Got a bad feeling........

[rgh0]

I ended up in a similar position a while ago when I bought a new dual gauge cheap of the internet that was supposed to fit the Elan. However it came with the male compression nut that was used on other British cars of the time ( e.g. MG's and TR's).

I spent a lot of time trying to source a suitable female - male adaptor from car parts suppliers, hydraulic component suppliers and instrument suppliers but could not locate one that was commercially available and modifiable as needed to fit the sensor bulb and sealing arrangement. I also looked at making my own but the costs of the tap and dies for forming the threads meant that in the end it was cheaper and easier to just buy another new gauge with the correct Lotus end fitting and on sell the incorrect gauge.

cheers
Rohan

[Europatc]

Mazzini your engine bay is a masterpiece wow
nice one
Stuart

[Geoffers71]

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions, but I think Rohan has hit the nail on the head so to speak. Unless there is an easily obtainable male/female adapter (and even if there is there's always the possibility that the bulb is too far out to measure water temperature accurately has has been suggested) then purchasing a proper Lotus gauge is the only really right way to go. I'll ring around the usual traders tomorrow and see what we're looking at price wise. Oh hum, piggy bank...look out here I come again, It's these unexpected costs over and above those that you normally expect that hit the budget. Still what did I expect, I have owned Lotus before

[collins_dan]

elan-archive-f16/temperature-bulb-fitting-size-t8072.html

Take a look at this post and the attached link. Looks like you need the MG adapter.

I think someone else had this problem and ended up buying the correct lotus parts and having the gauge rebuilt to fit them.

Good luck. Dan

[rgh0]

http://www.lotuselan.net/forums/elan-archive-f16/temperature-bulb-fitting-size-t8072.html

Take a look at this post and the attached link. Looks like you need the MG adapter.

I think someone else had this problem and ended up buying the correct lotus parts and having the gauge rebuilt to fit them.

Good luck. Dan

The male thread is wrong on that adaptor and it does not fit correctly in my experience and is way to loose especially if the thread in the head has wear or corrosion which is often the can. Cant remember the details off the top of my head but I think its straight BSP on the adaptor versus tapered NPT in the head . I have one and have tried it!

cheers
Rohan

[Geoffers71]

Aargh Rohan, just two minutes too late, I've just ordered the MG male/female adapter. Still only a couple of quid (plus VAT and delivery) so not that bad. I'll still ring around tomorrow for a replacement gauge though. Thanks everyone who responded to my cries for help. I got the answers I needed and the way forward.

[billwill]

Richard

Past your bedtime mate,I think we're talking temperature gauges at the moment...


John

Er no he's not.

The temp gauge is in the same dial unit as the oil pressure gauge. Getting a new temp gauge will also get a new oil pressure gauge.

[collins_dan]

Post a picture of the gauge face, so that people can tell you if it is correct. If it is, them maybe speedy cables can fit the proper capillary bulb and adapters. Dan

[Geoffers71]

Bit the bullet and just ordered a new gauge. ?110 inclusive of VAT & delivery. Advertised as for the Lotus Elan; the right script, 0 to 60 psi on the oil, right female screw so should solve the problems.
Anyone want a dual oil/temp gauge complete with an adapter which might (or might not) fit your Lotus

[Mazzini]

On the early cars the oil pressure gauge goes up to 100psi, but does anybody really care? I'll put my anorak on, get my notebook and sandwiches as the 12.33 from York is due in shortly

[billwill]

Bit the bullet and just ordered a new gauge. ?110 inclusive of VAT & delivery. Advertised as for the Lotus Elan; the right script, 0 to 60 psi on the oil, right female screw so should solve the problems.
Anyone want a dual oil/temp gauge complete with an adapter which might (or might not) fit your Lotus

Sell it to MG enhusiasts?

[rgh0]

Bit the bullet and just ordered a new gauge. ?110 inclusive of VAT & delivery. Advertised as for the Lotus Elan; the right script, 0 to 60 psi on the oil, right female screw so should solve the problems.
Anyone want a dual oil/temp gauge complete with an adapter which might (or might not) fit your Lotus

Interesting that it is 0-60 psi on the oil as all the new gauges I could find were 0-100psi. This was actually what I wanted as I run a hp / hv pump in my elan with a 60 psi normal pressure.

cheers
Rohan

[richardcox_lotus]

I could open a can of worms by saying my 72 sprint has always had a 0-100psi gauge.......

[Mazzini]

Mazzini your engine bay is a masterpiece wow
nice one
Stuart

Thank you, it's kind of you to say so. I'm not so far away, if your passing please feel free to stop by for a coffee.

[Craven]

Hi.
It was no coincidence that the early dual gauges had full scale deflection (FSD) of 100psi & 110 deg C. The vapour pressure of the fill in the temperature gauge, Diethyl Ether (DEE), is 100psi at 110deg C so Smiths used identical Bordon tubes in the construction of the two gauges. Although one goes clockwise and the other anti-clock, really good fun when setting the hair springs.
Well,I thought it interesting anyway.
Ron.