Litton Corse build with 2.0l Lancia 8v TC

[Paul Eustace]

Hi John,
You make a good point regarding the need for a thermostat.

With the benefit of hindsight I would not use a mechanical coolant pump at all. I would remove the impeller and shaft from the water pump and weld shut the hole. I would install a larger Davies, Craig or similar electric coolant pump in the radiator return hose and use the controller to intelligently move the coolant.

I have taken the easy route and am running the mechanical and electric pumps in tandem. By setting the electric pump's controller target temperature 5C higher than I need I am using the electric pump to assist the mechanical pump when the in head thermostat begins to open at 74C, the thermostat is fully open at 80C. The two 5mm holes I have drilled in the thermostat definitely allow coolant to flow when the thermostat is closed as the top hose was nicely warm long before the thermostat opened.

If I remove the thermostat, without removing the mechanical pump, I fear the mechanical pump will prolong warm-up and will over cool the engine under low to medium load.

It was raining today so I installed a grommet on the gear change shaft to seal the firewall and help reduce the noise! One less task on my 'to do' list.

[john]

Ah yes! You are right Paul. With the mechanical pump still operational you would indeed get a longer warm up without the thermostat in place.

[Guy Mayers]

Glad you've sorted it out - I found that the mod that made the biggest difference to cooling as ducting between the radiator and the nose of the car, forcing everything that came through the grille through the matrix. The biggest gap is over the top of the radiator..

[LM mic]

It was raining today so I installed a grommet on the gear change shaft to seal the firewall and help reduce the noise! One less task on my 'to do' list.

Seems you will be ready for the show season !!!
Nice to watch one more achived car !!
Are you planing to do some club meeting ? will be nice to meet you at Stoneileght !!!

[Paul Eustace]

I am definitely keen to attend some events this year. Stoneleigh may be a little early for me as I am currently driving around locally building confidence. Today I have 150 miles on the clock. I will soon fill the accusump with oil and this evening I changed the gearbox oil.
I will let you know if I am able to make Stoneleigh.

[LM mic]

[Paul Eustace]

My late summer project involved upgrading my front brakes. I originally fitted Fiat 500 front brakes and discs as this was a fairly straight forward installation but the single piston caliper was never going to make the car stand on it's nose.
The following pictures show my solution to fitting HiSpec Billet calipers using HiSpec 300mm * 24mm rotors and 35mm offset bells. I am currently using a 5mm wheel spacer but I am not sure these are necessary. I recently removed all the excess thread from the screws joining my 3 piece Compomotive wheels. In doing so I have
gained another 4mm of wheel to caliper clearance.

[Paul Eustace]

I have been asked to post some photographs of my rear uprights. My car is a very early Litton using the Beta front upright at the rear. Steve Greenwood arranged for it to be modified by removing the bottom ball joint and welding a tube in it's place to connect the wishbone.
I have Leda adjustable struts with an elliptical camber adjustment facility. I just about manage to reduce the camber to -1 degree. I really should buy replacement adjustable top mounts for the struts.

[Lancialulu]

I have been asked to post some photographs of my rear uprights. My car is a very early Litton using the Beta front upright at the rear. Steve Greenwood arranged for it to be modified by removing the bottom ball joint and welding a tube in it's place to connect the wishbone.
I have Leda adjustable struts with an elliptical camber adjustment facility. I just about manage to reduce the camber to -1 degree. I really should buy replacement adjustable top mounts for the struts.

Paul, although my car is an early Transformer it seems to have similar rear struts with those (near useless) camber cams and Leda shock absorbers. We should compare when we meet up! How much droop do your struts provide??