Lotus Elan

Gearbox offset

PostPost by: Bud5000 » Tue Sep 26, 2023 6:22 pm

IMG_20230924_122811.jpg and
68 Plus 2. My gearbox seems offset to the right of the chassis as it comes up through the floor. (from drivers seat)
There is about 30mm gap on the LHS and 10mm gap on the RHS, I had to remove some fibreglass as it was contacting on the RHS.
I want to place the protective rubber boot over the gearlever and shifter nylon ball, but not if its incorrectly set up.
The PO had the body removed for chassis surface rust in 2019 to meet compliance coming in to NZ.
Could it have been reassembled wrong?
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PostPost by: JonB » Wed Sep 27, 2023 9:11 am

Unlikely, unless they drilled new bolt holes on reassembly. I'd suspect your engine or gearbox mounts.
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PostPost by: rgh0 » Wed Sep 27, 2023 9:41 am

Do you have a standard 1500 block ? if it has a 1600 block with the larger engine mount bosses on the exhaust side and the standard spacers that would push the engine over and move thegear stick like you see

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PostPost by: Stevie-Heathie » Wed Sep 27, 2023 3:07 pm

Lots of cars don’t have it, but the metal plate which fixes onto the fibreglass over the top of the ragged hole is a big help. It leaves a nice circular hole for the gear-lever gaitor to snugly fix into.

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PostPost by: Bud5000 » Thu Sep 28, 2023 5:40 am

Its a factory engine, LP11078LBA.
I've had a quick look at the exhaust side engine mount and I think it has an inlet side engine mount installed on the exhaust side. That's what I can tell from the other websites and the forum.
I noticed the cam cover also hitting the bonnet lining so that seems to match with the engine being too high and over to one side.
I'll check the inlet side in the weekend and see if they are the same or can be changed or if I'm buying new ones.
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PostPost by: rgh0 » Thu Sep 28, 2023 7:48 am

The Plus 2 uses the standard mount on both inlet and exhaust sides and the engine should sit level. The Elan used a Lotus special higher lift mount on the inlet side and standard on the exhaust side to lift the Webers up for body clearance

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PostPost by: Bud5000 » Fri Sep 29, 2023 4:47 am

Here's the photos of the engine mounts. Not the greatest due to access. It's square flanged on the exhaust side and concurve on the inlet side.
The first 2 photos are inlet side.
Which ones are supposed to be where?
Attachments
IMG_20230929_092052.jpg and
IMG_20230929_091802.jpg and
IMG_20230929_091705.jpg and
IMG_20230928_180932.jpg and
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PostPost by: oldelanman » Fri Sep 29, 2023 5:33 am

You have the wrong mount on the exhaust side, it's for the inlet side of a 2seater Elan with Weber carbs. Your inlet side mount is correct and you should have the same type on the exhaust side too.
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PostPost by: Bud5000 » Fri Sep 29, 2023 6:00 am

Awesome work and thanks to everyone. I'll get those ordered and fitted. Should solve those couple of problems straight away.
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PostPost by: Bud5000 » Wed Nov 29, 2023 9:05 am

Fitted the new engine mounts and wow what a huge difference. The engine is now level and the gearbox lever is central. The drivers side mount was stuffed. Dangerous in fact. Also explains why the air box was touching the inner guard.
Attachments
IMG_20231129_215501.jpg and
IMG_20231128_192744.jpg and
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PostPost by: 512BB » Wed Nov 29, 2023 9:21 am

Your fuel line looks old and is a fire waiting to happen. I would change it if it was my car.

Leslie
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PostPost by: Bud5000 » Wed Nov 29, 2023 9:35 am

Totally agree. I removed it to get better access to the mount and it won't be going back in. I have some proper fuel rated hose and good clips to fit the new one.
I'm slowly righting all the things wrong and unsafe.
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