Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I've had my 1966 Elan S2 for about just two months
I'm really happy with it, but I am still trying to
figure out exactly what I've got. Lots of editing
has been done over the past 34 years. Question is
what was original? The bottom of the curved body
channel in which the hood pivots has an ugly
assortment of screws and fender washers, all
different. What's it supposed to look like?
Another item that keeps me guessing is that the
dash has no lettering to indicate "ON" or "OFF"
or even what component the switch controls. I'm
going to Laguna Seca and Watkins Glen to see what
others look like. Can anyone help for now?

Thanks!

Paul Garrett
Hyde Park, New York

Hi Paul,

I've had my '65 S2 for about 6 months, and because I haven't
been able to drive it as much as I'd like, I have to look
in the shop manual occasionally to see what all those
switches are! You might want to try to dig one of those
up, because they're actually quite helpful. I think you
can find them here: http://www.rdent.com

Good luck!

- Mark Burnham

On Mon, 24 Jul 2000 23:26:23 -0000, you wrote:


On my S2, that piece of the body is solid with no holes. I was
surprised to see your mention of anything there, 'til I looked closer
at an older photo of my car being painted (circa '86 or so, I've owned
the car about a little over a year now) and there is a row of small
holes. In a photo taken shortly after being painted, the holes are
gone - I'll have to ask the P.O., but I suspect they were filled. My
service manual isn't handy but the only thing I can think of that'd be
there would be a rub strip, as the paint just wears off every time the
hood is opened at this point.

The pictures are available on my site at:
http://www.groucho.org/Car_Pictures/Lot ... _elan.html - I
need to update it and add some current photos, but you'll note that
the first picture of the car after painting shows the holes, and the
engine shot underneath is missing them.

As for the switches, just give 'em a try - if they do anything, be
happy. Seriously, it should be explained in the owner's manual
(available from www.rdent.com and probably other places) but of course
over the years, they could all have been shuffled around or
disconnected. Half of mine do little or nothing but I have yet to miss
them.

My car'll be at the Watkins Glen vintage races this year (as well as
LOG) if you're interested in taking a closer look.

Hi, Paul, I have a '67, which they say is an S3. Nothing on dash is
labeled. Round headlight vacuum knob, wiper knob, heater control, choke
and lighter have symbols in them. some are obvious- 2 at each end of row
above headlight vacuum switch and wiper control are for power windows. 3
position switch next to headlight knob is lights.
I like unlabeled switches - adds a certain impressive mystique to the
car, which I've always thought of as a 1 driver car. Besides, you can
always tell the too curious that one of them detonates an explosive
charge under the passenger seat ala 007's aston martin.
Curved hood channel had plastic slotted screws (I think nylon) threaded
into channel when left factory. This provided a way of adjusting hood
position fore - aft and up - down. The glass fibers are very hard on
plastic screws. Fibers chew up threads. If they were turned a few times
over the last 34 years, probably stripped. That might require some small
washers under the screw head - but fender washers? George.


On Mon, 24 Jul 2000 23:26:23 -0000 ***@***.***es:

the bottom of the channel holds screws that the hood rides on, there is
a metal plate on the hood. You can adjust the ride height of the hood on
the screw heads.

THe only way I knew on my 67 when new what the dash scitches did was by
playing with them, but up is on, down is off.

***@***.***e:


Those small holes are for nylon screws. The heads facilitate the bonnet sliding easily. The bonnet should have sheet aluminium pop rivited on it's slide surface.

--
Ken Claiborne
26/4396
So California


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Paul

My 1966 S2 (restored 1984) had small nylon threaded plugs about 4-5mm
dia in the body channel and a (stainless?) plate on the curved part of
the hood that rides on them. You adjust the hood by screwing the plugs
in or out. Mine were worn down too far so I couldn't get the hood to
align. I replaced them with some fibre washers glued together and
screwed through the original holes.

My dash also has no lettering and from memory none of the early Elans I
have seen have it. The only ones I have seen with lettering are the
later Elans with the rocker switches. On mine up is off and down is
on. I am used to which switch does what and instinctively go for the
right one these days.

Cheers

Peter
Sydney, Australia

***@***.***e:

On Mon, 24 Jul 2000 23:02:56 -0400 ***@***.***es:

Or course I may be wrong about this but....
If you want to adjust the bonnet (hood) height,
slacken off the brackets from the front suspension towers and "adjust"
the curved horns that the bonnet slides over....

-----Original Message-----
From: doug Troutman [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: 25 July 2000 06:14
To: ***@***.***
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] Hood Pivot Channel Question


the bottom of the channel holds screws that the hood rides on, there is
a metal plate on the hood. You can adjust the ride height of the hood on
the screw heads.

That's how I've always done it.


Ken Claiborne
26/4396
So California


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Get your own FREE, personal Netscape Webmail account today at http://home.netscape.com/webmail/

Paul, you are right - moderate vertical djustments can be made that way
without crazing the gelcoat. However, the factory method allowed
vertical and horizontal adjustment - you can adjust the gap at nose and
firewall for smooth, even opening. I've had to put little washers under
some screws because the glass ate the threads up.

On Wed, 26 Jul 2000 17:42:48 +0100 "Paul Adamson"
<***@***.***> writes:

On my Plus 2 the leading edge of the bonnet (hood) - ie the hinged end -
flexes up and down in the middle as I'm driving along at 60mph+.

It always has done, and there are no cracks in the gel or underlying glass,
and I've assumed "that they all do that".

Am I right?

Steve
1970 Plus 2S (engine work begins on monday - will keep you all informed)

You must have a convertible and be very tall. I can't even see that part of
the bonnet.
Malcolm

----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Heath" <***@***.***>

Sent: Thursday, July 27, 2000 9:42 AM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] Bonnet flexing (was Hood Pivot Channel)

Why thank you. It's what all the ladies say too. I didn't know I had such
an presence on the mailing list!!!


Actually I'm 5'10" and it's a hard top, but I notice it most on a sunny day
when the light reflects off the bonnet, or when someone else is driving the
Lotus and I'm in the car in front looking back.

Steve




----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Heath" <***@***.***>

Sent: Thursday, July 27, 2000 9:42 AM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] Bonnet flexing (was Hood Pivot Channel)

Steve,
Mine has a approx 50mm square cross section sponge stuck to the bonnet lid
which pushes down on the radiator and side deflectors when the nbonnet is shut
forming a seal to improve cooling and stopping the bonnet rattling around



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