1700 Ford Cross-Flow
Discussion
Howdy Y'all.
In a moment of boredom I just thought I'd cheer myself up and enter the world of Caterham for a while.
Bought a Super 7 Super Sprint. Now, I have to admit that I know very little about the 7 as it's been (modern) Lotus and Porsche over the last few years. This car, as I understand, has the 1700 Ford Crossflow Engine with a Kent Stage 2 cam, 45 Webers, and aluminium sump. The engine has been blueprinted and balanced.
I don't pick up till later in the week, so in the meantime can anyone who's ever owned one of these little beasties tell me what to expect? Also, is there much scope for increasng the power on this (dinosaur) engine without breaking the bank (or the engine)?
Chuffed to bits as it's in great shape and low miles - a toy that I just might keep.
Cheers
MM
In a moment of boredom I just thought I'd cheer myself up and enter the world of Caterham for a while.
Bought a Super 7 Super Sprint. Now, I have to admit that I know very little about the 7 as it's been (modern) Lotus and Porsche over the last few years. This car, as I understand, has the 1700 Ford Crossflow Engine with a Kent Stage 2 cam, 45 Webers, and aluminium sump. The engine has been blueprinted and balanced.
I don't pick up till later in the week, so in the meantime can anyone who's ever owned one of these little beasties tell me what to expect? Also, is there much scope for increasng the power on this (dinosaur) engine without breaking the bank (or the engine)?
Chuffed to bits as it's in great shape and low miles - a toy that I just might keep.
Cheers
MM
Hi there! Places like BlatChat have a lot more info on these sevens, e.g. www.blatchat.com/t.asp?Id=112881
No idea what cam a "Kent stage 2" is, I assume something like a 244? Not worth risking tuning it much without lots of expense; cheaper to get a later K powered car in the first place?
No idea what cam a "Kent stage 2" is, I assume something like a 244? Not worth risking tuning it much without lots of expense; cheaper to get a later K powered car in the first place?
You've just about summed it up. I've a 1600 x/f 7 and yes they are great to tinker with, especially the twin 40's.
That was one of my reasons for a x/f v K series. However if you are concerned about MPG, then the K is a better option. If you start to look at tuning the 1700 I think your £'s per fun factor would be expensive, however, you pays your money ....... etc.
That was one of my reasons for a x/f v K series. However if you are concerned about MPG, then the K is a better option. If you start to look at tuning the 1700 I think your £'s per fun factor would be expensive, however, you pays your money ....... etc.
From talking to other 7 owners, 1700 cc Crossflow 7s tend to have more problems than the less strssed 1600 cc Crossflows.
One of the problems with all Crossflow 7s is that many were built by Caterham themselves (with their own tuned Crossflows) but many were also built from starter kits by their owners who sourced their own engines.
If you are not that mechanically minded and would like some "experts" to look at the car, I would highly recommend Redline Compnents who are actually based in Caterham town centre, not far from the Caterham showroom. Mick and John are top blokes and will put you right every time. I have been using them for ten years and they have been excellent. They have been working on Sevens since the late 1960s and specialise in older models - especially Crossflow variants.
They will even chat to you over the phobe if you want to discuss your problem.
One of the problems with all Crossflow 7s is that many were built by Caterham themselves (with their own tuned Crossflows) but many were also built from starter kits by their owners who sourced their own engines.
If you are not that mechanically minded and would like some "experts" to look at the car, I would highly recommend Redline Compnents who are actually based in Caterham town centre, not far from the Caterham showroom. Mick and John are top blokes and will put you right every time. I have been using them for ten years and they have been excellent. They have been working on Sevens since the late 1960s and specialise in older models - especially Crossflow variants.
They will even chat to you over the phobe if you want to discuss your problem.
Edited by Eric Mc on Friday 18th August 08:59
MunkeeMan said:
Cheers chaps.
I'm learning more and more as I go on.
The battery was defo flat when I got home, so I'm guessing that the battery was doing all the work for most of my journey home! Spoke to the engine builders (HWR Racing) on the phone and they figure that it's mos likely an alternator/battery issue. Also spoke about Duratec conversions.. something for next year methinks!
I'm learning more and more as I go on.
The battery was defo flat when I got home, so I'm guessing that the battery was doing all the work for most of my journey home! Spoke to the engine builders (HWR Racing) on the phone and they figure that it's mos likely an alternator/battery issue. Also spoke about Duratec conversions.. something for next year methinks!
HWR - bloke in Newcastle? I spoke to him about a supposed R500 chassis that he had once...
My first Caterham had a xflow engine. I re-built it with a mate to 1700 spec, it had forged pistons etc and was totally reliable. The sad fact about xflows, is that you do sometimes have to tinker, carbs need re-ballancing etc. My engine used to kill alternators every couple of years, due possibly to them spinning faster than they were designed to on a standard tin top, plus a recon alternator sometimes doesn't last long at all. Good thing is, alternators are cheap and if you bust it within a year, you can exchange for a new one :-))
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