Gearlatch

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DavidL, thank you for the list and part numbers. Your list confirms the 70-1605 disk and 60-3329 part numbers I picked out of the Helix list in the Burton catalog. I feel much more comfortable ordering these since you had no problems with the installation. I was able to contact Chris at Redline today finally, he said they had moved but were now back open for business. I have given him my needs; we will see how it goes. Thanks again.

I apologize if I mislead anyone, the source of my driveline vibration is not in the clutch area. I am just replacing those parts while I have the engine and transmission out. My driveline vibration is most likely driveshaft / U-joint related as it is most pronounced over 90 mph and the severity can be varied by throttle position. Classic U-joint symptom. I do not believe the U-joints were ever lubed in the last 32 years. New U-joints are coming from Caterham and I will have the local driveshaft shop check the shaft for straightness and balance to be sure. DavidL, when was the last time you talked to Chris at Redline? I have purchased items from Redline several times in the past with success and they have been great. I have been trying to reach them since January by email and phone with no luck. That leaves me with Burton who I also have purchased from as my next vendor, which led me down the Helix path. I have had the flywheel resurfaced, ARP bolts from Pegasus are here waiting. This 7 1/2" clutch combo has survived many an AutoX with no problems so just want to replace with similarly rated components but not low HP Escort parts. Thanks for everyone's input. I will try Redline one more time.

I am chasing down a driveline vibration in my 1991 Caterham. This is a 1700cc AX block Ford X/flow with a Ford T9 5 speed transmission and Sierra Ford De Dion rear. While I have the engine and transmission out, I have decided to replace the clutch, pressure plate, throw out bearing and pilot bearing since it all has about 11K hard miles on it. I believe this clutch assembly is original to the car, the clutch disk is an AP unit, 190mm (7.5”) dia., 1” x 23 spline with the part number 47238 on it. The pressure plate is a Borg & Beck curly finger unit with the number CP2624/1 stenciled on it. I have searched the internet for information or cross references to these part numbers with no luck. I contacted Burton Power for suggestions on a replacement clutch and they recommended a stock Escort mk2 clutch cover and a stock Kent 190mm clutch disk. Burton told me that new clutch covers are much shorter in height then the old Borg & Beck units but with a cable operated clutch I should be able to adjust for that. Hum? I would think if a stock clutch was up to the duty Caterham would have used one. I saw in the Burton catalog that they offered a higher performance curly finger clutch cover and disk from Helix Autosport, Part number 60-3329 and 70-1605. I have talked to Helix twice now on the phone and the applications person says these part number pieces SHOULD work for my Caterham application, although they are also used on the 1.6 ltr OHC engine and the 1.4 -1.8 ltr “K” series engines. Hum? Does anyone have a suggestion for correct clutch parts for this application? Has anyone used the Helix setup and had it fit up ok? The clutch disk is a given since its 190mm with a 1” x 23 spline but I am skeptical of the pressure plate bolting up correctly and with the release bearing being properly located to not use up all the cable adjustment. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

New guy here, just wanted to say hello. I have followed this site for many years and thought it was about time to join in. I am a mechanical product engineer and lifelong anything that has an engine enthusiast. My desire for a seven started way back in the late 70's when I was working in Dearborn Michigan on advanced electric vehicle R&D. Occasionally on my way to work down Telegraph Rd I would be passed by a seven, even in the winter. I just thought it was the coolest car. I was driving a SAAB Sonnet at the time. Over the years of SCCA racing and other performance competition I would always see Lotus and Caterham Sevens and think someday I will have to try one. Fast forward to 6 years ago, while browsing craigslist I run across an advertisement for a super nice RHD Caterham that was recently imported from England being sold by a local Cincinnati father / son duo. We purchased it and it has been a riot ever since. We autoX it once in a while, it goes to the Woodward Dream Cruise every year and just generally terrorize the local back roads. It's all great fun. Thanks for letting me join in.