Inherited Westfield SE

[olley]

Hy guys just joined, my late brother bought this Westy about 10 years ago s/h, he sadly died last October and I originally decided to sell it, but after a bit of reflection I have along with my son-in-law decided to keep it, and maybe try a few trackdays/hill climb.

So looking for some help. It was registered in 1990, so it's an old one but seems in good nick, it's just gone through the Mot. today without  any problems. The engine is a 1600cc Xflow. I want if possible to get a taller screen and another higher roll bar as I think at the moment if I roll it I will have my neck shortened. With those it should be possible to get hood for it as well that doesn't rest on my head. 

I also want a new steering wheel either with a flat bottom or even demountable, can anyone identify the type I need to fit the splines?

Any other advice would be gratefully received.

Thanks olley

[Mighty Mart]

Hello mate and a warm welcome.

Looks like an allegro column but someone with more knowledge than me can verify that!

Plenty of wheel choice from cheap to expensive, and detachable bosses from loads of suppliers at varying prices too.

The search function will reveal most of the solutions.

Nice looking car by the way.....you will enjoy, of that I have no doubt!

Mart

[Mark (smokey mow)]

Welcome to the club Olley  

i thought the column was escort as the allegro ones are generally secured with a bolt rather than a nut? Either way it probalby doesn't matter if you're looking to upgrade to a detachable wheel as with these the top of the column is cut off and a replaced with a welded on slug for the new boss.

There was no taller screen option for the early cars, they only came in one height so if you want to go higher then you'll likely need to get something custom made.  I'd suggest looking at the seats instead to sit yourself lower in the car, removing the runners if you have them will gain you a few inches or alternatively look at some of the fibreglass shell type seats such as Tillet or JK.

[Jon Wilkinson]

Hi, I know the taller guy's have the lowered floor option, I presume it can be retrofitted, might be a possibility as the race approved rollbar are taller but I'm not sure if the hood will fit over them, welcome to the club. 

[Chris Brading]

I think you have done the right thing, it will be a good reminder for you.

Good luck.

[olley]

1 hour ago, Mark (smokey mow) said:

Welcome to the club Olley  

i thought the column was escort as the allegro ones are generally secured with a bolt rather than a nut? Either way it probalby doesn't matter if you're looking to upgrade to a detachable wheel as with these the top of the column is cut off and a replaced with a welded on slug for the new boss.

There was no taller screen option for the early cars, they only came in one height so if you want to go higher then you'll likely need to get something custom made.  I'd suggest looking at the seats instead to sit yourself lower in the car, removing the runners if you have them will gain you a few inches or alternatively look at some of the fibreglass shell type seats such as Tillet or JK.

Cut and weld a slug on, so that's how it done well that's no problem, son-in-law is a welder. The seats as far as I know are fixed to the floor with no adjustment, but I will check on that. Pity about the screen, guess I will have to live with that. 

 

[Trevor Little (Trevturtle) - Treasurer]

Welcome,

If you are free May day bank holiday , come along to Stoneleigh and there will lots of west fields to look at  and knowledgeable members to help you.

Volunteer to help over the weekend and camping/entry  is free,  more details here

[SootySport]

Best to sort the seat position first then the steering wheel.  If you go for the weld on adaptor, the son in law can fit it to your correct length but you will need to remove the upper column to weld it correctly.  90% of the steering wheels come in 6 hole with a pcd of 70 or 74mm and likewise the bosses and quick release are also 70 or 74mm pcd.

Its a nice idea to keep the car in the family, something for you all to remember you brother for a long time yet.

[1960dave]

What size nut is on the column? If its a huge Whitworth one its allego one but if its about 22m then its Escort. The roll bar with the rear stays on are taller but it hits some hood frames ( Thats why I am selling mine soon) 

[Gary Taylor]

Welcome and that’s a lovely looking westy, hope you get lots of fun out of her 

[ci_newman]

Welcome to the club, I have an SE too

As has been mentioned, there aren't any off-the-shelf products to make the windscreen higher, but you can buy "RAC type" roll bars which will alleviate your roll-over worries (changing mine is on my to-do list too). Most likely you'll need to get the existing roof custom modified / extending to fit over the new roll bar though, I haven't worked out what to do with mine in this regard yet. Maybe some kind of extension piece on the bottom of the hood to give it the extra length... 

[hammie]

Olley

I have just replaced my seats with an unknown make but in fibreglass and it has reduced my position lower in the car by about 100mm which takes my eye line to just above half way up the screen. Before it was in line so I had to peer above or below the screen surround. 

Hope that helps

 

[stephenh]

That rollover bar wouldn't give much protection in the event of a roll over anyway, So either don't worry about its height or, more sensibly, fit a braced rollover bar.

[DonPeffers]

from sunny Scotland.

[GaryD1971]

from Norfolk. Definitely made the right choice in keeping the car. Looks great.