Hi everyone,
I've just bought a rolling chassis locost style, At the moment it's a complete chassis with front suspension, cortina or capri back axle?? seats, steering rack/coloum, wheels, all panels fitted and a very old looking pedal box. The chap i bought it off has had it for 12 months and done nothing with it but he doesn't know what parts where used for any of the suspension or steering and exactly what the back axle is out of! I want to try and get it on the road for next summer and have got a few questions which i'm sure are already on the forum but scattered in lots of different posts! Firstly I am planning on using a Sierra as a donor, either 1.8 or 2.0 so a: does anyone know of one around Cornwall i've noticed there are a few members from down here and b: I've read that the engine is too deep and needs some mod's to the sump and rocker cover- could anyone shed some more light on this please? My next question is should i leave all the "unknown" running gear on the chassis or replace it all with stuff from the donor car? Next question.... Other than the parts i can strip off the donor how many other major parts will i hace to purchase, eg fuel tank, brake bias bar ect.
Thats all i can think of for now, i'm sorry for being vauge in most of the things i've asked and thanks inn advance for anyone who spends the time to read this post and answer any of qustions. One last thing, are there any clubs/meets in Cornwall i could attend and have good look around a completed car? Thabks again Ben.

Hi

In no specific order...

Welcome - it's a great place to be - you'll like it.

The search button is your friend - it's all been done before. Hopefully someone will be along soon to give you specific answers as well though.

Cornwall - I fancy a week holiday down there sometime soon. I'm fed up with all the rain up here.

ditto zil's comment - any questions which are asked and could be answered will be. Not by me probably as you sound like you are going CEC (car engined car) we have BEC (bike engined car) some bit's we may be able to help you with. Good luck with the build and a big hearted welcome.

Welcome to the Mad House ben we are all here to help

Hi Ben,
There are quite a few builders and "almost" builders down here. Most importantly for you, Mark Allanson lives in Crowlas and has just passed SVA. His car is worth looking at.....there are one or two pictures of his car in his photo archive.
Should you ever need cards and gifts,especially smutty ones I can be found in Carnon Downs.

Regards,
Ian

Hi n welcome from sunny Derbyshire... well rainy Derbyshire..........

I get down too St Austell twice a year, service some machinery at the Brewery, I'm also down Newquay next week al week at a company called "Goonvean" servicing a robot there, if you fancy a tyre kicking session let me know.

good luck with the build.

hi ben
I'm in Redruth, if i can help or if you want to pop down, please shout, my build is probably about the same level as yours.
There are some clever blokes on this forum and are willing to help, you should get all the answers here somewhere

Hi Ben,

Welcome to the forum.

If you take pictures of the running gear then there a plenty of people here who (unlike me!) can recognise a Cortina/Capri/Escort axle and let you know what you've got.

As for changing to a Sierra rear end then it'd be a lot of work as the Sierra is an IRS system unlike the solid axle you currently have. Plenty of great Locosts have had solid axles so I'd stick with what you've got. What's the point of changing when the car's as far ahead as it is?

As for fitting the Pinto engine then yes, it is a little too tall. You need to relocate the oil filler on the tappet cover. Also, chopping 1" out of the sump (and another inch from the oil pickup!) will help.

Think very carefully about your choice of engine. The Pinto is a good, solid, cheap(!) engine but it's heavy and only about 115bhp. If you have money to spend then there are better options- but there's hundreds of posts on this subject so I won't get into that!

Ben, you are welcome to come down and look at my car, hopefully we will be getting a west country thing together fairly soon, just need more completed cars!

Hi Ben I am in Okehampton and have a 1300 xflow locost any time your this way and need a look give us a shout.
good luck with the build.

Thanks for the replies, i will try and look at as many cars as i can! It will take me the next two weekends to clear out my garage before i can get the car home but as soon as i do i will post some pics of the running gear and the complete car to make sure it was worth the £750 i paid for it! Westcountry meet sounds good, its a pity the Exeter show is so far off. As for different engine options, I've got a young family and am on a tight budget so i think im best sticking to pinto power! I have been offered a Xr2 but are there any easy gearbox options for a CVH engine?

ok mark
subtle hint, stop talking and get working