So, tell us a little about yourselves

[Vovchandr]

Hm that complicates things. I believe the original is a flat face with 3 holes in it, hence my needle nose suggestion. Not sure where this one is sourced from. Drilling it in center and reversing it out with an extractor would be my solution. 

[2001SLR]

2 hours ago, Vovchandr said:

 

No suggestion for the specific key. I would just just try to jam a pair of needle nose in there and turn it. 

 

You should have a Zetec with ITB's most likely. Take a few pictures and we can tell you some information on whether its an SVT or regular Zetec etc. 

 

Good call on tire swap.

 

PS if you for some reason want to sell those center caps.. you have a buyer. 

I am definitely not as familiar with the Ford world as I am with the Honda world. Although I feel like this not going to be far off. Another reason that I am looking for a workshop manual for this motor is because I am heavily considering replacing the timing belt now as well while doing the reconditioning. Next job is getting the old gas out. Man that panel above the tank was a real pain! Thanks Vovchandr! I will definitely let you know if I consider selling them.

[MV8]

23 minutes ago, 2001SLR said:

Yes I was thinking about using putty, or clay to make a mold, and go from there. A proper key would be nice if it can be sourced. Very good call on the replacement option! I'll look into that. Thanks MV8!

Contact the company that made (MB) them in the off chance they can provide a key.

If there were more room around it, a 12 pt socket that is one size too small to slip over could be hammered on to remove it, then thrown away. Careful application of a small chisel could crack them loose which is all you need to do before using the large needle nose pliers with a channel lock wrench to rotate the pliers. Another option is to use one of those universal sockets that are full of a couple dozen steel, spring loaded pins (like seen on tv). A small pencil torch that runs off butane can be used without damaging the cap finish.

Edited August 16, 2022 by MV8

[Vovchandr]

Thanks for the pictures. Looks like a regular Zetec with a regular manifold, which makes it unusual as typically SLR models got a "200hp" ITB package and other work.

 

You have VCT which is variable cam timing which is the 5th plug in front of spark plugs. If you take the nose cone off and take a look at your plastic cam gear cover you will likely see a "bump out" in the plastic to accommodate the exhaust gear having variable timing. It's not performance beneficial but mostly an emissions thing and this is often defeated/deleted. 

 

You will occasionally see people talking about an SVT Zetec engine, which is pretty much entirely different family of a Zetec. Also a 2L but almost nothing crosses over. Different head entirely and different block. This is the high HP motor that made about 170HP crank. 

 

Regular stock bones Ford Zetecs if I recall made about 135hp crank.

 

Zetecs were used in Ford Focus, Ford Contour, Ford Escort, Mercury Cougar. No Focus ever came with VCT. This is likely a Contour engine to start. It matters as a few things were different between them such as flywheel size etc.

 

 

[Alex-Ks1]

On this wheel cover lock , why drive your self crazy doing things that WONT work , the lock is hardened  Steele , pack window putty around the out side of the area where the lock is , then take a MIG WELDER and weld a nut to it , dirt  simple  your going to toss the old locks away ... Let the tools do the work 

[Alex-Ks1]

BTW , I have done this many times. most wheel lock keys are lost with time 

[FE07]

2001 SLR,

Vovchandr and I have very similar cars both being SLR's.  Check to see if your nose and wings are carbon fiber.  They should be on an SLR.  Your engine is similar to how mine started although mine has been modified since I bought it.  Don't have any idea on the key for your wheel covers since mine came without them as well as Vlads.  I have the same header 'socks' as yours and given your location, this car was probably put together by Chip Bond at GT Classics in Charlottesville, VA.

 

Quite the nice barn find!!

 

Jim

[MV8]

This is just a screw to hold a cover on, not a locking lug nut. It may not be hardened.

ALL the methods described could work; it depends in part on who is wielding the tools.

Pick the ones to try that are least likely to damage anything first.

