Have I gone mad?

[alexblack13]

Hi Guys
Planning running the little car before winter sets in up to a post resto' 2000 mls. (Now at about 1500 mls) I was then thinking of pulling the motor out for stripdown / inspection and rebuild with a new modular waterpump etc. Thinking is this will allow me to check internals are bang on etc & set valve clearances on the kitchen table ( again ). I want to fit new coreplugs as I have the one on the block rear (Inside the bellhousing) Firmly wedged between my ears. So I have decided to replace them all. Whilst its out, I have some nice new ceramic flexible insulation material to apply to the tranny tunnel and passengers footwell. I would also fit my bigger wider radiator (Thanks Dave) and new slimline fan. Just to make sure the thing runs like a Rolex on my summer hol's tour. + now unhappy with Black paint on block! So that would go to correct Gray.

All the original parts will be stored for refitting as n when. (Any new owner would be given them for E.G.)

Question is.. Have I gone loopy?? Should I just leave it alone? Fit the bigger rad' etc and go?.... I really fancy that Burton waterpump.

Any advice appreciated...

Alex B....

[paddy]

Yes, I think you're mad, it's a Lotus, not a Lego set

Fit the rad if you want to, but provided the fan belt wasn't too tight I don't see why changing the water pump is needed at all. All that expensive shiny kit is getting to you like toffees in a sweetshop. (I know the feeling, because I've been there. Look how far my alloy hubs got me.) If it isn't broken, don't mend it.

Check clearances, chain tension, timing etc all at the top end with the engine in. The bottom end will take care of itself IMO. Change the oil again if you just want to reassure yourself that you're looking after it properly. It's an injustice to all the good work you put in first time around if you keep thinking it might not be perfect.

I didn't understand the comment about the core plug.

Anyway, that's just my opinion - it's completely up to you so take no notice of what I say.

Paddy

[alexblack13]

Hi Paddy,
Thanks.. Just what I needed methinks. I'v got a thing about the coreplugs on my block. Wish like hell I done them when rebuilding. Didn't due to impatience. Same with the colour of the block. Again impatience. 'Between my ears' means I cant get them out of my thoughts. When that happens with me I usually have to act.. Resistance is futile....?? I also have a new 3.54 diff to fit, and I would like to install the new insulation I have bought. Plan was to kill all my birds with the one stone. Good over the winter project and a happier me next spring.

Just a thought though. Its just fine as it it.

Mrs B recon's I'v lost it...

Alex B....

[Pastapesto]

Alex, you're bonkers mate .

Drive the thing and fix it when & if it goes wrong. We have all followed the story of your rebuild & you have done a superb job. Seems to me Alex, you are just getting bored & are looking for things to do. Paddy is spot on with his advice. If it were me, I would fix the water pump when it next goes (which will probably mean in many thousands of enjoyable miles time).
It is a slippery slope to be on when you go looking for trouble, cos you will always find it.

If you are bored, come down to the south coast & give me a hand to finish my S3 coupe, I could really do with a hand at the moment.

All the best

Regards

Adam

[69S4]

There is something to be said for "if it isn't broken, don't fix it" but I know what you mean. Back in May when I got my S4 back on the road I was sure the water pump was on the way out. I could feel a bit of play in the bearing and as we all know that's it. I had some other jobs to do for the MOT so I put off the water pump. 3000 miles later, including a trip to the alps and hours sat in London traffic it has not used a single drop of water. I've not had to add any water all summer. The new water pump is still sitting on the shelf.

However, I'm convinced the diff could do with a rebuild and I really must have a look at the bump steer ....


Stuart

[ill_will]

don't do it mate. both the core plugs and pump, if they fail, are surely most likely to gradually get worse (leak and/or noise), giving you a heads up if you're on holiday. Pull the motor and it always takes much longer than you think to get it back together...

i'd fit the fan and check clearances etc as the others have recommended.

just my thoughts!

w

[alexblack13]

Blimey. You two are up early! I just love a bit of enthusiasm!

100 % against = it will stay where it is. The only thing(s) I did not replace were the core (or welsh) plugs. The pump is new and the belt tension carefully set quite slack really.

I will probably fit the ser' 2 rad' I have (Thanks again Dave) with a slimline, more efficient fan. Do the diff' (enough of a challenge on its own) and carry on.. It is running very nice. Just passed its second MOT on Monday.

Thanks guys. I will run with your advice...

Alex B....

[alexblack13]

Sorry ..Still asleep! Double posted ....OOPs.

AB

[JJDraper]

Don't do it! Reminds me of when I had motorbikes that kept breaking - If it didn't break, I would take it to bits to find out why!

IMO buy a spare engine and play with that in case the one in the car lets you down (unlikely). When the spare engine is done, do a gearbox, then build up a spare chassis, then a body.

If all your hard work on the current car fulfils its promise, you will have refurbished enough bits to create a second car and learnt enough to keep this site going for years!

Jeremy

[alexblack13]

Great Idea Jeremy! Any chance of a loan..?

I will throw myself into a project sitting in my workshop now. Get that done for next year. Help finance some lotusy stuff. Like a le Mans trip!!

Her is a pic of it... Sorry its not an Elan project..

AB...

[types26/36]

Alex, leave it alone and as others have suggested get a spare engine and take out your boredom on that.....
I do agree with you on one point though........the colour of the block....that would bug me silly as some one will ALWAYS point this out to you but live with it until you have prepared MK2 version.

[alexblack13]

Hiya Brian,

Judges who gave it 2nd place up at Glamis castle classic show said that I would have got 1st place if the wheels had been done. (about to happen!) and one or two details under bonnet had been correct.


1) Grey block?
2) Horn. I have a 'Nautilus' compact air horn fitted. Neat, tidy and loud. But not original. I am leaving this detail alone.
3 Airfilter.. Has a k&n conversion mounted well clear of the radiator. It also stays!
4) Electronic fan control fitted into top hose..Again I am leaving this alone as it works so well.
The rest is spot on.



The black block was their main gripe...

You live and learn... Impatience is a bu**er! but, I will wait untill (if and when) it needs to come out.

AB....

[1964 S1]

Greetings Alex,
I'm agreeing with everyone else. Don't do it.
The Rolex watch reference spells doom on forty five year old carbed internal combustion performance engines. It ain't gonna happen.

As far as your obsession on a gray block over black.
If you can't do it, hire a qualified painter good with a trim brush, a can of gray enamel, and let them create the masterpiece. Just make sure you get all the oil and road grit off the iron first.

What other type of cars do you own?

Eric

[alexblack13]

Hi Eric,
Do you suggest painting in situ? Never considered that, and thinking of it now I suppose it's not impossible. I will give that some thought.

BUT.. I have now bought a set of core plugs and the grey enamel. And I will be on Burtons stand at the NEC looking at the new module type pump. I do fancy that!!

OH dear!....

Cars at the moment are my Elan and a BMW Z4 which we bought new in 2006. Now thinking of a change to a Boxter s. Economic situ' at the moment is holding me back I have to admit.

Here's a little 'car' history

1st car.. Austin Mini Van. > 1200 cortina > 1500 GT cortina > Lotus Cortina > 1600E > Cortina Savage, Proper Jeff uren car.. > MGB GT > Elan +2 > Elan+2 s130. > G-BASG Grumman AA5 Airplane. Was off cars for a long time during flying days, which were halted by Heart attack in 1990 .. Various company cars. + various BM's to present day.. 2 x Z4's from new. Mrs B uses day to day..

Happy days..

Alex B....