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Believe it or not there are only 8 weeks left until Stoneleigh 2017. You're not coming I hear you say, Get to your room and don't come out until you've seen sense. Its going to be a good one because you lot will be there. It doesn't work without you.

No free tool roll for you then. Or free pork dinner. Or free beer. More for us, then! We will lift a glass in your memory!

Haven't updated the thread for a while, but of course you're all following my blog... right?!? Next stop, sorting out last years spaghetti...

After running out of fuel a couple of times in quick succession in 2013 when I first got my car I invested in a couple of "fuel friend" petrol containers which fitted nicely into the WF boot box. They did give me peace of mind, and came in handy a couple of times subsequently when I (knowingly) did a few too many miles looking for a petrol station out over the moors of deepest Wales. There was one small niggle however in that although the containers only held 2 litres of petrol each, which is good for another 25/30 careful miles in the S2000, they would never completely seal to the point where I couldn't smell fumes each time I ventured into the bootbox. I had them bagged and wrapped in bubble-wrap but the distinct petrol smell was still there. After searching far and wide, I stumbled upon Rotopax. Their containers (petrol/diesel/water/first aid) are used extensively in the long-range touring biking community and by some extreme off-roaders. They're built really well, have a bullet-proof reputation (well, not literally) and come with a lifetime guarantee against leakage of any kind. The snag is that although a few motorcycle dealers sell them here in the UK, they don't seem to be able to get hold of the entire range of sizes and capacities (I know, as I emailed most of them) and stick to what sells best for the bikers. I was specifically interested in the 2 gallon petrol container as the dimensions (17.75 x 13.25 x 3 inches) would fit well when slipped in behind my passenger seat. I had already purchased a used 3 gallon variant from ebay which at 16 x 15 x 4.5 inches meant pulling the seat too far forward for my liking. Anyway, I re-sold the 3 gallon one after a few days. I went direct to Rotopax and they delivered within about 2 weeks, although with delivery and import duty I didn't get much change from $100 (~£82). https://rotopax.com/2-gallon-gasoline.html Yes it's a lot of cash but it meets my needs (and yes I've read countless articles about carrying spare fuel). It slots behind the passenger seat quite easily. Note: 1 US gallon is eqivalent to 0.83 imperial gallons, so my container holds 7.6 litres. It might be of interest to members planning a long-range trip if, like me, you're constrained by a 22 litre tank and you want to carry spare fuel in a safe container.

Agree with you Ian, having just reread the ad, a chambered head (from a very early crossflow) is normally used with flat top forged pistons to create a high CR engine - you would not use this with 1300 pistons as they have a chamber in the top. I'm torn between feeling like there's too many question marks to make this a risk free purchase, alongside also seeing the potential from the spec list. I think I come back to it being a good buy at £1000-£1500 with the plan to budget £1000 to take it apart and answer those questions for yourself. Have you got a car to put it in yet??

It all depends on what you want from the car. A Zetec is an easy option, anyone could put one in and it will be boringly reliable, BUT for me, it just doesn't have that 'cool' factor. To me the X-Flow is an engine that makes me feel good just by lifting the bonnet.. I don't even have to start it it has character that modern engines lack, and that smell... modern engines just don't smell like that. But it comes at a price..

The last mailshot has now left..... Its up'ed the profile of the Speed Series and I know I have spoke to several new people because of it! so a big that you to @graham frankland for all his efforts. I know we have issues over some of the dates in the mailshots/calendars but in the background there has been days spent on negotiations with other club organiser trying to sort them out.... its been hard work and finally there... Now moving onto Blyton 2017 So sign up, get the T shirt and enjoy the craic Cheers John "Panda" Williams Competition Secretary

As a v8 owner with range anxiety and a 35 litre tank, I love this idea over a seat belt attached 5 litre standard can. I once ran out in roadworks on the m1 as my junction was closed and then made it 27 miles on 5 litres with a carpet slipper foot and fumes. Will be in touch with them soon, thank you

My pre-lit crossflow cost me a load more than 2 grand, more like double. It had offset roller rockers on the top ( Titan) . I had a cylinder head which cost nearly £800 alone and was pretty well developed. I had a lightweight steel flywheel, duplex adjustable timing pulley. It also had the main bearing caps replaced with steel ones and line bored. The pistons were 83.5mm Arias forged , which gave it a true 1699cc. It had a hp oil pump, jenvey alloy wet sump also Running a Newman special cam too. Power was a 'genuine' 145 bhp with reliability thrown in. The list of those parts would far outweigh the cost of 2 grand and was probably one of the reasons the current Mrs TJ , became the previous Mrs TJ . But here is the issue. For the money I spent, I could have had a brand new Zetec on the same carbs with more power and probably a few grand in the bank. Crossflows are lovely little engines, but to get more than 145 bhp is definately possible with an open wallet, but to get to 180bhp of untractable road engine, you can get the same bhp from a Zetec , standard engine, albeit a 2ltr.

