locost_bryan

Lots of performance cars used torsion bars - Valiant Charger, E-type Jag, Porsche 911. Very low unsprung weight with torsion bars and lever arms.

August 1984 in the Ital.

Rover went to the GM180 for the SD1 V8, and then to the ZF 4HP22 in the V8 RRs. Either of those should make an easy swap for a broken BW35 behind a Rover or Leyland V8.

Of course, pretty much the only non-GM option in Aussie, England or South Africa at the time. Standard in the Rover 3500, Leyland P76 and all flavours of Marina. The Aussie Marina also had the same Borg Warner Model 68 diff as the Aussie Datsun 1200, Toyota Corolla and Ford Escort. All part of the local content requirements.

sounds like that would be good for lubing the channels on the windup windows too

Time to install the rubber "hinge blocks" into the B-pillars for the rear quarterlight windows. Any recommendations for the best lubricant to help the 40 year old rubbers slip easily into the slots?

Rover had to limit the torque output because the Honda gearbox wasn't strong enough, it was only designed for the 2.7 V6 iirc. One of my wife's uncles was involved with setting up L.E. Perie in NZ during the 1970s, they manufactured LEP lights on the upper floor of the family auto electrical business in Frankton, Hamilton.

How about a Ford Coyote V8 swap, with a T56. here's a bolt-in kit https://engineswapdepot.com/?p=26576

Sounds like the Austin Allegro, jack it up from the rear subframe instead of the jacking point, and the rear screen would pop out.

What type of electronic unit? Possible it might need a minimum "reference" voltage?

@kws Performance Wheels are making new Hotwires, perhaps drop them a line about the best nuts to use? https://www.performancewheels.co.nz/product/hotwire/

Agreed, have managed 170k from a Honda Jazz cvt with no mechanical dramas. It's the VW dual clutch trans that seems to have the worst rep, although a trans guy I spoke to reckoned any auto after 2005 was rubbish. He drove a 60s F100 so might have been biased.

They'll all shit their gearbags inside 16 years, cost more to repair than to buy a later model Jap import, keep the average fleet age down.

Can you use the "reuse of plates" option? https://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicles/licensing-rego/number-plates/ (scroll down to "Re-issuing number plates") ... although that would be re-registering the car.

Personally I think the square shape of the Hunter would suit Mk2 Escort flares.

Ah, is that why you're selling your other Sundowner?

The Colin Chapman mantra that a Lotus should only be strong enough to last until the end of the race, probably shouldn't apply to anything else. Lighten everything until it breaks, then make the replacement a little bit stronger, perhaps not the best design ethos.

Pity they automated the lighthouses, the keepers were always portrayed detailing their ships in bottles while the storms raged outside (before they ruined it all by rushing outside to rescue some damsel in distress ). Back in the 70s I built a lot of kits, before I started playing with full size cars. With my two brothers, we built a '40 Ford Coupe with a rumble seat (from a kit called Flower Power), and a custom Model T truck, as well as a dune buggy and a Chevy Nomad and a 57 Impala, and a '60s dragster station wagon (a Plymouth iirc). Also built a Ford F150, an AMC Gremlin, and a whole lot of sports cars including a Mazda RX7 and Porsche and Ligier Le Mans racers. Built a White Road Boss with a fuel tanker (iirc), and a GMC (Actros?) cabover with a furniture trailer. The only scratchbuild I ever did was when I was at high school, converted a Mk2 Capri into an OSCA race car (sort of a non-spaceframe PDL Mustang 2 clone), with handmade box flares and a rollcage made from pieces of the plastic parts frames, and the V8 from an AMT custom Ford Econoline van. I made a trailer from more offcuts of the parts frames, and spare wheels from other kits. The V6 from the Capri went in the Econoline, that would have made a terrible real-life tow wagon. Must ask my mum what happened to them after I left home and she moved house. Probably got some photos buried in a box in the spare room.

@CarolsHusband I'm jealous of your abilities with models. Haven't made any since my teens, and nothing like you're doing. Great to see your work, keep up the postings, loving it.

You'll have to get @yoeddynz to post on your behalf.

Marina TC gauge cluster on TradeMe, no reserve $50, buy now $150 https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/car-parts-accessories/performance/gauges/listing/3055463673?member_hash=1d3fe7ffa8fab2c642e5b46b74bedf6a9753acb48b6185f72d&tm=email&et=46&mt=E4472408-8060-4EB7-90BB-725D852E5CEF&bof=5Hzhjn59

Race car paint has "orange peel" finish for the same reason, supposed to improve flow by disturbing the layer of air that "clings" to the surface. Some discussion here http://speed.academy/10-myths-of-cylinder-head-porting/ https://forums.mightycarmods.com/forum/technical/tech-talk/798217-porting-clearing-the-elephant-in-the-room-about-rough-vs-smooth-vs-dimples

Cool, forgot that later Maxis would have got the "metric" HIF44. Great find for @kws, he should be able to whip up his own extractors to go with it.

Looks like you've got the holy grail, twin 1.75" carbs on E-series manifold. Are there any numbers on the carbs? E-series has 4 ports, B-series has 2 ports.