10 days ago. The package was shipped quickly and within about 36 hours my choice, DHL, sent via email and text a notice of duty fee. On following the link, the fee seemed extremely high (80% of the value of good purchased), but not detail was offered. I called and eventually got through to one of their international service agents who promised to email me the detail, but he also reviewed it and felt it was in error and would request correction. The following day, I received a detailed invoice, now for about 60% of the value of goods I purchased. On reviewing the duty fee calculation, it was immediately obvious that they had entered the wrong value for the goods purchased - roughly 3x the purchase price. I contacted the vendor, who sent me a copy of the customs document they provided DHL with the actual purchase price/value. I've forwarded that to DHL and the vendor is contacting their DHL rep on their end, as well. All this to say, shipping seems back on (unless a particular vendor wants to protest or just doesn't want to deal with the initial hiccups as shippers implement new processes)... but be sure to review the duty calculations before paying. I will say that both the vendor and DHL (once I finally got off hold) have been very helpful and responsive, and I have no doubt they will get this right.

No doubt there are capitalistic ventures that attempt to fill gaps our current system creates. Urgent Cares are an effort to put "cheaper" healthcare as close to where people live, shop, and work in hopes of reducing unnecessary and more expensive ER visits. Unfortunately, because they generally require payment at the time of service, they are underutilized by those with governmental coverage. There are, increasingly, physicians who are practicing outside of the system - providing care for payment at the time of service or even doing monthly/annual membership type fees. These are often much lower cost... but used primarily by those who can afford out of pocket expenses. And they, obviously, don't provide much in the way of acute, emergent/urgent care. Outpatient diagnostics are another example where there are capitalistic options. In states that do not have regulatory restrictions on expensive diagnostic equipment (such as MRI and CT), there are often small businesses that have set up to provide such services - at much lower cost than provided by hospitals and physicians. On the whole, these represent a small percentage of our overall healthcare system and expenditures - and though I appreciate and support the general idea and model they represent, in our mixed (and heavily centrally-managed) system, they actually tend to exacerbate the overall problem as they "cherry-pick" the healthiest and most capable of paying patients, leaving the sickest and most expensive to traditional providers (who have much smaller margins).

My career was in healthcare administration, largely medical practices and hospitals, so I know that sector best. Prices are largely set by the government. Hospital and physician charges have been largely irrelevant to what they get paid since the 80s. Yes, somewhere around 30% is "commercial", but much of that is based on a percentage of the government fee schedule. What's more, the government (since Obamacare) has prescribed what services must be included in most commercial health plans. I'm not pointing political fingers - the current President appears dead set on applying price controls in the pharmaceutical side of things, too (there is certainly a LOT wrong in how drug pricing works, much due to how hospitals are reimbursed for drugs - again, mostly government set). On top of regulated pricing, regulations determine what services are included or excluded in bundles, and determines what services can even be considered. The administrative burden of these and other regulatory requirements is HUGE. In short, very little of healthcare today is between patients (consumers) and their providers (hospitals, physicians, drug companies, etc.) - much/most is driven by third party and governmental reimbursement regulation. Much of the underlying cost of healthcare is driven by regulatory and reimbursement costs, and by defensive medicine. Unfortunately, I think the estimates often bandied about that 30-35% of healthcare costs today are driven by such non-value-added costs are accurate, and maybe low. A free market system where consumers make decisions based on cost/benefit would have, in my opinion, yielded a more efficient and effective system (for most) - but the incredible perplexity of our reimbursement and regulatory system has spurred the high fixed cost system we have today. Unfortunately, again, in my opinion, going back to pure free market wouldn't solve those issues for many years, and would cause a lot of pain in the process. Sadly, our system is quite broken. I'm not sure I see a great path for lower costs per capita short of blowing it up and starting over.

Now that's pure comedy gold right there! Our healthcare system hasn't had but the barest connection back to capitalism for 40+ years now. Having said that, I agree completely with your sentiment about healthcare costs, they are absurd. But we're so far down the road (50% is now gov't funded), I'm not sure a return to a capitalistic healthcare system is possible.

I believe I'd get a new GP. Hard to imagine a GP not ordering a vax after a phone or electronic chart request (assuming you're an established and regular/annual visiting patient).

