Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Evening all,
Currently struggling with replacing engine mounts on my Plus 2. I?ve done the carb side, but needed to remove the carbs for access. Now I?ve removed the exhaust side mount, but don?t think I will be able to replace it without taking off the manifolds. Question is, has anyone managed to do this and is there some trick i?m missing? The workshop manual makes it all sound very simple......
Thanks
Steve

Steve
What I did was weld ( actually silver solder ) a small strap across the heads of the two bolts at the required distance , thereby making a "bridge" , this allowed me to place the two bolts in position through the engine mountings and just concentrate on doing up the nuts on the accessible side ( front ).

John

Thanks John,
I think you are referring to the 2 bolts that bolt the mount to the chassis, and I can see it makes sense. However, the problem I foresee are the 4 bolts between the mount and the engine block, especially the rear upper one. I can?t even get near enough to put the bolt in let alone find the thread and tighten it. Plus there is the added complication of the spacers on the exhaust side. Maybe the manual forget to say ?first remove the body? !!
Steve

I?ve had the same problem , funny thing is i have taken the engine mount of a few times without too much trouble but the last time I just could not get the top rear bolt head to clear the exhaust , so ended up undoing the centre 2 pipes and lifting them away just to get the bolt clear.

I guess it?s a very close clearance and depends how the exhaust is sitting on the manifold studs.

Steve

If one fits the mount to the engine first the awkward bolt can be inserted into the spacer before installation.
Obviously the chassis side isn't quite as easy as if no constraints but I reckon with only two bolts to fit it's less hassle than lining up on the block behind the manifold.

Put flat piece of wood under Sump supported by Scissor Jack.
The first bolt i fit is the top right one through the Mount + spacer into Block and leave it loose a couple of turns.
Pivot the mount around and fit the other bolts through the spacers into Block. Tighten all 4 bolts into Block.
For the Bolts Mount/Chassis use Scissor Jack until one lines up and pop it in place and put nyloc on a few turns.
Raise or lower Scissor Jack until second Mount/Chassis bolt lines up. Job done
Alan

Thanks to all for the replies. I found that undoing the manifolds and just pulling them away on the studs gave enough clearance to access the mounting and get the bolts in. Interesting to note that although the rubber was still attached to the metal part of the mountings, it had sagged at least 1cm on each side meaning that the engine was sitting lower than it should. One additional upside is that it?s a lot easier to refit the carbs now and reach the lower nuts.

The lift on carb side might get air filter fouling on bonnet?