S3 Restoration

[glennmoule]

Discovering these details make my day.
EnFo by the looks of it. Can anyone explain in more detail this brand name?
Is it English Ford? (Just a guess).
My days are made being able to save these parts.

[gjz30075]

Correct, English Ford. Those are the rear spring upper mounts, in case you were wondering.
Make sure the hole is a very good 'D' shape to hold the shock rod from turning.

[glennmoule]

Yes I certainly do know what they are thanks.
The D hole is in untouched condition.

Just one question. I have not started dismantling the rear strut assembly apart from removing the springs.
Just so I know, how does the lower spring carrier separate from the alloy hub upright? Is it interference fit or is it fastened at the bottom under that cap?

[glennmoule]

S3 Coupe diff colour.
It is 99% certain by the existing paint on this carrier that it was originally red or red oxide.
Can anyone confirm?
There is no sign of any other colour (expecting black) on it at all.

[glennmoule]

My deadline to finish my Elan is March 31. I am on target although getting this Miura ready for first start up is the priority.

An Elan S3 and a Miura P400 are very different cars in terms of their make up and also where they stand in the car industry. To build them side by side brings to the surface their individual beauty that very few will be get to experience. I feel extremely fortunate and proud to have the opportunity to personally restore these icons.
My main goal is to learn and absorb as much correct information as possible so that it can be passed on to the youngsters that are as passionate as I am about swinging some spanners.

[Mazzini]

Yes I certainly do know what they are thanks.
The D hole is in untouched condition.

Just one question. I have not started dismantling the rear strut assembly apart from removing the springs.
Just so I know, how does the lower spring carrier separate from the alloy hub upright? Is it interference fit or is it fastened at the bottom under that cap?

The lower spring platform and tube are an interference fit into the alloy hub/bearing carrier. I wouldn't remove it unless I really had no other option.

Lovely Muira, one of my all time favourite cars. Looks like a superb job.

[glennmoule]

Thanks Mazzini, this info is priceless.
I will crack test upright with all insitu.

[Certified Lotus]

If you do remove the tube you will need to heat the hub carrier with a propane torch (don?t use acetylene as you?ll melt the aluminum). Getting another back in is not easy. I had to freeze the shock tube in the freezer over night, put the hub carrier in an oven to heat up the entire piece and then have my press all set up to press both pieces in very quickly. Don?t even try to hammer the tube in with a wooden block, you will destroy the tube.

Very nice Muira. Your working on cars at the opposite end of the spectrum.

[glennmoule]

Thanks so much. I will now definitely avoid separating the tube from the upright. Luckily it is all in good condition.

[Mazzini]

I'd look for cracks round the brake caliper lugs. The bearing circlip grooves may have been damaged or repaired over the years.

[el-saturn]

if i'd have to find a mate for my s3 elan and i'd be in the Miura category, it'd be a ferrari 206sp or a porsche 904 sandy PS - you'ld have to get a UK mot (which is achievable) for the 206 whereafter i could get swiss plates -- long, rocky and super expensive path sandy

[Matt Elan]

Mazzini is correct - if the hub is ok then I wouldn?t worry about splitting them. If you do need to then stick the whole assembly in the oven at 170 degrees c then they should come apart as alloy will warm up and expand more than the steel. Putting them back together is easy steel in freezer carrier in oven and they will go together easily. Make sure swmbo is out before using the oven mind.....

[MrBonus]

My deadline to finish my Elan is March 31. I am on target although getting this Miura ready for first start up is the priority.

An Elan S3 and a Miura P400 are very different cars in terms of their make up and also where they stand in the car industry. To build them side by side brings to the surface their individual beauty that very few will be get to experience. I feel extremely fortunate and proud to have the opportunity to personally restore these icons.
My main goal is to learn and absorb as much correct information as possible so that it can be passed on to the youngsters that are as passionate as I am about swinging some spanners.

Stunning. I?d love to just pour a glass of wine and stare at this Miura for hours.

[glennmoule]

If you live close then you are more than welcome.

[MrBonus]

If you live close then you are more than welcome.

Thank you, however I believe I'm in the wrong country!