I was curious, so looked at who already has similar laws passed... Hawaii and AZ don't change, but because the current fed law doesn't allow DST as the standard they remain on ST year-round. California and Florida were first (in 2018) to pass trigger laws similar to the one TX just passed. Alabama (2021) Colorado (2022) Delaware (2019) Georgia (2021) Idaho (2022, for northern 1/2 of state) Louisiana (2022) Maine (2019) Mississippi (2021) Montana (2021) Oklahoma (2025) South Carolina (2020) Tennessee (2019) Utah (2020) Washington (2019) Wyoming (2020) And now, Texas joins the list.

Who knew that there were 18 other states with similar laws already in place?!? Fascinating.

Thread drift? Here? Say it ain't so!

Less than half of the max. As I recall the manual says 20 all around. That isn't squishy in the least - these cars are so light they just don't need a lot of pressure. I have the Pirelli Cinturatos referenced above - have really liked them.

65 S2 - I believe those to be the original top.

Catsup was bad enough, but how can we take seriously anyone who won't even use a proper hot dog bun? We really need to discuss better membership requirements if we want to keep this forum from spiraling fully into the gutter.

Great looking 7.

I'd also suggest joining and asking questions on lotuselan.net. That is probably the most active forum for Lotus twin cams and there are a good number of folks there with dry sump systems. Leaks at the timing case/head/block area are not uncommon for a number of reasons, including gasket failure... you'll find a number of threads on such at the aforementioned forum. Agree with JB that this is a lot of pressure, but I'm not familiar with dry sump systems so it may be typical.

Very nice!!

If we dont get it done this summer (agree, sun and heat can be brutal in these cars), perhaps a good idea for Fall. I have a daughter getting married in late November and a drive to/from Texas late Sept/early Oct, but between we should have some decent weather for a nice drive.

Well done! Thanks Slonie!

That and the wire wheels. Other than those, a great looking Seven!

This should help with proper weights for all the fluids. The entire manual is in the library, should you need it. I've been using Redline motor oil, gearbox oil, and diff fluid for years in my Seven and Elan.

I'm not exactly sure which position you're advocating, but you make good points for picking 1 and sticking with it rather than switching time twice a year. Doctors do agree with that position. As to whether it is DST or ST, who cares? Pick one and stick with it. I definitely agree it would be easier if all states were the same, but then the same argument could be made for having a singular time zone, which we manage to deal with just fine. Also not sure of the jab at Texas. Arizona and Hawaii already pick one time standard and don't change (they dont go to DST when the rest of the country does), so it seems to me there must be no federal law requiring switching back and forth. On a personal level, I'd like to see DST as the standard, but could live with either without impact (as, I suspect, could we all). More important to me is discontinuing the switching between - it has always befuddled me why our leaders, at federal and state levels, couldn't stir up the courage to tackle such a simple and beneficial change. And, yet, we expect them to tackle and resolve big issues. SMH.

Would love to get together, just say when. I've retired, so generally flexible unless we're traveling or have family visiting.

Would love to do this, but next weekend doesn't work great for me either (definitely would trailer to Greenville from Wilmington to avoid interstate time in my Seven, but my trailer is currently in the Raleigh area with a friend). Keep me posted when you try another drive. Henry

