Reiver

I do not have a light mounted there and have no need for the clear window in any case. Rain is no issue in Az. Love my half hood tho as it does keep the hard summer sun off of my noggin.

Drained a bit out to the exact top hash mark.... easy to do with that baffle in place it doesn't exactly pour out as most do. It wasn't a great deal but I'll see if it makes any performance dif in the next few days.

This is the original thread I'd read...comments? C20XE oil level - TechTalk - Caterham and Lotus Seven Club

Thanks, I get the comment and have known that.... what I've read in this forum (long ago/search) was that Caterham raised the oil level a bit and made their own dipsticks for this engine to address a few things. Does anyone have a similar lump with a Cat dipstick for comparison?

I have read one should overfill the Caterham sump a bit if you have the original Vaux dipstick (marked Max/min) as the Cat factory grinds those off and redoes the max fill line to a higher level. This from an old Forum conversation in 2010. I have the original one so marked. Any info is appreciated.... presently filled a tad over MAX. If you have a factory dipstick what would the MAX line measure from the bottom most point (assuming they used the original dipstick to modify). My first oil change and sump drop coming up (to replace the baffle) Thanks

Without the clear window you'd be fine with that light.....

No rear window as just wanted a good flow thru...I'm 74 so I know what you mean.

Soft Bits, nicely made but it does take some time from the initial order...but Tristan keeps in touch. I thought it might be claustrophobic but is actually quite nice driving. This is a summer cover for me in Az and not for inclement weather. Good fit and finish btw.

I recently purchased a '99 with mostly original equipment...Vauxhall 2L, mild cam upgrade and the two DCOE carbs that it originally came with, electronic ignition. I was very connected (chats and internet, we still chat) with the owner who was a car guy home wrench. IOW, he knew the car well mechanically and it had about 18k miles on it. It was maintained. This was his 3rd one. I think having a prior owner that can knowledgably speak about the car is key to an older buy as opposed to 'I don't know'... when was the last cam belt change etc. I've had no issues at all and have put 2k on it....just ran it in 100 degree ambient for a quick up/down the hill and no issues with the heat. Stays at 80c +/- a few degrees even when running uphill at 70 mph. Just know the model you are looking at to ask the right questions.....Steve, the prior owner would chat for an hour or more about the mechanics etc. and his work done. Most that own these are enthusiasts I'd suspect....aftermarket dealerships or sellers...not so much. I bought it sight unseen even tho he wanted me to look at it in person but he'd built up my trust...great buy from a great individual. I will drop the pan and change out the foam ballast when I replace the shocks/adjust them...altho they do seem fine and are original. There are always things to do but the 7 is rock solid. Wears it age very well.

Very nice car for those that don't mind the RH drive...great price point too.

I'll take a look but wonder if 55 amps is enough... what motor are you running?

the header is on the driver/opposite side...for a good pic I'd have to remove one of the carbs. V belt. I'll remove the front and get a pic but it will not show the wiring.

Electricity is magic to me....how would you wire up a one wire unit? A two? It appears you'd lose the ign warning light.

The alt. looks to be original as it has the same wiring as the diagram in the build book. It is a Motorola 9rc 7042, obviously a Euro unit and strangely it comes up as often used on boats.... it is a big heavy lump. The issue I have (it is working) is replacement when/if the time comes..... also I wouldn't mind a smaller more efficient unit. The wiring is strange to me...4 wires from the unit. I've never seen that kind of wiring before...one or two wires being the norm. The real puzzler is the wire to the fuse box. Has anyone replaced this booger with something else and perhaps a description of your wiring. Thanks. The pic is an exact copy of the Cat 7 2L carburetor type wiring diagram alternators.pdf

Well, I'll take them off in one year to see how things are going..... not sure about the quality of the original Cat headers but I suspect they are solid.

I have not had an issue here in AZ in my small town...Scottsdale has higher humidity due to the golf courses, lakes, fountains and etc. that they stupidly encourage in the desert. OTOH, I will remove the tape a year from now and take a look...I suspect it will be the same as the header tape on my 911 that was on for 8 years...not an issue.

Just a suggestion.... As this comes from England, I'd take some frame pics where rust could/can develop.

where I live in Arizona nothing rusts.... I've used them for years here with no rust at all. If I lived in a wet climate I might take your advice.

I'll stick with the header wrap...easy and works with no down time.

Finally got around to making a sump guard. It wraps around the front frame and is secured with U bolts. I have not gotten around to raising the car 1/2 inch with coil overs but have the adjusters.... simply have to get around to it. The forward belly pans you can see...light alloy and plastic sheeting keep dust/material from being sucked up into the exposed cam belt system by SBD. works great and no overheating either. I did wrap the exhaust with header tape to reduce the engine bay temps.

Looks like an option to me..... size is right but as it is a 'gaming' seat I wonder about the strength of the unit for securing to runners or the floor.

The later units appear more compact and that would give you more area to arrange things. I like mine as I'll never have the hood up and it works well on chilly days when you are in the wind.

^^^ Nice set of hooters...

True.... that would be an easy gig

That's some time....I don't think I'd like the carbon after sitting in the Az sun tho. Talked to a guy in Denver who said they get very hot so that would not work here.