Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Does anyone know the OEM way to attach these two lights? Currently, mine are attached with some sheet metal screws right into the fiberglass. This doesn't seem right; although I've had no problems, seems like there should be some speed nuts for the screws. So, anyone using the oem way, or some improved method?
Thanks.

Greg Z

Hi Greg

This is what I got with 36/6292, it may not be the way the late Elans were put together but I didn't really want to take the lamps out of the 70 Coupe.

Gary





Sunday May 27th 10:35 am

Another photos of the lamp and spire nuts disassembled and somewhat cleaned.

Thanks Gary. I see a phillips headed screw with a speed nut on the backside. My lights have two spade connectors instead of one. Everything else looks the same. Any later examples out there?

Greg Z

Greg,
Can't recall exactly what was used originally, but definitely not any sort of captive nut. I ended up using stainless steel screws and nuts with ss spring washers. Because it is a bit of a fiddle getting the nuts started, I decided to replace the incandescent, festoon bulbs with LED bulbs. The LEDs last longer, use very little power and most importantly, create very little heat so the lens of the light unit will not melt. I used "warm white" LED bulbs with three LED elements and are probably too bright. The two LED units are probably a better solution.
Regards,
Colin.

gjz30075 wrote:Does anyone know the OEM way to attach these two lights? Currently, mine are attached with some sheet metal screws right into the fiberglass. This doesn't seem right; although I've had no problems, seems like there should be some speed nuts for the screws. So, anyone using the oem way, or some improved method?
Thanks.

Greg Z

gjz30075 wrote:Does anyone know the OEM way to attach these two lights? Currently, mine are attached with some sheet metal screws right into the fiberglass. This doesn't seem right; although I've had no problems, seems like there should be some speed nuts for the screws. So, anyone using the oem way, or some improved method?
Thanks.

Greg Z

Greg,

Sorry, I can't help. I have same arrangement that you have with screws going into the fiberglass. It has worked for many years anyway.

Speednuts sound good but I don't know how you could hold them in place.

I ended up getting new sheet metal screws and simply screwing them back into the fiberglass. Worked for many years before. I like the LED thing. I think I'll investigate......

Greg Z

My cars have had the sheet metal screws and speednuts (Tennerman). My improved method of retaining was to make pictured brass pieces (.032, .8mm thick). I drilled an undersized hole for the screw, then punched it to extrude some material for longer threads. I tapped the threads, but one could use self-tappers. I think I used #6-32 and I can't verify now as I'm in Ohio and the car is in Florida. I was only able to use one of these this time, since the laminations on the inside of the boot lid weren't flat. Also, be careful not to use too long a screw, which could touch the hot terminal and short out.

I have taken dimensions if anyone would care to duplicate them.

I too am concerned about the heat so I will be changing to LED bulbs.

Roger

Interesting Roger, thanks.

Greg Z

Note the little 1/4" wide tab on the corner for the earthing wire.

Roger