TLK - here are a couple threads from the se7ens.net mailing list that popped up when I searched the archives... you may find something useful. So far I've kept mine positive earth, just haven't found any good reason to change it. ________________ I changed the polarity on my seven because the rev counter I was going to use required it. All you have to do is repolarise the dynamo by just touching 12 volts from the battery across the field coil in the opposite direction.(and after you must connect the battery the other way round of course) This changes the residual magnetism in the unit and means that the current starts in the opposite direction when it just starts working. This current energizes the field coil with the field reversed and the unit works the other way. The field coil is between the small spade terminal on the dynamo and the body (ground). The opposite direction means that whatever ground you wish to have is connected to the body and the 'live' is touched onto the spade terminal a couple of times -just flicked over the surface. Job done! Since it is unbelievable is could be that simple, check it with your voltmeter before connecting it back into the cars wiring. -----Original Message----- From: JF Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2003 5:28 PM To: lotus at se7ens.net Subject: [Lotus] Lucas electrics, alternator conversions and positive ground I have to agree with JWW. We should leave the electrics as original as possible. While I understand the advantages of alternators, I enjoy watching the lights dim and brighten with the revs. It's further conformation that all is working correctly. The only area I'm considering changing on my Series 2 Seven (1965) is reversing the positive ground. And, here's why. A year ago I acquired an exhaust gas analyzer instrument which I've been told is the best route to figure the optimum jets on Webbers at various loads. Better than a rolling road I've been told. The problem is the instructions say it only works with a negative ground systems. Has anyone else changed from positive to negative ground on a Series 2? And if so, how did you do it and were there any problems? Jeremy SB2097 jww wrote: ><rant> I have two Sevens using all Lucas electrics. Both have >dynamos and regulators and thus far (in 3 years) I haven't >had a single problem. I use Lucas electics because that is >the original equipment for the car. > >IMHO I find that electrics in most restored Lotus Sevens 1957 >to 1973 have been badly re-installed during the restoration >process. Wiring should be neat and tidy and not like a >plateful of spaghetti behind the dashboard. The taped loom >should pass along and the various tails should just neatly >bridge from the loom to the relevent connection, usually a >matter of two or three inches. With that done problems are >easier to locate. > >I find all the Lucas electrical products in my cars are >totally reliable with the possible exception of the dynamo to >engine bracket on my Series Two which is a Ford item anyway. >Lucas have made electrical components for a great number of >British car manufacturers for the best part of a century. All >these companies cannot possibly be wrong!! > >The relatively small amount of electrical equipment in early >Sevens causes a comparatively light load on the battery if >installed properly. Unless you're planning the addition of >air conditioning, a 100 watt hi-fi and uprated headlights and >want these all on at the same time, you really don't need to >run an alternator. However, you would be prudent to regularly >check your battery levels and plug into a battery >conditioner. Remember most electrical problems on Sevens are >due to bad earthing. > >If you want a modern Seven, then get a Caterham, Westfield, >Locost, Robin Hood, or whatever. If you want the genuine >article, a Lotus Seven built in the 1960s, then why not run >it as they used to. As I've said, I've never had a problem. >Boy do you guys love 'improving' what are now 30 to 46 years >old and are after all classic sportscars. Be proud of them >and their idiosyncrasies!!!</rant> > >Cheers, > >JWW. _______________________ Hi all, I agree with Flemming. Original Series Two had mechanical Water Temp and Oil Pressure, just leaving Tacho if electric, swapping the wires over on the Ammeter and the dynamo ofcourse. Series One and America models used mechanical tachos which means just two jobs. Series Three and Four models were negative earth from the factory and I can't think of a single reason to change this! However one other thing: the earth side of the battery wants to be the forward post for clearance of the bonnet otherwise sparks will fly, so if you are changine polarity this should be remembered! Just my penn'th! JWW (snip) <<< There is no real good reason to convert back to a positive ground, unless you want your car to be as 'British' as it was when it left the factory. However, it is not as difficult as it may seem. Polarizing the generator is pretty simple, and can be done in about fifteen minutes, without even removing the generator from the car. Voltage regulator is not affected by a polarity change. Starter will turn the right direction with either polarity, so no rewiring is needed. An electronic tachometer will need to have the internals rewired for the correct polarity, but a mechanical tachometer will never know the difference. If you have an electrical temperature gauge, oil pressure gauge, or a fuel gauge, you will need to replace these, but mechanical gauges will not be affected. Finally, if you have an ammeter, as originally fitted, you will need to switch the two wires on the back of the meter, or get used to the meter reading reverse of normal. The rest of the electrical equipment, e.g. lighting, horn, coil and distributor, etc. will not require any rewiring, but if you have an electronic ignition system, it will have to be replaced or rewired for the correct polarity. Electricity is pretty simple, if you know how it works, but if you don't, it is better to leave it alone, or to hand it off to someone who does. And remember the old rule: "If it works, don't try to fix it." -- Flemming >>>

The old se7ens.net mailserve is all but dead, but it is still out there and if you can join you can search old threads. That would likely be the best source of specific information. If you can't join and want, I can try to search for you.

Nice looking 7 that "looks" right. I'd have expected a higher asking price. I've not seen a Cosworth 1500 with anything but 2x Webers, though with these Lotus anything is possible. Or could be that someone just stuck a Cosworth cover on it.