Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I acquired my +2 partially disassembled. Now completely stripped and on reassembly. Just trial fitted the new Vought gearbox in the chassis and going to trial assemble the engine to gearbox. Do I need a backplate between engine and gearbox like a typical Ford installation?

There is not one with my pile of bits and the Lotus manual does not show one that I can see.

Dave

Donels wrote:I acquired my +2 partially disassembled. Now completely stripped and on reassembly. Just trial fitted the new Vought gearbox in the chassis and going to trial assemble the engine to gearbox. Do I need a backplate between engine and gearbox like a typical Ford installation?

There is not one with my pile of bits and the Lotus manual does not show one that I can see.

There is a backplate, but "backplate" is a bit of a misnomer, it's a thin (about 1mm) sheet steel spacer, with a mating bottom section to close off the bottom of the bell housing.

It can easily be forgotten to be fitted when re-assembling the engine and gearbox.......

Donels wrote:I acquired my +2 partially disassembled. Now completely stripped and on reassembly. Just trial fitted the new Vought gearbox in the chassis and going to trial assemble the engine to gearbox. Do I need a backplate between engine and gearbox like a typical Ford installation?

There is not one with my pile of bits and the Lotus manual does not show one that I can see.

Dave

On trial fitment it's not so important. On final fitment it is important as the plate helps locate the starter motor accurately.

Dave,

After much faffing about I have convinced myself that this plate is important. The plate has three important holes. The large one that the starter registers in and two smaller holes that locate over the two dowels that protrude from the back of the block and align the gearbox to the engine. This plate locates the axis of the starter with respect to the axis of the crankshaft which in turn ensures that starter pinion engage correctly with the flywheel avoiding nasty noises, jamming and damage.

I believe plates are available from south west lotus. If buying used ensure the three important holes are round and the plate is not distorted, otherwise it may not locate the starter correctly.

Richard Hawkins

generally called a sandwich plate...

Early Twin Cam plate on ebay
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LOTUS-ELAN-E ... SwxJ9cRKDc

Nothing to do with me just thought it might be helpful.

Thanks for responses chaps. I?ve bought a new one.

Dave