Where to find half an Inch?!

[richard sprint]

With an 'old' but 'new' fitted Lotus chassis with new engine mounts (the correct one's installed on respective sides) I have found that I cannot fit the dellorto's without the fuel union rubbing against the solenoid. (The body has been refitted to the chassis)

I took photo's before the strip down and these show a clear half inch clearance between the two components (perhaps a little more). The engine position also from the pics show it as being slightly lower than at present but I have put this down to the old mounts being perhaps soft.

Unless the engine chassis mounting brackets are incorrect in their position (but doubtful) as the gearbox mountings fit the returned engine/gearbox combo - I'm finding it difficult to see how this problem can be overcome?

The solenoid is positioned exactly as it was before and have considered repositioning this but the position of it is critical because to move this to the left (looking from the front towards the bulkhead) would then cause it to foul the air box.

Has anyone come across this problem before (elan sprint) and how has it been overcome?

[paddy]

The engine mounts can be fitted fore or aft of the chassis brackets. Might it be the wrong way?

Perhaps that's a 1/4" - not sure about 1/2".

Paddy

[richard sprint]

Thank's paddy but definately fitted to the fore...

[paddy]

Thank's paddy but definately fitted to the fore...

just a thought

When fitting a body to a chassis for the first time, is there any latitude for the body moving fore or aft relative to the chassis? I've never done it, but I guess it's located by the body going as far back as possible so that the rear suspension towers that butt up against the bulkhead. Is there any chance that the body isn't all the way back?

Also I guess if there is a difference in the relative heights of gearbox and engine mounts it would make a difference - eg if the g'box mount was an inch too low it might move the carbs back by 1/2" ? You've said that the engine is slightly higher than before - might that be part of it?

Sorry but they all sound quite unlikely. 1/2" is a big difference to make up.

Paddy

[gjz30075]

What's the distance between the sump and front cross member? Compare this measurement against a known, good car.

Greg Z
'72 Sprint

[alan71]

You can see in the picture how the solenoid has been moved when the Webers were replaced with Dellortos.

Alan

[pereirac]

I don't know if it makes a difference but my solenoid body is rotated 90 degrees compared with your photo?

Carl

[richard sprint]

Paddy, gjz, Alan 71 - many thanks for responses as things are I figure whatever the reason there is no adjustments to be found, the body returned to the chassis tightly so no slack there, I guess the strengthening bar once fitted between the two rear turrets is the arbiter for any for/aft adjustment of body to chassis....

The gearbox/engine mountings are correct so I think Alan 71's method is the only one to follow - hating the thought of trying to reform a nice angle on the battery to solenoid cable as it passes through the bulkhead - it sits at an acute angle within the grommet which is then stressed - gaps and nasty engine smells come to mind!!!

I'll see how this goes and report back..

Richard

[bill308]

It might be worth looking around for a more compact starter solenoid or at least one with better geometry. Another possibility might be a starter with an integral starter solenoid?

Bii

[bcmc33]

Richard,

Carl is correct - your solenoid needs to be fitted 90? clockwise in the picture with the positive cable running along the bulkhead.
Perhaps this picture helps:

[richard sprint]

Brian/Carl

The solenoid does seem to match the position shown in your car (Brian) but yours is fitted much closer to the engine than in mine and will be I hope the answer.

Compliments on the finish to the engine bay!

Richard

[alan71]

[quote]I don't know if it makes a difference but my solenoid body is rotated 90 degrees compared with your photo?

Carl

The solenoid hasn?t been rotated but the battery and starter cables are on the same terminal because it?s a pre-engaged starter.
Here is a clearer picture.

Alan.

[bcmc33]

Brian/Carl

The solenoid does seem to match the position shown in your car (Brian) but yours is fitted much closer to the engine than in mine and will be I hope the answer.

Richard,

I seem to have forgotten the rest of my message - I meant to add that the centre of the solenoid is 175mm from the body centre in my car. Perhaps this dimension will help.

[richard sprint]

Brian

I have now relocated the solenoid and your centre to centre measurement is spot on - must now endeavour to reshape the battery cable to make a nice fit through the bulkhead also to find a tidy way to secure the 'solenoid to starter motor' cable

Thanks to all for tips and advice...