1978 Caterham brake kits needed.

[wbMoore]

….so here is some photo proof of what slows the car. It is as I thought: the front calipers are not releasing. I forced them open which helped but they need a rebuild. I tried Dave Bean on Friday but they were closed. Does anybody recognize what rearend it is ? It seems to be fine but I might as well address those brakes also. T.I.A.

[MV8]

Looks like the ford axle. Measure diagonally between the wheel studs. It should be 4.25" versus 3.75".

 

EDIT: Definitely ford. I just noticed the ford emblem on the drum.

Edited June 21 by MV8

[wbMoore]

WOW !  You got You some EXCELLENT eye site.   Took me a while to find it, but there it is !   It is 4-1/4”.  Now I just need to determine what year and from what model of Ford it is from. THANKS.

[IamScotticus]

13 hours ago, panamericano said:

The correct answer is Tazio Nuvolari

This was my next guess

[IamScotticus]

Lucky you.  There is plenty of parts support and an LSD to drop in. I would think the Cortina and Escort forums will have plenty of help.  The diff has numbers but I suspect you will want to find numbers on the axle housing, or on a tag.  Drum sizes change between production years, even mid-year. Looks like you have 9" drums.

Get a copy of Tony Weale's 7 book.

Edited June 22 by IamScotticus

[EdWills]

The shape of the diff nose piece gives it away as a Ford Escort axle, (Cortina nose piece may not have the 'lip' on the very front). Also the 9 inch rear brakes (and of course the 'Ford' logo - well spotted MV8!).  The diff for the RS2000 was 3.54:1 ratio.  There was an alternative at approx. 3.9:1 but this was special order from Caterham, as they predominantly used the 3.54 unit. The ratio you have should be on the tag bolted to the casing. The Girling (later taken over by Lucas U.K.) front callipers should be the 14LF caliper assembly rather than the 12P model.  Confusing?  I should say so. Ages ago I wrote to Girling - as like you - I wanted to rebuild the calipers (English spelling?) on my Lotus Seven.  From the caliper i.d. numbers, Lucas/Girling identified my 1969 Series 3 Seven as fitted with Mk 14LF 111B calipers used on the Triumph Spitfire Mk3 and Mk4 cars and the Herald 1200 and 13/60 models from around 1968 -1972. Apparently the 14LF came in 2 options, brake hose in from the top of the caliper, or from the side.  The internal parts should all be the same.  Girling did not recommend splitting the caliper bodies (after I had done it!), but as another forum member has noted, you should replace the small 'O' ring between the halves if you do decide to split them.  I do not know the correct torque setting for the bolts to tighten them up unfortunately, but there are recommendations from a number of sources on-line for the correct setting for the size of bolt. The 12P caliper had a slightly smaller swept area than the 14LF. If Bean cannot help, any motor parts dealer that sells replacement parts for the Triumph Herald or Spitfire should be able to supply a rebuild kit for the front brakes.  I am not selling for Burton Performance U.K., but they carry all of the parts for the Ford axles (even though most axles have been out of production for ages).  They drop the pricey U.K. sales tax, and only charge for the part(s) and postage.  If not in a hurry, get them to send by Royal Mail, tracked and insured.  If in a hurry, I believe they prefer DHL.  The front calipers should have designation numbers on the 2 halves.  Girling sent me a list of all the parts for their calipers, and if you want to, you can send me the numbers and I can try to advise what kit is required.  N.B. Tony Weale's book is commanding ridiculous prices on 'the bay', but if you need one, I know of a source that has one for sale at a reasonable price (not me!). Cheers.W.

Edited June 22 by EdWills

[EdWills]

Hi WB. I checked the part number of your caliper with my Girling reference, and your caliper is exactly the same part number as the caliper fitted to my 1968 built, 1969 registered Lotus factory constructed Seven Series 3.  There must have been a very adequate supply of these items coming out of Girling/Lucas for Standard Triumph, Lotus, Caterham, Marcos, Formula Ford constructors, plus various kit-car producers of the time.  You have the 14LF 111B type calipers.   Pegasus of New Berlin, Wisconsin carry the 14LF repair kits, and the seal that fits between the halves if necessary, plus pistons and various pad compounds for the 14LF.  I have no connection to Pegasus (I wish I did!), but I have always found this company to be very helpful, and they carry a lot of parts that are suitable for a 7.  They also have a kit for the Girling 12P caliper and pistons etc.

Good luck with your rebuild. W.

[wdb]

Another thumb up for Pegasus. They may not be the cheapest but they are extraordinarily helpful, and if it's on their web site it's on their shelf.

[IamScotticus]

Type 14LF are widely available as rebuilds or new old stock at very reasonable prices.  Unless you have real desire to rebuild, I think buying ready to run calipers is the way.  You can take time to refresh and upgrade the old ones wirh stainless pistons,  etc. 

Chance is very good the old calipers aren't worth the effort.

Pegasus,  Dave Bean , Spitbits, Moss, Rimmer Bros.

 

Like @EdWills points out, the availability of these BL parts...one of the best reasons to choose an older Caterham is the parts are still out there.

Even a new Xflow block.