Elan S4 1969 restoration

[Sandals man]

Hi,
I am restoring this Elan. Bought it disassembled in Jan 2015. It was originally sold in the US. The mileage is at 34 000 miles. Please find attached pictures of the progress. Any comments, good or bad, are very welcome.

I have 3 questions already, please find attached pictures.
1. There is a missing part between the lever of the vacuum system and the 2 headlights. What is the name of this part and where do I buy it?
2. What is the function of this switch? It's located in the glove compartment box and a similar one is underneath the dashboard on the driver's side.
3. The engine is completely disassembled. The previous owner started overhauling the engine. In the trunk new pistons were found, etc. I'm looking for an Lotus engine expert to repair it, so would like input if you have a good adress in or near the Netherlands & UK or an indication of what price is reasonable.

I will keep you up to date on the pogress!

Kind regards.

[jimj]

That glovebox switch is an anti-theft switch, interrupting power to the coil, I think. The other one may do the same but most people throw them away and use a continuous wire.
Your headlamp system is the export fail-safe type so I don`t know what that bracket is called. Paul Matty or Sue Miller will tell you (and sell you). Do buy a workshop manual too.
Plenty of engine builders in England which may be best for you.
Good luck.
Jim

[billwill]

You can find the parts-diagrams in the (in-preparatio) Wiki on this website.
Click this: http://www.lotuselan.net/wiki/Category:Elan_Parts_List

From these you should be able to see what parts look like and get their official name.

This is the diagram for the headlights
http://www.lotuselan.net/wiki/BL_-_Body ... uum_System

[elanfan1]

Disconnect that glovebox switch they are nothing but trouble as they are cheaply made and often fail causing starting issues. The other one mounted possibly on the under dash fitted bonnet release cable bracket is almost certainly a hazard warning lamps switch.

Buy yourself the parts manual and a workshop manual.

I wonder if Arno on here can point you at a good local engine builder?

Oh and welcome!

Steve

[terryp]

Hello
The headlamp link rods are federal only. They are not available in the UK but they are available from the U.S. The alternative is to make them up yourself by using
This bit :-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Throttle-Link ... 3f25641cc8

Two 8mm ball joints , one RH thread, one LH thread

Two 1/2 size lock washers again one of each thread type

Take out the existing balls you have and fit the whole piece like this:-

Good luck
Terry

[terryp]

Sorry it's this one, everything in M8

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Throttle-Link ... 41698234e5

And this

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vi ... 0942983343

And this

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vi ... 1713111248

[Sandals man]

Thank you all Elan lovers for the quick response.I will assemble the rods as suggested by Terryp.
Kind regards.Willem

[Sandals man]

Hi all, a progress update! See attached photos, comments are very welcome!

I also ordered the parts terryp suggested above. They have arrived and will assemble later and attach a photo.

[richardcox_lotus]

Is 8859 the unit number if your car ? If so it suggests the glovebox is original to it.

"JBSpecial" could mean anything......

Probably written by the builder but who knows why ? If you have documentation about the cars history (previous owners, etc) then that may be a clue. What were the names of Dutch dealers ?

[Grizzly]

The Glove box's usaly have some ones initials on the back (i assume the guy who assembled the dash originally) so knowing this i can only assume its assembled by JB and he had a bit of an ego

[elanfan1]

It's a bit close to JPS Special but don't think that's likely. Have you contacted Lotus Archives on here to see what they have on the car?

[Grizzly]

Tried to get a picture of the back of my 2 seater Glove box but it's fitted so a bit of a Pain (you get the idea)

This is a better picture of our +2 Glovebox.

[trw99]

I suspect the JB and 'Special' refer to two separate items.

My guess would be that JB is the production line chap's initials and that the special refers to paint colour. Since the car was originally sold into North America in spring 1969 it may have been delivered either nude (no colour, to be sprayed by the dealer/importer, as was the case for quite a number of US cars), or in a one-off colour.

Tim

[Sandals man]

Thank you all for the reactions.My Elan s4 chassis nr 458859 comes from the US and I bought it disassembled in 2015 .Some small parts are missing.That is why I have this question.My master brake cylinder has 2 exits and no servo.I found a loose 3 way brake pipe union in a box in the trunk.The brake pipe to the rear is on the chassis.How goes the brake pipes from the master and where must I mount the brake switch?
Kind regards from Holland
Willem

[mbell]

If it was originally a US market car it would have had dual circuit brakes to meet federal requirements.

One connection goes to the front brakes, one to the rear. So the spare three way you found is probably for the front brakes. The rear will have one a 3 way near the rear of the car.