Resurection - 1967 Elan SE FHC 36/6900

[DeanG]

Today our Elan moved under its own power for the first time in 13+ years.

I had to move 3 cars and a trailer to free it from the confines of the garage. Rolled it out and found reverse gear (after 13 years its tough to remember where it hides). Clutch in and starting it in gear broke the frozen clutch free. Engage all the forward gears then off around the block. Twice!

The garage floor is drying after a quick clean up of the oil and general grunge (Painted floors are nice. Bayer 2 part water based epoxy). Maybe I can give the Elan a long overdue washing. Wishing for good weather.

[DeanG]

Well the differential is almost rebuilt. A rebuild of a rebuild. The more the mechanic dug into it the worse it was. Lots of cleaning and going from a 4:12 back to a 3:55. An after and before shot.

[elansprint71]

Any photos of the car Dean? Don't feel too bad about pumping out the oil- I know a man who drained his sump, answered the phone and then poured in the new oil... without re-fitting the sump plug.

[DeanG]

I was going to start putting the differential back in the car today. Leaky main seal. I also found it is a good idea to check the torque on the CVs. Some were tight some were only finger tight.

[DeanG]

I'm still waiting for the sleeve to come in to form the new bearing surface on the input shaft of the differential. At least I started to clay the car. All those years of storage made a mess of the paint.

[DeanG]

The differential reappeared today. The mechanic delivered it to the house and helped me (more along the lines of me helping him position the differential). All the differential mounts and the input shaft coupler are finger snug. Tomorrow I will be able to tighten everything.

When you are working alone an air ratchet sure makes the tightening the vertical bolts much easier. In addition a ratcheting 1/2" wrench makes quick work of the bolt that holds the stiffener to the pumpkin. I don't have the patients or stamina to work a flat of half a flat at a time.

Since there is a car show this weekend it would sure be nice to be able to take the Elan. I won't be able to have the weatherstripping surrounding the windshield replaced before then but I hope to be able to balance the carburetors and give the old girl a quick wash and wax.

[DeanG]

Wow, Ray's (RD Enterprises) CV joints go on nice once I remembered/figured out how the disks go back. With just a bit of luck the car will be back on its wheels tomorrow.

[DeanG]

Its back on its feet. A bit of diddling and it should be good for the drive to a Sunday morning car show.

[1964 S1]

Enjoy the car show and educamate us Americans about Lotus.

Eric

[Ross Robbins]

Dean,

Good to hear you are rolling again Now, we NEED PHOTOS!

[simonknee]

Second the photo request.
I'm 36/7002, the younger twin.

I also went one better on the pressure feed a few years back.
I had just fitted a refurb'ed pressure/temp gauge (nice job by speedycables in wales) and started the car.
Took a while for me to realise what the warm feeling spreading over my right trouser leg was.
Only got rid of the smell of oil in the footwell when I threw out the old carpets

[DeanG]

Drove about 10 miles today. A few older interesting cars were in the neighborhood: Mini, Triumph TR-6, Porsche 964. Anyway I need to find my horn button, get the steering wheel straight up and down, get the fuel gauge working, turn signal lamp, the windows are very slow and I need to scrape off the 1998 inspection sticker.

[DeanG]

Second try at uploading pictures

[DeanG]

I started to organize my parts tonight. Just getting piles of Seven, Elan, M100 and RD350LC parts will be a start. I'm even trying to get even more organized such as having all only twincam parts in a container! Many of my old boxes and baggies have deteriorated to the point that I have piles of small parts that need organization. I'm also seeing too many pecans from those pesky squirrels that took up temporary residence in the attic a few years ago.

[DeanG]

Not much has happened recently as work has got in the way of enjoyment. Parts haven't sorted themselves. I did take out the right hand window frame and am cleaning that up in the hope that the window will raise and lower at a reasonable rate.