Marcus
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| posted on 22/2/06 at 03:26 PM |
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God Exists
-and I've just met him!!
I just went to pick up a set of crossflow pistons from a local bloke called Mick. When I phoned him, he said he may be at his dad's place - only
next door but one to his bungalow. Hello, I thought, sounds like a bit of a wierdo but what the hell, I need my pistons.
Got there and no one in, so I went round to his dads place to find a bloke under the bonnet of an old Fiesta. Nothing unusual there.
"Hello", he says, "you must be Marcus".
Yes says I, I've come about the pistons.
"come in here" says (who turned out to be Mick) bloke. And he opens the doors of, what looked like a double garage.
I don't mind telling you, I was stunned!
Every concievable metalworking machine was there, surface grinders, crank and cam grinders, milling machines, lathes - the lot. He took me round the
back (ooh err) telling me he builds hot rod and grasser engines as a hobby! He was in the middle of fitting a set of F1 pistons to titanium rods to go
into a Pinto!
I've never seen so many competition engines in one place, I counted 10 complete BD series motors and at least another 5 in bits. Crossflows
everywhere, A seies half built. I was in heaven.
The guy was a proper nice bloke and gave me so much advice on my forthcoming engine build. He keeps so much in stock - had 25 sets of +90 pistons for
my engine, keeps conrods made out of almost every material on the planet, can actually fix a broken crank (I've seen a repaired crossflow crank
that had the flywheel flange snapped off!). He has a rolling road set into this double garage - but prefers to use Dave Boggs' (big mate
apparently). Drawers full of Zetec conrods - apparently steel and fit in Vauxhall XEs perfectly if you deck the block!
This is a top bloke. Advised against ARP bolts - over priced and can supply better Cosworth bolts for half the cost! (guess where I'm getting
mine!).
I mentioned my Locost, he said he has a 1971 Seven in his other garage and would I like to see it? Silly question!
Had to pick jaw off ground when I saw it - a bright orange (weren't they all) Series 4 Lotus Seven! Parked between an immaculate L plate MGB
(for sale BTW) and a Mini based Beach Buggy. After much more conversation and a cup of tea, he's going to balance my new engine for £60 -
Bargain. I'm never going to Burtons again, this guy has the lot!
Anyway, just had to tell someone - I've not been that excited for a long time (unless it involved women and lack of clothing).
Mick has never really dealt with the kit car industry, but if anyone needs his details, or wants his MGB, give me a shout.
Marcus
Ps sorry for the raving
Marcus
Because kits are for girls!!
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oliwb
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| posted on 22/2/06 at 03:38 PM |
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Wow, seems like a good person to know! Oli.
If your not living life on the edge you're taking up too much room!
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donut
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| posted on 22/2/06 at 03:45 PM |
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I didn't think people like this existed anymore!! Nice one.
Andy
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/andywest1/
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zilspeed
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| posted on 22/2/06 at 04:04 PM |
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Oh yes - people like this still exist. It's just that those of us who've 'got one' keep them to ourselves...
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donut
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| posted on 22/2/06 at 05:28 PM |
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Meanie!
Andy
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/andywest1/
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clbarclay
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| posted on 22/2/06 at 10:49 PM |
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People that work out house garages are useually a good breed, I know a couple of brothers not far from me. One does strter motors the other does
alternators. Chances are they have a recon for your vehicle on the shelf, or they can get the bits to recon your old one. Either way they do it for
sensible money and it doesn't matter if its car, truck or tractor.
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