Croc

:rofl: Sorry I could not make it Tom - the boss was in at work. Looks like you and Steve hacked your way to a solution without my expertise. I guess the angle grinder did not need to make an appearance!

Here is the Blatchat discussion: http://www.blatchat.com/t.asp?id=199395 Having read the Motoman link within the Blatchat discussion, I think I am a fan of the "rev the tits off the mother" approach to running in a new engine. Also given my first shakedown drive will be a weekend in Denver prowling with the Denver Seven enthusiasts, I dont think pussyfooting is allowed... A nice early oil change should clean up all the swarf that comes off in the first few hundred miles.

Damn that engine looks good! I am so looking forward to getting my size 12s on to the throttle of one of those!

I have a drill to bring to the party! Where would you like me to drill? If you are concerned about possible incompetence there then I can always stand around and look pretty while heckling you and Steve! Being serious for a moment - what is the height increase between regular and high bar? About 2 inches or so?

That is why I had planned to save weight with the shift to a carbon cam cover. The really-cool looking retro cam cover that Karl is going for weighs about the same as a spare tire and is much heavier than a standard OEM plastic jobby. But still...it does look really really nice....

I have one that I bought last year in a motoring memorabilia place in the London suburbs for $10. It needs a clean but it is the same badge done in black background with polished letters. They (supposedly) originally came from a Cosworth Escort. This will be confirmed by Alaskossie as I think he has one of these.... Until I saw the pics I had not thought of using it in this application. Maybe try Ebay UK to see what they have for sale.

Tom - It did not have to be too thick to persuade me! In a similar approach to Karl, I was originally looking at a retro approach - a BDA-lookalike cover. I know the Zetec has these available but I never found one for the Duratec. So I went for the next best thing - Reverie. That photo of your engine bay looks awesome. I was worried I have too much bling. This confirms it is not possible!

Completely off topic but this link will be irrestible honey to Karl to open his checkbook again :jester: I have a cam cover on order from Reverie but it is yet to arrive. I had no idea that Tom (Alaskossie) used it on his car. http://www.reverie.ltd.uk/home.php

Ok I was brain dead this morning - I typed 2L when I should have typed 2.3L. Either way it is moot as others with S3's have popped up to say they shoehorned the mother in there. Separately though I do recall Dick Brink telling me 2 years back that a Birkin will not take a 2.3L as it is too tall. I guess a Birkin is more svelte than an S3?

Wow - I own one of those puppies? :drool: I never saw my engine looking like that - instead it was just one big sexy lump! ummm....I am talking about the engine Karl - not you sorry! That sounds too small an increment? I understood the 2L cannot fit in an S3 chassis (or a Birkin for that matter) as it is too tall by 2 inches?

I had the privilege to drive a Ford Sierra Cosworth RS 500 in Group A touring circuit car guise on a race track in Australia years ago when they were the thing to beat on the race tracks. Very twitchy set up, the power came on song in a huge rush and it all got to serious speed very very quickly. Amazing car. I they may be 25 years old but I still want to buy one - still searching UK classifieds while I dream of finding a decent one I can import to the US to become part of a collection of dream cars I want to buy...one day....:drool:

Posted on behalf of an aspiring sevener who was having difficulty posting here. What is required to register a seven in New York State? Also looking for information on what is required to pass the inspection process. I have heard there is some borough differences between Westchester, Bronx, Brooklyn etc. - not sure how true that is?

"And Bubba looked bewildered at the crushed remains of his 1995 Ford Contour which he had left in the disabled parking space while he went grocery shopping with the other trailer trash at the Gardere Wal Mart. It came in a flash...this was that godammed Hank's doing!" Putting aside the soap opera scenario above - what on earth are you planning to do with this monster? Conquering a few countries (or counties)? Towing an aircraft carrier?

Hi Karl, I am definitely knocked out in April on those dates because of work committments out of town. It is only in May when I start to get my work life under control. Cheers

My good old torque wrench looks like it has broken (mechanism will not hold any torque now in either direction). It was about 10 years old so I am not too upset. Looking at replacements, what do others use for their cars? Brands, digital vs dial vs beam vs gauge, size, etc. Recommendations and suggestions gratefully welcomed.

It would also be nice to confirm the driver is ok?

ouch! How much damage?

I remember a BMW 2L straight six. Lovely silky smooth with a nice howl. However it did not have anything remotely close to the horsepower of this one. Nice find - how much for the engine is the question? Will it fit in a seven? If it will not then I will just have to live with the Aston Martin as a package! :-P

BTTT - Still for sale. Price revised down to $36,000 to meet the market

Hi Skip You read my mind - I had a post it note on my desk to email you on that. I was thinking the weekend of March 26/27. I just sent an email out to Ben to coordinate that. I can make it in on March 26 in the morning - pick it up then and then drop the CSR back with Ben on March 28 for shipping to east coast while I fly to Phoenix for meetings the rest of the week. I am sure a few things will surface on the shakedown. Thats part of the reason I want some time to drive it before it hits the east coast. Cheers

Karl - when are you going to be roadgoing? Mine is targetted for this month. Will probably go out to Denver for a shake-down before I truck her east. Already registered and licensed in the wide open plains of......

Yes rt 9 between peekskill and the bridge is good. I love the tunnel! The other side is just as memorable. My favorite is rt 218 which runs around the bluff between West Point and Cold Spring. Stunning views, great twisties and fairly uncrowded- you are sandwiched between the cliffs and the Hudson River.

I talked with Andy today by phone. Another option was Ralph at RS Motorsports in Closter NJ, a very well respected Lotus specialist. Hopefully, Ralph can solve this issue for Andy. Andy bought the purple westfield originally posted on USA7s here: http://usa7s.com/vb/showthread.php?t=5599&highlight=purple I suppose we have to call it "Barney" :jester: Of all places in the US to break down in a seven - the Bronx has to be close to the worst. With Andy now close by then I think I smell a Bear Mountain and Rt 9E and 9W circuit coming on with a few seveners

I think their offices are still in Dover NJ however, the east coast distribution facility moved in 2007 or 2008 to somewhere in Virginia

Isn't nice when us guys do not have to be politically correct for a change!