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Vertical Thermostat Housing/Filler - Source?

PostPosted: Sat Jul 14, 2018 1:33 am
by nthSteve
Greetings Elan Brothers & Sisters - This is my first post.

I'm very interested in getting an upright thermostat housing with filler neck (and fan switch?) - a la Clive Baker, but I don't seem to find any good contacts for him. Can anyone refer me to a source?

I've recently purchased a 72 Elan Sprint and am putting in an aluminum radiator and fan for the southern California heat. Some years ago I had a Lotus Cortina and a 47.

Thanks and Very Best to All!
Steve

Re: Vertical Thermostat Housing/Filler - Source?

PostPosted: Sat Jul 14, 2018 6:46 am
by 1owner69Elan

Re: Vertical Thermostat Housing/Filler - Source?

PostPosted: Sat Jul 14, 2018 9:00 am
by Chancer
Crikey, that is expensive, it was a standard Ford part fitted to the X/flow Fiesta Valencia engines, must be available elsewhere, try Google or E-bay.

Cost no more than a cuppa tea and a bun when I last bought one.

Re: Vertical Thermostat Housing/Filler - Source?

PostPosted: Sat Jul 14, 2018 9:59 am
by rcraven
The Burton part points the wrong way, doesn't it? So you'll need a different water pipe between it and the radiator.

Re: Vertical Thermostat Housing/Filler - Source?

PostPosted: Sat Jul 14, 2018 10:51 am
by billwill
Chancer wrote:Crikey, that is expensive, it was a standard Ford part fitted to the X/flow Fiesta Valencia engines, must be available elsewhere, try Google or E-bay.

Cost no more than a cuppa tea and a bun when I last bought one.


Clive's version has the outlet pipe pointing in the same direction as the non-filler Lotus twin cam part, it is produced in very small quantities, hence the high price.

The standard Ford equivalent part is MUCH less expensive, but the outlet port points well away from the engine and you have to use an angle in the upper hose pipe for it to reach the radiator.

I went for the standard Ford part.

Image

Re: Vertical Thermostat Housing/Filler - Source?

PostPosted: Sat Jul 14, 2018 10:58 am
by billwill
Burton's photo seems to be the standard Ford part and so the price is ridiculously high.

Re: Vertical Thermostat Housing/Filler - Source?

PostPosted: Sat Jul 14, 2018 11:01 am
by billwill
This is cliveboy's redesigned one, though it is not clear whether or not he is still supplying them.
The position of the thermostat-fan switch and outlet are inter-changed relative to the Ford part.


Image

Re: Vertical Thermostat Housing/Filler - Source?

PostPosted: Sat Jul 14, 2018 11:53 am
by Chancer
Standard Ford part, OK they have to maintain their margins but you the customer have a choice whether to throw away your money unless they have cornered the market.

Their description says:

Please note that the radiator hose inlet is turned through 70? clockwise compared to the original housing on a X/Flow and 110? anti-clockwise on a Lotus TC, so a modified radiator top hose will be required. Also note that the hose connection is smaller at 32http://www.lotuselan.net/forums/posting.php?mode=reply&f=39&t=42376mm.

Re: Vertical Thermostat Housing/Filler - Source?

PostPosted: Sun Jul 15, 2018 1:32 am
by nthSteve
Good inputs from 1owner69elan, Chancer, rcraven, and billwill.

Yes, I had seen the Ford style one at burton, but am hoping to get one of (or like) Clive's. I just sent him a PM and will post anything coming back from him.

If anyone knows of a current source for the Clive style one, please chime in. I did call coolex and they said nope.

Thanks, Steve

Re: Vertical Thermostat Housing/Filler - Source?

PostPosted: Sun Jul 15, 2018 8:00 pm
by RichardHawkins
I spoke to Clive a couple of months ago. He told me he no longer supplies pRts

Re: Vertical Thermostat Housing/Filler - Source?

PostPosted: Sun Jul 15, 2018 8:02 pm
by RichardHawkins
I spoke to Clive a couple of months ago. He told me he no longer supplies lotus parts.

Richard Hawkins

Re: Vertical Thermostat Housing/Filler - Source?

PostPosted: Mon Jul 16, 2018 2:50 pm
by nthSteve
Thanks, Richard. Dang.

One possibility is the Moroso 63730 filler (a filler neck welded to straight 1-1/2").

But the better bet is the Ford housing pointing to the left (per billwill's post with red hoses)
-from burton (expensive)
-Other Sources, e.g. (English) Ford suppliers???

Re: Vertical Thermostat Housing/Filler - Source?

PostPosted: Tue Jul 17, 2018 11:24 am
by rgh0
If Clive has retired form parts making we need to get Burtons or someone else to make a proper twin cam version. Not hard alloy casting I think for you Col.


cheers
Rohan

Re: Vertical Thermostat Housing/Filler - Source?

PostPosted: Tue Jul 17, 2018 11:45 am
by billwill
Maybe Clive should sell his mould to Sue Miller.

Re: Vertical Thermostat Housing/Filler - Source?

PostPosted: Tue Jul 17, 2018 12:52 pm
by Gray
A lot can be done with 3D printing these days, no personal experience, but wonder if it could be used for this.