Exposed flywheel ?

[Concrete-crusher]

Hi maybe a silly question but when looking from the engine bay down at the starter motor I can see the lower section of the flywheel teeth. Is this normal or am I missing a cover ?

If it's normal it seems odd as muck and dirt can get in

Advice welcome

Steve S3.5

[PeterK]

Yes, you're missing a cover.





Small plate, held on with 1/4 bolts from memory
Peter

[djb222]

Hi,

I noticed the same thing on my recently purchased S4, and posted a similar question.

They seem to have several names depending on who you talk to, dust cover, sandwich plate, engine back plate etc.

Anyway, look on SJS sportscars parts where it's an engine back plate lower part SJ026E0012 for a price idea. I'm not recommending any supplier as there are several out there including ebay, where they can be more expensive, at least when I searched a couple of weeks ago.

Check you have the upper fitted.

regards
David

[Concrete-crusher]

Thanks David , did you just bolt it in place or do you need to separate the engine block from the gearbox to fit it ?

Steve

[TeeJay]

There is an Engine Back Plate Upper, which has the large hole for the starter motor to fit through.
This is fitted between the Engine and Bell Housing, only possible to fit with engine separated from the Bell Housing.

Also the small Engine Back Plate Lower. This is easily fitted, from the bottom of the engine, as it slides into the Upper Back Plate and held by bolts. It is fitted after the Upper plate is assembled.

See photos from the SJSports cars web page:- http://www.sjsportscars.co.uk/index.php?mod=10
See parts no. SJ026E0019 and SJ026E0012

[djb222]

This is my missing plate, or rather the space where it should be,



I am sure it can be fitted fairly easily, I seem to remember fitting one to a Westfield I built many years ago after discovering I had somehow forgotten to fit it, oh what an impetuous youth!

David

[KevJ+2]

David,
At least it looks like you have at least got the top plate fitted. If that's your red clutch hose it might be worth making sure it's away from the exhaust.
Kev. (no longer an impetuous youth either )

[john.p.clegg]

Hate to disagree but from this angle it looks like you don't have the sandwich plate fitted,either top or bottom...

John

[djb222]

The top plate is fitted, you can just about see it either side of the bell housing. It's quite obvious from a top view.
I'll probably be purchasing and fitting the lower plate soon.

I noticed that to, Kev. The more I look the more jobs I find, fun though!!!

David

[KevJ+2]

John,
I was going by the small triangle I beleive is next to the slave cylinder, it's hot and I've just had a couple of gins - very nice too It's a lot clearer with liquor, I must try this more often
Kev.

[TeeJay]

Sorry that the link in my post above does not work, don't understand why. It worked when I first posted, as I did do a check. Although it is easy to find on the items on SJSportscars web site. On the search menu, Select model = Elan S1, 2 etc, Selection = Engine, Component = Miscellaneous, then click the search button. It will then list the items and you will find the Engine Back Plate, Upper and Lower. Click the camera item and see the photo.

So oo here are photos of my car a +2, but the parts are the same.

Upper Back Plate Fitted.

The red arrows show the Upper plate. LH arrow is by the Starter motor, RH arrow where the Clutch Slave Cylinder is fitted.

Lower Back Plate

The 2 bolts that fit the Lower Plate are 1/4 UNC x 9/16" long.

Lower Back Plate Fitted

John, just seen your post and I think that the upper plate is fitted as you can just see the sharp angle point of the upper plate by the Clutch Slave cylinder. On my photos; although taken from the LH side; the slave cylinder is not yet fitted, but the Upper plate is.

[john.p.clegg]

I stand corrected...

John

[KevJ+2]

Trevor, due to the extra hole at the plate bottom, could this be for a four bolt crank sump? I thought the lower plate should be a bit flatter but I also stand to be corrected.
Kev.

[TeeJay]

Kev, I am not sure what the extra hole is for. I don't think is has anything to do with a 4 bolt crank.

It is probably more to do with it being a Ford item, so it can fit to other Ford combinations.

On my +2, the engine block is based on the Ford Cortina 1500 and the 4 speed gearbox, from the Ford Corsair 2000E.

The 5 speed box has Austin Maxi internals inside a Lotus case. So this may have a different Bell Housing and the Lower plate also fits to to it.