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Re: 1964 Elan Restoration Project

PostPosted: Tue Dec 18, 2012 6:06 pm
by UNCbigM
I see how that could cause it, but the rotoflex is in tact, and I can't imagine that occurred from an earlier failure with the rotoflex being replaced and the car driven like that of course.

Unless it failed to the point that it flexed that much under cornering?

Either way, a weld/repair and rebuild of the diff seems safe?

Like I said, I suspect that little hole is what took it off the road 30 years ago.

Re: 1964 Elan Restoration Project

PostPosted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 9:42 pm
by UNCbigM
Well, it's been quite some time since I have posted on our progress. There was none through the hottest part of the summer but now its time to get serious. We're finally ready to start putting some stuff back together! Yay!!!!

Our first step in the right direction came after we stripped everything off the chassis. Seeing as I'm trying to keep the car mostly original, but don't mind a few small changes/upgrades, I decided to paint the chassis silver after blasting so that it will be easier to spot leaks. Though, I hear these cars never leak any fluids.

Next came stripping down the rest of the removed suspension/brakes. I'm now in the process of cleaning off the A-arms. I'm also looking for suggestions on what shocks/springs to go with for a "stock" rebuild with my only updates being an alternator and the CVs.

The bottom end is ready to be assembled and married back to the top end. The top end I ended up sending down to Florida to Steve at Twin Cam. My local shop couldn't cut it and I felt comfortable with a gentleman with a British accent working on my head. The block is now .040 over (don't ask). Unfortunately my next 7 weekends are booked between family obligations and racing. Mostly racing. Oops.

The new goal is to get it on the road in time for both our local British car show (50 weeks away) and for LOG in Asheville, NC(!) (51 weeks away).

Re: 1964 Elan Restoration Project

PostPosted: Mon Oct 14, 2013 11:13 am
by mister_shifter
Agree re the S1. Rad should be just rectangular and thicker. Should be easy to repro if you can get info to copy. Best of all it still has bolt on wheels - hooray. Please do not be tempted to change to knock ons as this is all part of the charm of early Elans. I see plenty of repro hub caps on Ebay if these are missing although have no idea of quality as never seen one in the flesh. Re driveshafts stick to donuts and learn clutch control to stop surge. In the 60's being able to drive an Elan away smoothly was a skill we learned with pride and there was never a problem with donut failures. This all came with the heavier +2, as did the interleaved couplings to try to reduce wind up. Lucky man, keep it forever.