Personally I think if the spec and parts are right as others have said then I think its about the right cost. Its got some nice buts on there. But. there are a few things that don't sound quite right to me. 150bhp from a Cross flow is quite a lot and it would need some good head work and forged pistons to do this. The comment of about 10:1 as BCF says is a bit worrying. That exhaust looks pants. lol. Now the bit that I am not too sure about so happy to be proved wrong, but something worth checking. I didn't think those pistons were for use on a chambered head. Most Cross flows (especially 711 blocks) had a flat head and combustion chamber in the pistons as these seem to have so also having a chambered head doesn't sound right to me. Hopfully some one who has had this set up will be here in a min to tell me I am wrong. I believe that type of head is now quite rare though so probably more valuable Cheers Ian

I hit a seam of gold with my wife too, alas it's mostly on her fingers, wrists and neck.

Thanks! that was a present from me to me. The wife got me a beer garden!

As I've just bought myself a new lathe I'm offering my old Atlas 6" bench top lathe for sale. These were manufactured between 1936 and 1974, making this particular one at least 40 years old by the time it came into my ownership. I'd describe it as a good starter lathe for making small simple parts from soft metals such as aluminium or plastics although it will put a hole down the centre of a steel bar without too much effort. Mainly I've used it for turning spacers and bushes from aluminium. Theres a few accessories included with the lathe including a tailstock chuck, some cutting tools and centres etc. I'll try and compile a full list and get some photos at the weekend. Unfortunately the power feed for thread cutting isn't working as the engagement paws have worn probably from a lifetime and years of use. I've occasionally seen replacements come up for sale on eBay but I've never had the need to replacement. Being honest I also personally think that the lathe could benefit from a having larger drive pulley or faster motor to improve the cutting speed. The speed is ok for very small diameter parts but is a bit slow for larger items even on the fastest belt settings. There's a lot more details about these lathes here http://www.lathes.co.uk/atlas6inch/ http://www.lathes.co.uk/craftsman6inchmk1/ Asking £180 and obviously collection only from Colchester

Subject to weather me and my youngest will be going for the first time

I should think so too...

Sunday for us, a spot of volunteering first off, before going round the show and finishing off with a little piggy. No beer though, I am driving home afterwards.

Yep. Saturday to Monday for me and the North East Posse

Sat to Mon

Indeed this is the way I will have to go.

Sat to Mon for me

Last time I went to this show was about 1986 - most have been one of the very early ones - perhaps its time to return

I'll be there... if it starts... and runs... and it is dry... and sunny... (*) (*) only some of these apply

Me too. Mostly underneath Scott's car.

Saturday to Monday for me as well.

I'll be there from Saturday to Monday.

Yes, thats the standard Ford oil light switch. You have everything you need on the block. Happy Days

Was nearly ready to add you to my spam box. No, only joking. Good luck for the season John.

second this - got mine here only this week! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ROTOPAX-SAVE-2-Gallon-ROTOPAX-Fuel-Pack-Fuel-Container-Fuel-Can-/232179456241?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368

Hi Ben , yes I'm based in stafford so ideal central location for you if you would like to message me with your requirements ill have a look at it for you no problem or give me a call on 07803280406 cheers Iain

My feelings exactly and the whole point of owning this type of car IMO. The car needs to drive your heart.

Over the years I have driven a caterham with race spec k series, 6 speed box and it was very quick but I didn't want it. within a few weeks I drove a nice sorted older caterham with a 1700 mighty crossflow which had loads of work on it and well sorted. I don't remember the exact engine spec. The sound was so invocative. The power delivery was great and I loved the way it came on cam. It was that car which made me want a 7... and hence now I have the Westfield. The zetec i have is value power for money but no sole, I feel no passion fire the engine just the way it makes the car go. The cross flow has a sole.

If the chassis is right for you and the right price, buy it and just wait. An engine will turn up and in the mean time you can be doing stuff to the chassis. That would be my way of doing it. Good luck

That is the standard oil pressure switch try your wire on that for the oil light

The higher weight saving number relates to the overall construction of the car with the rotary engine The 12 kgs came from the carbon centre section manufacturer at the show Depending where you start from it is possible to get 12 kgs out of a traditional car without the level of expense for the carbon fibre centre section! The intial purpose of this project was to demonstrate weight savings to improve the the overall efficiency of the vehicle and to obtain funding to undertake the project! I think we have to watch this space to see how commercially viable it turns out to be! Regards Graham (aka Glutey)

we now have a competition number and the regs have now been adopted!!! Been fighting with them since before christmas