Removed engine and 'box

[dpchamp87]

So almost 37 years to the day after I bought my first Elan I finally took a motor out. Took it out together with the 'box and apart from having to lower the front of the car to allow the bellhousing to clear the engine mounts it was plain sailing. Some jobs on these cars are just a bitch due to either cost cutting or Lotus nonsense (eg doing anything to the clutch slave; getting the headers off; getting the lhs engine mount off) but it's out now and the next job is to keep gearbox oil in the gearbox.

It is a YES! moment when the bellhousing pops over the engine mounts.

David

1970 S4 with Sprint motor

[bill308]

And it's an even bigger YES when it's put back in place ready to GO.

Bill

[billwill]

However it is an Oh soddit moment when you discover the gearbox oil runs out of the back end, if you forgot to drain it beforehand.

As I recall.

[dpchamp87]

It certainly would be. Even after draining the oil I had a foot wide puddle on ground and it's still dripping out of the chassis spine. I wish someone would invent gear oil that smells like something good; cabernet for instance.

David

[pereirac]

I always figured that oil on the chassis stopped rust at least so it's not all bad

Carl

[hatman]

I wish someone would invent gear oil that smells like something good; cabernet for instance.

You need Redline MTL you do.

[alexblack13]

What! are you kidding! It smells worse IMHO... and its too fecking pricey to spill. But I managed it! I decided I would use a big syringe to fill my diff'. Great idea I thought. Filled the device and stuck the hose in the hole (as you do!) and pushed and pushed and pushed harder until... Sploosh.... the hose shot off the end of the syringe and I had (stinking & expensive) redline gear oil everywhere. What a feckin mess!!

Took ages to clean the mess up and I could have done without the hassle and it did stink to the high heavens!!

What is the answer for filling the diff in situ? Access panel in the boot or what? whats the best idea?

Alex B....

[bcmc33]

What is the answer for filling the diff in situ? Access panel in the boot or what? whats the best idea?

This is a 5" port hole from a dingy. If I'd given it more thought it could have been a 9" port which would give access to the hand brake tree.

[69S4]

My answer was similar but smaller - a 2" blanking grommet. Remove the n/s rear wheel to get access to the filler plug and add oil down a pipe that goes through from the hole in the boot.

That dingy part does look like a good solution though.

[alexblack13]

Yep. Going to take me a look at one of those or similar.. I have the ramp mind so getting under the car is not an issue..

Thanks..

Alex B....

[alexblack13]

Ment to ask how it works....

Doh!!

Alex...

[ElliottN]

I pump it in with a small hand pump.

[trw99]

Ment to ask how it works....

Doh!!

Alex...

Alex

These are standard fittings in a lot of sailing boats and readily available in a variety of sizes and colour!

You would need to cut a hole the size of the outer ring and epoxy glue that in place. The hatch cover then engages in the ring and twists to form a waterproof seal. They probably weigh little more than the glass you have cut away.

Tim

[alexblack13]

Result! I will go and have a look asap. That + that little hand pump sounds good to me..

Thanks all.

Alex B....

[twincamman]

my motor and tranny just hit the floor at 12 noon to day for a new ring gear ----hope to have it back in by Sunday - --ed