Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I've been having regular chats with Sue Miller recently and one issue she mentioned was a desire to
start up a new shim bank. (Sadly she sold the old one following her husbands death.)

If anyone has any spare shims, she has agreed to credit them, for ?1 each, against any future orders.

Which at least saves you from losing them!

The Lotus Twin Cam (and 907, 910, 912) valve shims are the same size as those in the old SAAB 99 2-Valve engine (ie, Triumph TR7). I've had good luck approaching former, long-time SAAB dealerships. Most of the Service Departments had their own shim collection, separate from the Parts Department's 'for sale' inventory. Even before SAAB went away, it had been a long time since they had serviced an old 2-Valve. When asked if they would be willing to sell their shim collection, most have said, "Yes". And for an attractive price. Just a thought.

Regards,
Tim Engel

I thought the cam shims were common to Hillman Imps as well - may be wrong, but I had one of those and the shims I have left over in my toolbox appear identical...

Jeremy

SAABs and Triumph TR7 and Dolomite which all used the same basic engine design , Hillman imps, other Coventry climax engines, Jaguar XK six cylinder and also the V12 i think. . Maybe a few others ?

cheers
Rohan

I have a baccy tin somewhere marked "Stag cam follower shims" which will be the same if the TR7 and Saab ones are.

Maybe that can be my new pension fund I was dissapointed to find that my other pension, the baccy tin of weber jets, emulsion tubes, chokes etc cost less today than when I was shafted for them in the 80's

Lotus valve shims for Twin Cam and 9XX engines have the same part number (A026E6160Z thru A026E6250Z). They also match the shims in the Type 14 Ellite's Climax FWE. And all three are interchangeable with shims for the...

Triumph TR7, Stag & Dolomite, and Jaguar XK 6-cyl (Moss, Victoria British, The Roadster Factory... etc),
Saab 99 2-valve (local Saab ex-dealer),
Cosworth & Coventry-Climax (vintage racing shops), and the...
Hillman Imp (faux Climax FW_).

Available Size Ranges:
Lotus TC & 9XX ... 0.060"-0.150", in 0.001" steps... 0.060, 0.061, 0.062... etc (best resolution)
Saab 99 ................ 0.090"-0.120"
Triumph TR-7 ...... 0.070"-0.120", in 0.002" steps... 0.070, 0.072, 0.074...

I only mentioned former Saab dealers because, as a group, they seem to be more willing to give up sizeable shim collections for very low prices. From one ex-dealer, I got about 180 shims, in a compartmentalized bin, with a micrometer for around US$45. The shims were all used, but mostly serviceable... I only binned a few.

Regards,
Tim Engel

Chancer wrote:I have a baccy tin somewhere marked "Stag cam follower shims" which will be the same if the TR7 and Saab ones are.

Maybe that can be my new pension fund I was dissapointed to find that my other pension, the baccy tin of weber jets, emulsion tubes, chokes etc cost less today than when I was shafted for them in the 80's

Yes the stag V8 was a doubled up SAAB 99 and TR7 4 cylinder. The engines were designed by Ricardo PLC

cheers
Rohan

Always wanted to work for them in the days I was a contract designer, got to work for several firms close by including International Automotive Design but never the holy grail of Ricardo.

I have been a shareholder for 20 years also, never knew they designed the cut n shut Stag engine. I had one when I was 21, my real pride and joy at the time.