bonnet foam strip

[dmreeceuk]

Ive seen on a few photos of elans a foam strip about 1.5" thick thats
stuck to the underside of the bonnet and seems to rest on the
radiator. I dont have this. Im i missing something that will improve
my cooling efficiency, quality of the bonnet closure or something
else. If i need this strip were can I get one.

Thanks guys

PS whos going to the castle coombe day- my first go on a track --
scary !!:)

Dave
1970 S4

[lotuselan2]

Dave
The more air through your rad. the better, let the thermostat do the control.
Yes, I would add the foam strip and check for other bypassing around the
side or underneath. When restored my +2 with a 190HP BDR, I upgraded the
rad. but did a lot of detail work to get all the air that comes in the nose
to go through the rad.
Ken
'69 +2 with BDR

[gobw2]

well, my 67 S3 never had one - from the factory- I am orig owner. George

On Mon, 12 May 2003 20:53:02 -0000 "dmreeceuk" <***@***.***>
writes:
Ive seen on a few photos of elans a foam strip about 1.5" thick thats
stuck to the underside of the bonnet and seems to rest on the
radiator. I dont have this. Im i missing something that will improve
my cooling efficiency, quality of the bonnet closure or something
else. If i need this strip were can I get one.

Thanks guys

PS whos going to the castle coombe day- my first go on a track --
scary !!:)

Dave
1970 S4

[Brian Walton]

Lots of foam in Arrowtown!

Will post pictures later

Brian

[LotuSport]

--- In ***@***.***, ***@***.***e:

My '70 S.4 SE had one -- at one time. There was a glue strip and
some foam residue on the underside of my car's bonnet. I replaced it
after the episode of my radiator "flipping it's lid" last year. I
found that you can get foam in most large fabric and/or upholstery
shops, cut to any dimension you want or need, for a song. I bought
twice what I needed and paid around $2.00.

I used the remainder for miscellaneous gap plugging. Then used a
lot of black tape to cover a zillion holes in the rad mounts on both
sides. So far, _good_ cooling, no water/coolant loss (knock wood).

Best regards,
Bob
___________________________
***@***.***

[lotuselan2]

I was able to buy 2"x2" foam "rod" at an upolsety shop. All I had to do was
cut length.

[sprinterdave]

In message <b9p1je+***@***.***>, dmreeceuk
<***@***.***> writes

-- The strip does help the air flow through the rad. Just get a piece of foam,
cut and stick. Mine is about 2 inches thick.
Dave Shiers

["Mark Spiers"]

Go to your local upholsterers. They have this type of foam. It's 2" square.Try some at the back of the bulkhead on the lip that juts out. This will deflect air round the exhaust and carbs. and help cool them. Also make sure you've got the deflector shield under the radiator, otherwise, all the restis pointless.

Regards,

Mark - 70 S4 DHC
----- Original Message -----
From: Dave Shiers
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Thursday, May 15, 2003 8:06 AM
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] bonnet foam strip


In message <b9p1je+***@***.***>, dmreeceuk
<***@***.***> writes

-- The strip does help the air flow through the rad. Just get a piece of foam,
cut and stick. Mine is about 2 inches thick.
Dave Shiers

[lotusnut]

At 07:00 PM 5/15/2003 +0100, Mark Spiers wrote:

[types26/36]

Dave,
I think the "deflector" being refered to is in Lotus terms "radiator
blanking panal" page 11 section K Elan W/S Manual,part no. B036 K
0076 It was only fitted to Sprints but can be fitted to any,its
just a piece of cardboard best made up from alloy as the board falls
to bits.I have never seen a pic of it, just make one to suit your
car to cover the gap under the radiator.
Brian.
64Elan/72Sprint/J.P.S.Europa

-- In ***@***.***, DAve <lotusnut@b...> wrote:

[sotul86]

I?ve made one up in aluminium you can have a look at
www.fullspeed.to/lotuselan hit during renovation and then hit the
picture of boot/trunk and at the bottom of that side ...voila


Good luck


Johan

["Mark Spiers"]

Hi, Brian,

The radiator blanking panel was fitted to at least late S3's onwards as it was then that the old wide S1 & S2 radiator was phased out and the narrowerTriumph Herald Stanpart radiator was used with the side blanking panels bolted to the radiator. With a smaller radiator maximum airflow through the radiator was found to be required, hence the deflector panel under the radiator, but there are several variations of pattern. My S4 had an oddball one that I had only seen on two other S4's, but Paul Matty in the UK sells a die cut pressed panel which they swear is THE original shape (don't agree really and it is hard to fit as it comes as a flat sheet).