If all else fails and out of desperation, you must try to weld around your MAGNESIUM centers, cover the entire wheel so the mig spatter doesn't damage the finish.

 

 

 

[2001SLR]

Thanks for the help everyone! I will be trying a couple of these methods in the next few days. Yes the nose, and wings are both carbon fiber. This particular car was built by Mid-Atlantic Caterham in DE. From what looks like the final assembly inspection pictures the car did not get assembled with the spare tire but you can see the holder for license plate, license plate light, and spare tire cradle can be seen. I am wondering if this is the first SLR for the US in 2001 as the order form shows the initial date of January 18th 2001. Can anyone confirm that the 5 speed transmissions are Mazda transmissions? Looking for info to drain(side of tunnel maybe?) and refill. Thanks again everyone!

Edited August 17, 2022 by 2001SLR

[Vovchandr]

Very peculiar. Thanks for sharing. Not sure what number you'd be (the production number is blurred out on your VIN) mine is 22117, but you might be the only one with a rear exhaust and leather bench seat. Some US SLR's had their 7th letter of the vin be an S for "SLR" but truly it doesn't matter as it was more of an honorary markup title as an SLR could be optioned out to be a non SLR essentially and a non SLR could have most of the SLR options added on. Due to the kit nature of the car the specialty of that title came from certain intangible things that were available in the UK like a factory assembly and a numbered plaque that were not offered in the states. (I believe some SLR's do have a non numerated plaque in the US)

 

Biggest tell tales of the trim were carbon nose/fenders (front and rear), carbon dash, SLR stickers, wide track suspension, killswitch, limited slip diff, and SLR wheels as well as a potent power train and I believe typically a lack of heater and spare tire in order to achieve the "super light" status to bear the name that the package bears. With that said my chassis just like many came with spare tire holder that was deleted, a heater, washer fluid etc all of which counter the intent. 

 

Looking through the official data base of tracked numerated models they had all sorts of variations even in official trim

 

https://www.thecaterhamregister.net/superlight Rs.htm

 

Some had leather seats, some had chrome headlamps/windshield/, some had different wheels, some had heaters, etc

 

They all should have had the same engine however. 

 

Special features: Carbon fibre wings, nose, dash and mirrors, Perspex wind deflector, GRP seats

Engine: Rover VHPD (Very High Performance derivative) 1800 K-Series

Maximum power: 190bhp @ 7500rpm

Max torque: 150lb ft @ 5750rpm

Gearbox: Caterham 6 speed c/w limited slip differential

Brakes: 10" ventilated front with four-pot callipers, 9" solid rear

Weight: 490kg

First Chassis no. 20538 (car no.1 chassis no.20873)

Edited August 17, 2022 by Vovchandr

[JohnCh]

5 hours ago, 2001SLR said:

Can anyone confirm that the 5 speed transmissions are Mazda transmissions? Looking for info to drain(side of tunnel maybe?) and refill.

 

The Mazda box wasn't fitted until much later.  The 5 speed from that era is a Ford Type-9.  Lots of information on that gearbox, including drain plug location, can be found here in the Downloads section.  

 

-John

 

[Alex-Ks1]

I can't take this car any where with out a crowd of people standing around it asking questions , it's a good feeling .And most of the questions are ,, how much and where can I get one 

[Austin David]

3 minutes ago, Alex-Ks1 said:

I can't take this car any where with out a crowd of people standing around it asking questions , it's a good feeling .And most of the questions are ,, how much and where can I get one 

I'm surprised when I find someone who knows what it is.  But yeah, always a conversation (or 3) when I stop.

[Christopher smith]

I think it is because Ferraris started to look like Toyotas or was it the other way around? So who needs aerodynamics anyway? And yes, we stand out!

