What do these mean??

[Azzurri]

I am on the verge of buying my first Westie and need to know what the following mean and whether its better to have them or not, thanks for your feedback, Gav.

1) Dry Sump

2) 285 Cam

3) Rolling Chassis

4) Gas-flowed cylinder head

5) still undecided on engines, if you could have any of the   following what would it be, 1600 cvh, 1700 xflow, 2.0 Pinto,

Thanks for your time....Gav.

[Blatman]

Dry sump.

Very desirable. It means that the oil is not held in the sump, but in a seperate tank, and is pumped around by an external, belt driven oil pump. This is the best and safest oil system to have.

285 cam.

A cam with a specific profile of 285 degrees. It refers to how much cam duration there is, ie, how long the valves stay open for. VERY generally speaking, longer duration cams produce more power than "standard" cams, but they need to have other modifications carried out to the valve gear (and maybe pistons) to prevent excessive wear/piston contact.

Rolling chassis.

Normally means a part built car with the suspension/wheels/driveline/brakes fitted, but not necessarilly an engine.

Gas flowed cylinder head

A much mis-used term IMO. Indicates that the head has had some attention paid to enlarging the inlet and exhaust ports in order that they flow more gas (IE fuel in and exhaust out....). Gas flowing is actually putting the head onto a flow bench and measuring the volume of gas that the head can flow, in order to estimate more accurately how much power you can get, and how best to spec other components, like cams, in order to realise the best performance for the modifications carried out.

In order of preference, with future upgrades in mind

X-flow

CVH

Pinto

For the simple reason that if you swap either the X-flow or CVH for a more modern engine (Zetec or Vx XE) then you'll not have to cut any more holes in the body or bonnet to accommodate the new exhausts and carbs (you might have to enlarge one or two, though). A Pinto has inlet and exhaust on opposite sides to all the above mentioned engines, making a future swap potentially expensive when you add in extensive bodywork modifications.

Me, I'd be looking for a Vx, or Zetec engined car from the get go............

[Azzurri]

Thanks for the information blatman, that has helped me out,

especially the rolling chassis, I have looked at a few of those in a few car mags, and I would of looked a right plonker turning up at the sellers house and asking for a test drive!!

 

[Azzurri]

Blatman,

I dont think my budget will stretch to a later Zetec or 16v,

but out of the three engines I quoted, 1600 cvh, 1700 xflow and 2.0 Pinto which is the quickest on acceleration, mid-range and top end? and ignoring any future plans for upgrading would you still put those engines in the same order, as I was leaning towards a 1700 xflow or Pinto, Thanks Gav.

[Blatman]

Define fastest.........no don't bother, it'll take too long. Instead have a look at the thread entitled "Who's got the biggest.........", by searching in the last 30 days for the word "define".

As for best performance, it's not just about power. A well set up (suspension wise) 120bhp crossflow will p*** all over a poorly set up 160bhp Pinto on a twisty road, but might lose out in the Max Power traffic light Grand Prix. So you need decide what use the car will be put to before deciding on which would be a more ideal spec.

IMO, you WILL want more power after a while, and swapping out a CVH or a X-flow will be far less problematic. Of the three though, I reckon a Pinto will be able to put out the most power, and retain some reliability, BUT, it's a heavy old lump (weighs more than a Rover V8.......), so the power to weight ratio needs to be considered when looking at what's "fastest".

[Mike H]

I am on the verge of buying my first Westie and need to know what the following mean and whether its better to have them or not, thanks for your feedback, Gav.

Gav,

The usual advice also includes:

"Make sure you go to a show or your local area meeting to see what's what and talk to a few owners first."

The next big show is Donington on Sep 14/15. Assuming the usual collection of Westfields are there you should go to make sure you know what to look for when buying. Most owners a pretty friendly and will talk about their cars for hours.

I would do as much investigation as poss. to avoid buying a shed!

good luck

Mike

[Bryan Hayes]

Define fastest.........no don't bother, it'll take too long. Instead have a look at the thread entitled "Who's got the biggest.........", by searching in the last 30 days for the word "define".

As for best performance, it's not just about power. A well set up (suspension wise) 120bhp crossflow will p*** all over a poorly set up 160bhp Pinto on a twisty road, but might lose out in the Max Power traffic light Grand Prix. So you need decide what use the car will be put to before deciding on which would be a more ideal spec.

IMO, you WILL want more power after a while, and swapping out a CVH or a X-flow will be far less problematic. Of the three though, I reckon a Pinto will be able to put out the most power, and retain some reliability, BUT, it's a heavy old lump (weighs more than a Rover V8.......), so the power to weight ratio needs to be considered when looking at what's "fastest".

Over and above the very sensible advice re holes in the body work and future upgrades, the cross flow has to be the choice.

Cheap to run, should be very reliable and no silly cam belts to snap.

[Blatman]

But check the specs very carefully. 1700 crossflows have a habit of being supplied with (1300cc Escort. Yes really.......) cast pistons, which have a habit of breaking up when stressed. If forged pistons have been fitted, then you're OK.

[JimNoble]

In order of preference, with future upgrades in mind

X-flow

CVH

Pinto

For the simple reason that if you swap either the X-flow or CVH for a more modern engine (Zetec or Vx XE) then you'll not have to cut any more holes in the body or bonnet to accommodate the new exhausts and carbs (you might have to enlarge one or two, though). A Pinto has inlet and exhaust on opposite sides to all the above mentioned engines, making a future swap potentially expensive when you add in extensive bodywork modifications.

Me, I'd be looking for a Vx, or Zetec engined car from the get go............

Doesn't the new Duratec engine have the same carb/exhaust layout as the Pinto...?

Zetecs will be around for ages yet though...

Jim

[Blatman]

Yup. Duratec is the "natural" successor to the Pinto and atmo Cossie, as it has inlet and exhaust on the "wrong" side. I'd wait a couple of years too.........in fact, enough time to save up some money.........