bmg

I used to have a Birkin Seven which I fitted with a Lotus Twin Cam Engine on a Ford 2000E gearbox and towed it many miles on an A Frame going to track events/race circuits (this was in another lifetime in S.Africa) When I made the A frame I checked that the gearbox would receive enough lubrication via the main shaft turning in neutral while being towed, it did PROVIDING the gearbox was full to its correct level (better to be even a little higher) I never had a problem and on a long trip I would occasionally stop and feel the gearbox to see if was getting hot.....it never did, you can of course stop periodically and start the car so the 1st motion shaft flings a bit of oil around but as I said I had no problems. I did have some nasty experiences with A Framing however and you must adopt a defensive style of driving, allow longer stopping distance, no sudden swerves and changes in direction and NEVER TRY TO REVERSE WITH AN A-FRAME HOOKED UP....you will only get grief. I had a bracket fixed to the chassis to which the A-Frame attached, when not being A-FRAMED spot lights were fitted to the bracket for normal road use. I do not know the laws covering A Framing in the UK, are you allowed on motorways?

Cheers.... 8mm it is then, thanks for your help, much appreciated Regards Brian.

I have done this modification before and have two cars running with valves I "modified" to suit although in their cases I used VW Transporter Inlet valves (40mm) and Nissan Exhaust valves (35mm) I just did not want to buy CVH valves only to find later that they were not 8mm stems. BTW what plans to you have for your Lotus head? Regards Brian.

Thanks, my Lotus head is not standard and has bigger valves (41 & 37) so I will be ok on that score, did you manage to get a measurment on the RS turbo stem size? if as you say they only go in a little befor going tight then it sounds like they are 8mm and with a little reaming will probably work Regards Brian.

Thanks, I would appreciate that Regards Brian.

Thanks, yes I know the length and that is one of the reasons I want them,it is for a modified Lotus Twin Cam and it is no problem to change the length and machine a new cotter grove. I need a 37mm Exh Valve and a 41mm inlet, the XR3i has a 37 and 42 but I may be able to use the 42 inlet as well, it is the stem than I am bothered about. Regards Brian.

Hi, I am doing a modification on an engine and need some inlet/exhaust valves with an 8mm stem, the Escort CVH engine is listed as having these but I am not sure that they do have an 8mm stem. (The older Kent Xlows & Essex V engines had 7.9mm stems as standard but valves with oversize stems were available and the head reamed to suit but these are not suitable for my needs) Can anyone tell me if the CVH valves are actually 8mm and not a slightly smaller stem, if possible if anyone has some old or new CVH valves to measure I would be most grateful. Thanks Brian.