[wdb]

Hi all, I'm Dave and I just bought a 1995 Caterham Super Seven that was recently offered on Bring a Trailer. It was a bit of kismet I think; the car went up for sale last year, it was not far from me, and I really wanted to at least go see it. But I was caring for an ailing parent and going off chasing little yellow cars was not an option. So reluctantly I watched as it sold to someone besides me. Fast forward about a year and, lo and behold, the car is once again up for auction on BaT! Still nearby, still with the same owner in fact -- the first sale had fallen through. This time I was free to go see it, crawl around it, meet the owner, and eventually win the auction. Owning a Lotus is one of my bucket list items and as far as I'm concerned this gives me a checkmark.

 

Rather than post a bunch of pictures I'll just link the auction. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/caterham-super-seven-2/

 

I also have my first question, namely just how badly do Cortina gearboxes leak? Because mine appears to be leaking from the front, back, top and possibly also where the tailpiece bolts to the main box. I'll start another thread on that rather than clutter things up here.

[Taber10]

On 8/16/2022 at 4:39 PM, Vovchandr said:

You have VCT which is variable cam timing which is the 5th plug in front of spark plugs.......

You will occasionally see people talking about an SVT Zetec engine.......

Zetecs were used in Ford Focus, Ford Contour, Ford Escort, Mercury Cougar. No Focus ever came with VCT..... 

 

Maybe it is just me, but I find your statements (quoted above) somewhat confusing, in that the Focus came with the SVT motor and one of the readily identifiable characteristics of the SVT motor is the Variable Cam Timing (VCT) and the "5th plug in front of spark plugs."  I think the Focus SVT was produced from 2002 to 2004 and is readily identifiable through the "5" in the VIN.

[Vovchandr]

26 minutes ago, Taber10 said:

Maybe it is just me, but I find your statements (quoted above) somewhat confusing, in that the Focus came with the SVT motor and one of the readily identifiable characteristics of the SVT motor is the Variable Cam Timing (VCT) and the "5th plug in front of spark plugs."  I think the Focus SVT was produced from 2002 to 2004 and is readily identifiable through the "5" in the VIN.

 

SVT is a very different motor than regular Zetec but is part of the whole family. It also has variable came timing but on the intake cam rather than exhaust. The "VCT" label you on valve covers belongs to regular Zetec family that had it on the exhaust cam. 

 

So when I say VCT it refers to the Zetecs that had it on the exhaust cam and were labeled as such. 

[DSK]

I consult to startup companies, primarily those with engineered products such as medical devices. Many of my clients hire me for strategic advice and/or to conceive and write a business plan. 

 

I delivered newspapers from a magazine shop in the 1950s and devoured every hot rod and sports car magazine in the store. Reading about the Seven led to drawing souped-up versions in study hall. A friend ordered a 100E Seven as a complete car, but it arrived as a kit. I ended up screwing it together for him, and he let me use a lot. I had a Lotus Seven shop for a while. Great fun!

[ok7]

Hello ALL! I’ve been lurking in the background on this site for quite some time. I’s time to introduce myself.

 

Last May I brought home an unfinished Stalker from 2005. By my account I’m the 5th maybe 6th owner of this car. I’ve spent the past several months taking inventory of what is there and what is missing…. Had I taken better inventory and done more research I probably should have passed on this car. That’s all behind me and I have a wonderful puzzle or maybe multiple puzzles in parallel ahead of me!

 

 

My short-term goal is to see if I can get the engine to run. From records/receipts, the engine has been sitting since 2007. The wiring harness was missing, so I went to work finding a salvage one, and reworking it. All the fluids were drained and refreshed. Earlier this week was my first attempt to power up and see if the starter would turn over the car and build oil pressure. SUCCESS! Then I powered up the PCM and was able to read codes from it! Another success.

I’m now working on pluming the fuel and cooling systems. While continuing to assess overall condition of past owners’ steps….

More to come
 

[JohnCh]

That sounds like a challenging project!  Definitely start a thread in the Build section so we can follow along.

 

Cheers,

John