Vinman1

Ed, I appreciate the reply and offer. Using a wood buck, torch for heating, and a hydraulic press, I managed to reform one of the right ones into a left one (see photo). I am curious about the other brackets and chassis parts you have, any photos?

Ed, Thank you for the info. Some sources their I did not know about. I am glad to hear Arch will sell parts directly. I spoke with Tony a while back and his supplier for the brackets had retired. I did manage to get a set from John at Simple Sevens though. When I carefully cut the old ones off, they remained usable as well. Ford rear is back in and set up, engine is out to fix clutch issue, but should be back in this week. With the weather changing, looking forward to driving it! Cheers, V

That's it!

Inputs appreciated. I have ordered a new concentric clutch set up from Retroford in the UK. I was able to speak with Dave, who is the owner and designer of the system which has been in use for 18 years. The biggest difference is the slave which is what some refer to as the Saab type. He confirmed there is nothing exotic about what I am trying to do, it's simply Cortina stuff (i.e. Crossflow w/ type E or Type 9) transmission that has been done many times for many years. His site also has a 3 page pdf on how to install and set up. My current Bell is a Tracsport item, but I do see they offer another one with the external slave on the left side. Not sure if the starter will clear on the right, so sent them a message, for a possible plan C. My gut tells me with all newer stick cars and most track Sevens using concentric set ups for many miles w/ no problems, with quality parts and set up info, I should have no issues. Weather is changing, can't wait to drive it!

Hope all are doing well. Pulled the Crossflow engine yesterday to see why concentric clutch was leaking, first photo is what I found. Not sure what caused this? Would like to go to an external slave set up, to limit risk of having to pull engine, and my frame does not have the welded bracket for cable type (not that I would want a cable). Car is RHD 79 Seven. Current bell housing is Burton BH6 which is a cable set up one. Been all over various sites trying to find a Bellhousing with starter and external slave mount that will work with my car, engine, trans set up, but all found look like either the starter or external slave mount will interfere with the pedal box. Any inputs greatly appreciated! V

JB, Yes, on the gauge. The pic was taken when installed, and not yet run to set up. The kit comes with a note that the gauge is "for initial set up only" and has the brass plug to go in its place.

Here is my Facet fuel pump installed on rubber isolators on bracket I made. This feeds regulator / filter set up on the other side w/ fabbed bracket in second pic. Never hear or feel it with car running. Remember to put ground wire on pump when using rubber isolators...

7Westfield, Would like to buy the Jake Lamont book

That must be why some have sheared the key in the key way.

Pic of my drum brake set up..

Charlie, Russ, Good info there, I did not know that plug was there on mine. V

Scoticus, I have gone through quite a bit to get the drum brake set up on my Ford axle. The brake backing plates are 9" from a Mercury Capri 4 cyl. The drums are Cortina MKII GT (9"x2") The wheel cylinders are stock 71 Capri ones. Most of the stuff is Cortina and lots of Capri Stuff is the same. Go to motomobiles web site, lots of info there for reference, but I got the same ones at Rock Auto. I don't know what the original back plates were on a Ford axle Seven, still would like to. Best to you, V

All, I purchased a drum from someone who has 14 Cortinas. Per his expertise and, my measurements, and his review of photos, my axle is MKII Cortina GT which had the 9" x 2" drums shown in the photo above. The drum is exactly the same as the barn parts one and fits perfect. Having it resurfaced today, going to fabricated E brake linkage set up, and rear end issue is resolved. Now onto hydraulic clutch leak, and oil pan ground clearance mods... Cheers, V

MV8, Thank you for the great link to Cortina parts supplier. Lots of good stuff there, and it looks like they have the drums. I have an email out to them to confirm specs. Cheers, V

The surest bet seems to be MK1, but, as you say, they used up what was on the shelf, so in all likely hood some MKII's could have had the same. PCD for all is 4 x 4.25"

Thanks all for the inputs. I have plenty of company in the parts that don't fit arena, with many friends and car repair shop owners confirming the same, whether new car or classic, rare or common, it is just harder today to get the right part for anything. Not a complaint, just a very well supported fact. Miss the days working at Junkyard looking at a paper cross reference book, hopping in the "torch" car (VW Bug we cut the roof off and stuffed the Ox/Ace set up the back seat) and fetching the right part. As for the Cortina, my research tells me only the GT had 9" (229MM) rear brakes, so that eliminates a huge swath of the production, since all others were 8" (203MM). The rear axle housing has no numbers on it (none do) and is confirmed as GT by its flange to flange width and the flange to axle flange face width. Even better, I have one brake drum that came with the barn find car/parts and fits perfect (using 4 cyl Capri brake backing plate, that after hours of research, are the same as Cortina GT). (See photo with Correct GT drum on left and Capri 4 Cyl drum on right which does not fit). Not sure only one drum was found in the Barn. See also, part #on GT Drum, which no cross reference can be found, and photo from the Cortina owners site, with drum differences. Cheers, V

MV8, Typical of the ways things are today, here is the reply from Spring loaded

MV8, Saw that in my web search. Photo is for reference only, so I ignored it. I have messaged the company to see if they can confirm it is for the GT. I am returning the third set of drums from various others that do not fit. Thank you for the help! V

Hey all, Looking for one or a set of rear brake drums for a Ford live axle Seven. They need to be Cortina GT 9" type Drums. See photo V

Good info. Will consider doing that, if I can not get any to the desired specs. Thx!

Just refitted rear with the radius arm / shock weld bracket relocated to the 12 O clock position, and Capri 9" drum brake set in place of disc conversion kit. Huge difference in tire clearance! Tunnel clearance is tight as is expected, but looks to be ok. Can't wait to drive It!

Soft Springs w/ free length much shorter than called for. Front springs are coil bound. Shocks are NOS w/ adjustable platforms (AS) came with the barn find items, no leaks as of yet. V

Hope all are doing good. Looking for DSK Spec springs for Spax AS 180-303 (Front) and AS 180-305 (Rear) shocks. Springs specs; ID for both = 1.9-2.0" Front = 125 lb/inch Free length = 10.75" Rear = 90 lb/inch Free length = 14.25" Got a message out to Springcoil in the UK, thought I would check this side of the pond Best, V

Great, Thanks!

MV8, Hope all is good. I got parts for the brake set up off the Capri in your listing. Going w/ 9" brakes from Capri, which is as close as I can get to the Cortina. Although rare, there are a lot more Capri's in the US than Cortinas. The rear was gone from the Mustang II. How did you do that search? The format and locating is very good, I have not been able to find any of those in my google searches? Thanks again. Vin