Airbox seal

[Si_130/5]

Hi Robbie,

The one I suspect might have been original was fitted to the metal backplate.

Si

[pereirac]

The original seal on my Sprint was made of cork (looked like a cam cover gasket off an MG or something similar - it probably was). Anyway I had problems finding a new one so I tried draft excluder sticky backed foam but this seemed to dissolve in the petrol fumes after a few months and just left a gooey mess. I now use the rubber U shaped edging you get for greenhouse glass - I had a load left after putting up a greenhouse so decided to give it a go. It seems to work nicely and gives a good seal.

Carl

[Robbie693]

deleted double post

[Robbie693]

Hi Robbie,

The one I suspect might have been original was fitted to the metal backplate.

Si

Thanks Si,

That's what I did with mine so that sounds ok then! I got mine a few years ago from Chris Neil's. Apparently a bumper seal from an elite/Eclat if I remember correctly, although it looks slightly slimmer than yours in the photo.

Cheers

Robbie

[deebee]

Greetings all. This subject was addressed at elan-f14/airbox-gasket-sealing-backplate-and-cover-t20035.html

I have had the Toyota Corolla gasket installed for some years to seal the two halves of the Elan airbox - cheap, great fit, no leaks and, being oil resistant, no deterioration. In Australia the part is supplied by the ACL Gasket Company 'Ezyfit' code JMO25EZ.

Dennis

[ceejay]

Guys, this has been covered before, go buy a seal for an early
toyota corolla K Series engine rocker cover, it works perfectly,
looks great and wont leak.
No need for silicon or trying to cobble one out of other stuff.

[Si_130/5]

It has been difficult to determine what was originally used as an air box seal, certainly on the later Plus Two. I've been trawling through endless archive engine photos and pictures of restorations carried out by the most respected originality obsessive compulsives in the business and very few show a rubber seal. In addition a sticker applied to later Elan air box covers reads;

When replacing this cover, remove old sealant and replace with a continuous fillet of Hylomar, 5032M medium 1/8 in (3.17mm) to 3/16 in (4.76mm) dia deep in the angle of the backplate, allow 30 minutes to elapse before joining.

The cork K Series Corolla cam cover gasket seemed the best option as apparently it works and retains the original appearance......until I spoke to Christopher Neil who told me there was also an original U-shaped rubber air box seal - used on Esprit and ?clat/Elite bumpers - which has a Lotus part number and appears in the Elan parts manual.
So although your rubber seal is a rarity Robbie it won't lose any marks in a concours d'?l?gance.

I've just bought one too.

Best wishes,


Si

[Robbie693]

So although your rubber seal is a rarity Robbie it won't lose any marks in a concours d'?l?gance.

I've just bought one too.

Best wishes,


Si

Thanks Si, I'm glad of the company! It seems to seal ok but sometimes comes loose at the bottom - I guess I should stick it to the backplate with something...

Regards

Robbie

[steve.thomas]

I bought one recently from SJ Sportcars - cork. They are still listing it on their website for 98p.
Steve