CLUTCH

[mar083]

Hi everyone,
can someone tell me what is the piece (and its reference) that is missing on this opening. Inside you can see the clutch mechanism. Thank you for your help
Christian

[pharriso]

Christian, I think you are actually looking at the nose or pinion of the starter motor.

The can that is missing is variously called the "Coffee can", Bell housing starter cover or "Starter Pinion Cover"

[512BB]

There is more than one size hole / cover, so be careful if you spot one for sale. Make sure it is right for your application. If you do find one, you will know if it has been used in an Elan in the past, as it will have the Lotus bash in it, to clear the chassis.

Leslie

[ericbushby]

Hi Christian,
I never managed to find the correct cover but that hole has to be covered up.
I eventually found a plastic bottle which when cut in two and painted black did the job nicely until one turned up.
Later, after fitting a modern starter motor it was a lot easier to make a cover as there is not a pinion projecting through the hole.
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

[pharriso]

Christian, this bellhousing on eBay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/386825516369? has the Ford cap installed:

Note: the Ford cap was modified by Lotus with a whack to dint it to clear the lotus chassis. I could not find a picture here anywhere...

[Lotus54]

It would be easy to design and 3D print a well fitting cover.

[mar083]

Thank you all for your answers; If someone had the 3D file, I have a 3D printer. On the FORD part, it's the black metal cylinder that is the part I'm looking for.
Christian

[alan.barker]

Imho don't bother. You will have lots of other jobs on your Lotus that need doing lol.
Alan

[512BB]

'Imho don't bother'

You can't be serious with that comment Alan, surely. The cover is there for a number of reasons that I can think of. To stop dust and dirt from entering the bellhousing which could contaminate the clutch surfaces. The same will find their way onto the starter motor bendix and related parts. People often comment on here that the original starter motor is useless. No wonder if dust caps are omitted.

When ever I have removed an engine and gearbox from a car, there has always been grit and dirt inside the bellhousing, and thats with all covers and seals, front and back fitted, so don't give them an easy path by leaving one off.

Leslie

[alan.barker]

your right Leslie,
best to fit one why not.
But on the 3 +2s and 1 Sprint i have owned none have had the bashed/modified sheet metal cover/bell.
Nor did my Twincam Cortina.
It's at the back of the Bellhousing. I thought there used to be a sketch going around to make a dolly out of wood so you could get the "bash/dent" looking not too ugly
Alan

[SENC]

your right Leslie,
best to fit one why not.
But on the 3 +2s and 1 Sprint i have owned none have had the bashed/modified sheet metal cover/bell.
Nor did my Twincam Cortina.
It's at the back of the Bellhousing. I thought there used to be a sketch going around to make a dolly out of wood so you could get the "bash/dent" looking not too ugly
Alan

Ncommitted. S2 Seven, and as I've researched it seems they frequently (generally?) didn't come with the cap. That said, I'd agree that having one is better than not - but in the grand scheme of things it would seem low risk if ommitted.

[mar083]

Merci à tous pour vos réponses. je crois que je vais essayer de fabrique en 3D un couvercle en plastique.

[Quart Meg Miles]

I bought/found a standard Ford 105E part and cut the diagonal from it then (somehow, probably got someone else to do it) brazed or welded a bit of mild steel across it.

[ElanDNA]

Hello Christian
I knew I still had these parts in stock somewhere. Took me a while to find them.
One original from my Elan, one from a Ford Corsair.
Which one would you like?
Greetings Urs

[ElanDNA]

Made for me on my lathe, from aluminum, to match the aluminum bellhousing.
Pay attention to the inside length! The starters are different.
Urs