Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hi There,

I have a problem, i am currently rebuilding my Lotus elan big valve engine. I have to an issue with the position of the crankshaft sprocket in relation to the jack shaft sprocket. When i place the crankshaft sprocket on, it is out of alignment with the jack sprocket by 2-3mm. My question is, is there suppose to be shims behind the crankshaft sprocket to space it out to get alignment with the jack sprocket?
There seems to be no mention of shims in the service manual.

Kind regards

Lee

Are you sure that you have a twincam sprocket and not a crossflow sprocket - the lotus one is offset to line up with the jackshaft sprocket?

elan-f15/jack-shaft-adaptor-t21051.html

take a look at this post on the jackshaft adapter too.

Gary

Thanks for the swift replies guy's

I have the adapter for the jack sprocket in place.
Here are some pictures of the issue as best i could do. Is it my eyes deceiving me or an optical illusion, but they don't look aligned. Or is that as good as it gets on an old Lotus?

Cheers

The correct parts are fitted so that's that out of the equation!

Could be down to crankshaft thrust washers - if the thrust faces of the crankshaft have been incorrectly ground from factory, or re-ground since then that could have an affect. Be a good idea to check what size thrust washers are in the front and back position.

Is the jackshaft adapter seated correctly onto the jackshaft?

I have seen crankshafts fitted with shims previously to push the sprocket further out. Might be worth pulling the crank sprocket off to see if that, or the crank mounting face itself, has been ground in the past?

I have seen a shim used (from new) on a Xflow crank but not on a TC but if you are unhappy with the alignment just add a shim as necessary.
Also have a look at this thread elan-f15/crossflow-crank-gear-t18221.html

Here is one of the same engine in the other thread, it hasn't gotten any further in the assembly/disassembly phase. It too looks slightly out of alignment, the Elan did quite a few miles just like it is so I don't know what to tell you.

Gary

Many thanks again for the replies. i'll go away and see whats what.

Cheers