Cat 7 ready to ship

[Reiver]

The forward belly pan...the why is the Vaux 2L has the exposed cam belt with the upgraded pully system and I live in Az on a dirt road in the country.  I was worried about sucking dust up into that area.  This looks a bit crude but works.  Alloy forward from the nose cone back beyond the 1" cross brace.  The plastic is 1/8 in and sleeves forward and can easily be removed for access to the oil filter.  It is deep enough to give clearance to the fan belt and the pully.  I've driven it on the dirt road and it does the job of keeping foreign matter out.   The tape is simply to seal the edges as the plates are secured by clamps above.

You can see the prior sump repaired damage..... I am going to a bit higher profile tires too.... the present ones look good but are 7 years old so it is time..... I may make a sump guard if not satisfied with the height change.

Edited February 23 by Reiver

[Croc]

9 hours ago, Reiver said:

 .....why is the Vaux 2L has the exposed cam belt with the upgraded pully system and I live in Az on a dirt road in the country.  I was worried about sucking dust up into that area. 

 

 

 

Wise idea.  A stone into the teeth on the timing belt does lots of damage.  

 

You do know this engine originally came with a timing belt cover?  There was an inner plate and outer plate with a rubber gasket. 

 

I think this is the outer cover

https://www.ebay.com/itm/232619149531

 

Bit more googling can probably get the inner cover and the gasket - I did not try too hard.  This may be the inner cover?  Scroll down to see the ended listing.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/186772481663

 

 

There is even a bling version

https://www.reverie.ltd.uk/product_detail.php?group=A_CAMCOV&subgroup=A_CAMCOV&part_code=R01SE0194

 

 

 

 

 

 

[theDreamer]

This is what the stock cover looks like.

[Reiver]

I know but with this system (SBD upgraded pulley system with the hotter cams) in place the cover will not work...thanks.  I have covered the area from behind the nose cone to about 5 inches past the front of the sump..... it is pretty well sealed.

 

[Reiver]

Did about 80 miles today and spray painted the sump bottom black to check for scraping...none so far.  The seller put a switch on the water temp so that it also measures oil temp (pick up is in/thru the drain plug)...works well.... nice to see both.  Oil pressure is great and she runs really well...72 today so perfect.  Love the exhaust note too.

Here is a pic of the set up for my cams...adjustable sprockets and the stronger intermediate pully system...why I can't use the stock cover.  Note my lump but you get the idea.

[Vovchandr]

This thing belongs in a museum! Wow.

[slowdude]

3 hours ago, Reiver said:

Did about 80 miles today and spray painted the sump bottom black to check for scraping...none so far.  The seller put a switch on the water temp so that it also measures oil temp (pick up is in/thru the drain plug)...works well.... nice to see both.  Oil pressure is great and she runs really well...72 today so perfect.  Love the exhaust note too.

Here is a pic of the set up for my cams...adjustable sprockets and the stronger intermediate pully system...why I can't use the stock cover.  Note my lump but you get the idea.

Check your exhaust heat shroud. That should hang slightly lower than other parts on your car. I've found the head shields scrape first. 

 

Is it possible to alter an ebay shroud? Just attach the top and maybe the bottom while leaving the sides cut out for the supercharger? Should get you some coverage for the rocks?

[Reiver]

No heat shroud on the muffler....as I have put belly pan on the front of the car I don't see a need for that stock cover.... I may have a line on a new spare wet sump too....

[Reiver]

So, due to the country roads (unpaved) and high curbs (no sewer systems so folks build their curbs higher for rain to run down the streets rather than into the gas station) I put 205/55r16's on the stock 16 wheels.  This is the max one can run...the front wings are fine...no issues.... I do get the odd scrape on the rear covers on the curled edges when cornering hard/fast (fast round abouts)...but minor.  took some paint off of the inner lips...regular driving not an issue.

This gave me about an inch more clearance and I painted the pan bottom black...no issues going over curbs so far. I've put about 150 miles on it in 5 days.

[MV8]

Could also have add some preload to raise the suspension, realign, then test drive to see if you'd be satisfied, before selecting tires that would have fit the increased clearance, but it looks good as-is!

[slowdude]

On 2/23/2025 at 11:20 PM, Reiver said:

No heat shroud on the muffler....as I have put belly pan on the front of the car I don't see a need for that stock cover.... I may have a line on a new spare wet sump too....

Might be time for a sacrificial aluminum whisker somewhere, rather have a 3 inch strip of aluminum scrape vs the sump.

[Reiver]

49 minutes ago, slowdude said:

Might be time for a sacrificial aluminum whisker somewhere, rather have a 3 inch strip of aluminum scrape vs the sump.

Nah, since I raised the car with the higher profile tires no problems... I'll buy the spare sump simply because I can.

[Reiver]

I've put almost 300 miles on it since Friday last....this is the best blend of old Brit/modern systems ever.  It was EXACTLY what I wanted and could not be more happy with the purchase.

The seller was a great enthusiast and just fantastic to deal with, we'd chat for an hour on the phone about the car..... and he represented it perfectly.  What a great experience this has been.

 

I totally get the cult feel for this platform....love looking over those clamshells with the big chrome eyeballs and that Vaux 2l is fantastic.  The seller put a Quaife short throw on the box and that is just right.... 

 

BTW, thanks for all of your input and I will be asking questions as I maintain this prize.