Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Federal plus 2. Weber head

Pulled the crank pulley to replace with a 36-1 cogged wheel

Woodruff key has vanished!

In an abundance of caution I figure I probably should pull the sump to check it hasn’t ended up in there — is that even a possibility?

Assuming I need to pull it, can it be done with engine in car?

Thanks

N

I believe it depends what chassis you have and whether the crossmember is removable?

The woodruff key actually extends further and into the oil deflector and timing chain sprocket behind so there's actually no way it should fall out just by removing the pulley. It may have sheared off. I'd be investigating further with an inspection light to see what lies behind the pulley.

I'm not sure why you wish to replace the standard pulley with something else by the way. Unless you need a crank trigger for fuel injection (waste of time if it's just ignition you are thinking about) there really is no need.

Thx
Needed a crank pulley with ring for efi crank sensor
(:

EPC 394J wrote:I believe it depends what chassis you have and whether the crossmember is removable?

It's a +2 so member is removable
Alan

I am pretty sure the key cannot go into the sump as the oil deflector plate closes off the rear of the pulley and is tight up to it. If it was pushed out when fitting the pulley the pulley would not go fully home. I suggest that it was left out somehow. As suggested an inspection is required.
It is possible that it has been running without a key.
On reflection the key is trapped in with the crank sprocket so if it was present when the chain case was installed it would not move at all when the pulley was fitted, the inspection is imperative


Good luck

If there was no Key, how did you do Ignition Timing in the past.
Alan

Nick,

It’s been awhile since I’ve fitted one of these pulleys, but I think I remember that as you install the pulleys you need to apply inward pressure whilst also rotating the pulley and you will feel pulley engage with the key. If this is correct you will feel if the key is present.

Hope this helps,

Richard Hawkins

The key was in the pulley before I pulled the Pulley off.
So Its a question of looking closely all around before I pull the sump.
Thanks

Back to the original question, yes you can remove and replace the sump in a Plus 2 with engine ine. It's a pretty miserable job on jackstands. Use a hoist if you can.

Thanks much

I really dont think its possible for the key to fall inside. Get a good bright light and look more but I dont think its possible. Use a seal puller ti get the front seal out to look behind it . i think the key is bigger than the space between the cover and the slinger inside the cover.

Thanks much.
Busy day so didn’t get to it yet (:

I have replaced +2 sump in situ on a standard Lotus chassis car. It’s a real pain but doable. To help I used some studs and longer bolts to line up and hold the sump in place. Once in place, the studs and long bolts were removed and correct ones inserted, The big difficulty I recall was getting the lip seals to stay in place. Someone on here recommended aviation type gasket sealant which is tacky enough to hold them in place, but very very tricky from underneath.

I would make every effort to find the missing key so to avoid doing this job.

Drain the oil and it may come out, IF, it made that far. Then, with a borescope, look around inside.