Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

A question for all you smart-arses out there that have done the conversion - what length is the propshaft?

Brian, which box are you putting in?

AussieJohn wrote:Brian, which box are you putting in?

The +2 Maxi box.

Brian, I bought a 5 speed maxi to put in my +2 but I have a tailshaft that was shortened for an s4, the problem is I dont know if it was ever used in a baby or just shortened and not installed. I was going to use it to make a standard +2 length.

John

Can you post a photo,I did the same but the bulk under the tailhousing wouldn't fit inside the central frame...

John

Brian,

Do you still need the propshaft length, or has someone sent you a PM or email ?

I have the Lotus 5 speed (maxi-based) fitted to my Sprint, and had to have the propshaft
shortened to fit.

If you still need the propshaft length, post back, and I'll jack the Sprint and take a measurement.

Regards,
Stuart.

John

Just got cold and dirty.......42" between flange faces...with 1 1/2" of the sliding shaft showing..

John

P.S. access plate and access hole photos..

Just to clarify....Elan Plus2

John,

Seeing that access hole tempts me to do the same on my +2 standard lotus chassis. It would make changing the rear oil seal on my 4 speed a piece of cake.

Is the chassis in the photo standard as well? If so, what about chassis stiffness?

Dave Chapman.

Dave

No such thing as "piece of cake" when talking about Lotus,but yes,standard chassis,no problems regarding stiffness-just ask the wife...

John

P.S. it was only last month that I "battered" a hole in the boot and fitted a door to get at the handbrake tree....makes life so much easier...

Wow, John, that?s well beyond the call of duty.

However, with the engine and gearbox out, I've measured the distance from the diff flange to the gearbox bracket three times over three days just to make sure it's correct before I order a propshaft. I calculated the distance between the diff flange and gearbox flange at 765mm (30?), so if I get the propshaft made to 750mm (29.5?) shortest length it should be OK.

According to the book, the +2 is 11.75? longer than the Elan so my 29.5 +11.75 = 41.25? shortest or 42.75? in situ. So my dimensions correlate quite well as I've allowed only 1/2" play, perhaps I should make it 3/4".

We had a discussion some time ago on adapting an Elite box into the Elan and never really understood your difficulties ? UNTIL NOW.


I have modified the 4 speed gearbox mounting plate by removing the reinforcment pieces and turning it through 180? in the chassis. The chassis has two sets of holes and with two new holes in the bracket it places it the required 96mm rearward compared to the 4 speed position. The new position is only 25mm from the start of the chassis box section, therefore, when you look at the picture I?ve found of the +2 and Elite 5 speed box tail sections, and scaling the different lengths, it is clear that the Elite box won?t fit the Elan.

Brian (friend)

....I know,i spent lots of time,effort and money altering the Elite tail section (and moving the gear lever) to mimic the Ford tail section just to fail at the last hurdle....I couldn't stuff it into the frame box section!!!!!

John

Brian obviously it is better to be a little shorter than too long but we but new props from GKN & they work on haviving the sliding joint 1/3 rd open eg 47mm travel 16mm open
Ian

Thanks, John.

Now severely tempted - I might just go for it. The pool of oil in the chassis will help lubricate my jig-saw.....

Thread diversion over...

Dave.

david.g.chapman wrote:The pool of oil in the chassis will help lubricate my jig-saw.....

There's a small pool of oil under my Elan in the garage - nowhere where oil should be. The penny dropped - my car has been jacked-up at the front for the last 5 days and the pool of oil is right under the rear end of box section.
I knew there was a nice film of oil in the box section, but not enough to drain off.

Hi Brian C. The propshaft which was modded for a "baby" measures 29.125" flange to flange with the sliding spline fully comressed; the spline travel is 43 mm.
John P.C. Thanks for the pics and measurements, good talking with you today! cheers, John.