Hi Smudger,
Thanks for the update. As usual, we'd love to see pics of all the hard work you're doing, especially the steering wheel.
S/E's were supposed to have gained a leather rim in April 64, which I believe is the month AEG was built. They must be the rarest of all steering wheels fitted to our cars, as they were replaced by the aeroflow type from october 64. The wheel which had been fitted to AEG was an Elan s/e version. They always had a different boss to the cortina.
Contact Pete Gedling (on this forum as Pete G) regarding the camcover, as he had mine and the 3 VUR cars done at the same place. The colour match to Pete's and my original is excellent.
With exhausts, if you haven't already sorted it then use P D Gough 01159 382241. Neil McCarthy, who restored 26 VUR says that their system fitted like a glove. Everyone else seems to have had problems with exhaust fit.
Not sure about Guy Smith's systems though, so perhaps you could let us all know how it fits up, if you've already bought it.
The release bearings are not really upto the task and never have been.
Fortunately, they were always cheap, so Ford used to reccomend fitting a new one anytime the engine and/or the gearbox was removed, regardless of whether it was needed. Unfortunately, they're not so cheap these days! If you need someone to check over your box, I'd happily oblige. Duncan restored AEG nearly 20 years ago, so it could be showing signs of fatigue. I reckon these boxes were/are only good for about 20-30k, before the layshaft rollers and/or rear mainshaft bearing give up.
As for competition use, I think guys, such as Geoff Letts ( our club magazine editor and L/C racing guru), see the insides of their gearboxes, more than they see the inside of their homes!
Anyhow, I digress (nothing unusual there then!).
Look forward to hearing more about the rise and rise of AEG.
Scott