Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hi gentlemen. When I was looking at prior discussions about fuel system set up I came across this.

I assume this is to allow access to the axles or differential?

Diff fill plug and hand brake tree if you are lucky.

Funny that, cos that`s mine and I have just referred to it on another thread.
Yes, access for checking diff oil level, or if you position it further to the right it will help with the hand brake tree.
It is a waterproof access hatch as used on small boats.
The pump is for priming only, to eliminate the excess cranking time with Weber carburettors
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

edited spelling

Nice work Eric - very tidy job. I like it.

tdskip wrote:Hi gentlemen. ....

Lotus Elan Access hole idea.jpg

I take it that ladies would not understand....

HCA wrote:

tdskip wrote:Hi gentlemen. ....

Lotus Elan Access hole idea.jpg

I take it that ladies would not understand....

I shall use the phase "Hello people" next time, I'm sure everyone here has something to offer regardless of gender.

I haven't seen any ladies (or even women in general) post in our forum in a while, so you're safe for the time being!

Eric,
I’m just getting round to fitting one of your access ports. What size did you fit?

Dave

Eric,
I like the idea of the electric pump for priming.
I currently have the manual bellow method but I get a whiff of petrol from it in the boot.
Questions
- do you just power it up in the boot to prime bowl?
- when it is turned off does fuel flow through it normally ?
- what make/spec did you fit ?

Many thanks
Chris

Hi Dave,
I think it is about 4" hole size, available on ebay or your local boat shop. Please notice my comment about positioning.
Further to the right gives better access to the handbrake tree and yet you can still get to the filler plug on the diff.
Also, i found the fibreglass distorted at that point, so I made a 3mm aluminium backing ring to hold the fibreglass flat so that it would not distort the hatch and therefore jam the thread.
Some have a bayonet fitting instead of the thread.
Best of luck
Eric

Hi Chris,
Thankyou, I am very pleased with the priming pump.
I fitted a double pole spring return toggle switch bracketed off the back of the dashboard fixing screw and ran a twin wire alongside the wiring loom to the boot. This way all wiring near the petrol tank is disconnected except during priming.
So I just need to reach under the dash to pull the switch back for a few seconds.
The pump is a cheapo Facet lookalike cube pump from ebay for about £12.00
I chose that type because they have a reputation for being noisy so I can hear when the pump slows, then the float chambers are full. Also, when I compared the photos of the Facet and this one they appeared identical and with the exact same accesories.
It seems to have very little restriction, in fact you can breath through it.
I bench tested it and it didn`t seem to mind how it was orientated, so I fitted it upside down to make the pipe run easier. Should it fail because of this, then it does not matter temporarily as then I revert to the original system, just using the engine pump.
We did two Elans like this in March 2018 and so far so good.
10 seconds priming and the engine starts immediately.
Best of luck
Eric in Burnley

Chris-72sprint wrote:Eric,
I like the idea of the electric pump for priming.
I currently have the manual bellow method but I get a whiff of petrol from it in the boot.
Questions
- do you just power it up in the boot to prime bowl?
- when it is turned off does fuel flow through it normally ?
- what make/spec did you fit ?

Many thanks
Chris

Chris,

One of the prior owners installed the electric pump (A redline unit) in the trunk of the car. I had my mechanic rewire it when we rewired the car.

It turns on and primes with a half turn of the ignition. I usually wait 5-6 seconds then start pumping the throttle 3-4 times before starting.

https://www.amazon.com/Wallo-Ceilings-p ... 0764&psc=1

This is the plastic hinged option I chose for accessing the diff plug/handbrake tee as well as the chassis diff mounts.

Hi FattoGatto,

Is that square hatch waterproof? The yacht-style ones are I know but could the square one leak into the boot in wet conditions?

Cheers

Steve