If I can dig it out from the ruck of parts I will photograph my 'oddball' panel and send you the image.

Rgds,

Mark.
----- Original Message -----
From: Brian Goodison
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Monday, May 19, 2003 9:32 AM
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] bonnet foam strip & "deflector"


Dave,
I think the "deflector" being refered to is in Lotus terms "radiator
blanking panal" page 11 section K Elan W/S Manual,part no. B036 K
0076 It was only fitted to Sprints but can be fitted to any,its
just a piece of cardboard best made up from alloy as the board falls
to bits.I have never seen a pic of it, just make one to suit your
car to cover the gap under the radiator.
Brian.
64Elan/72Sprint/J.P.S.Europa

-- In ***@***.***, DAve <lotusnut@b...> wrote:

[LotuSport]

--- In ***@***.***, "Mark Spiers" <elansprint3@h...>
wrote:


My simple solution was to go to a truck tire service shop and beg a
discarded truck tube. I got one that was mostly intact. They're
heavy and thick rubber and can be cut with a box knife or sharp
scissors. I cut an 18" x 3" section and fitted it by cutting the
contours, then using a Liberal amount of silicone RTV to provide a
good seal.

HTH.

Best regards,
Bob
________________________________
***@***.***

[types26/36]

Hello Mark,
When I said it was only on Sprints I was quoting from the
w/manual "to further improve the cooling system,Sprint models are
fitted with a blanking plate panal" although the parts list shows it
was fitted to S4 S4FED and Sprints but not S3s. I have not seen it on
S3s but am quite willing to accept the fact as after 30 years who
really knows.I agree it would be difficult to fit a flat one as it
curves around the rack, mine had disintergrated so I made an alloy
one.I would be quite interested to see your pic's of
your "oddball" panal.
Regards Brian
64Elan/72Sprint/J.P.S.Europa

-- In ***@***.***, "Mark Spiers" <elansprint3@h...>
wrote:

out and the narrower Triumph Herald Stanpart radiator was used with
the side blanking panels bolted to the radiator. With a smaller
radiator maximum airflow through the radiator was found to be
required, hence the deflector panel under the radiator, but there are
several variations of pattern. My S4 had an oddball one that I had
only seen on two other S4's, but Paul Matty in the UK sells a die cut
pressed panel which they swear is THE original shape (don't agree
really and it is hard to fit as it comes as a flat sheet).

[saarhus]

There were actually three different radiators used. The Marsden on S1 and S2, the wide Triumph, without the blank panels on the side used on S3s, andfinally the narrow Triumph used on S4s onward. The latter had the blanking panels on the side and used the sealer strip on the bottom, and also somewhere in that series, fitted.recommended the foam strip to seal the top as well.

Stan A
S3 Coupe'
S1 DHC

Hello Mark,
When I said it was only on Sprints I was quoting from the
w/manual "to further improve the cooling system,Sprint models are
fitted with a blanking plate panal" although the parts list shows it
was fitted to S4 S4FED and Sprints but not S3s. I have not seen it on
S3s but am quite willing to accept the fact as after 30 years who
really knows.I agree it would be difficult to fit a flat one as it
curves around the rack, mine had disintergrated so I made an alloy
one.I would be quite interested to see your pic's of
your "oddball" panal.
Regards Brian
64Elan/72Sprint/J.P.S.Europa

-- In ***@***.***, "Mark Spiers" <elansprint3@h...>
wrote:

out and the narrower Triumph Herald Stanpart radiator was used with
the side blanking panels bolted to the radiator. With a smaller
radiator maximum airflow through the radiator was found to be
required, hence the deflector panel under the radiator, but there are
several variations of pattern. My S4 had an oddball one that I had
only seen on two other S4's, but Paul Matty in the UK sells a die cut
pressed panel which they swear is THE original shape (don't agree
really and it is hard to fit as it comes as a flat sheet).