S4 Stromberg Elan

[miked]

Can anybody help me here with my finished restoration (1600 miles in).

I have a S4 with Stomberg head. It runs superb. I have owned two elan plus 2's with big valve heads so know what to expect.

As, I say it really goes well. It has dowelled cam timing. I have checked the ignition timing again and agin. I use optimax and STP octain boost (to try for old 5 star). The dizzy is in good condition.

The problem. When sat in traffic the exhaust heat (at the fabricated type mainfold area) and the close proximty to the GRP body causes a hot smell from the GRP. Once the car is moving and the under bonnet temp' fall it quickly goes. It appears to have about 25mm between the middle two cylinder pipes and the body in this area.

I am considering wrapping the manifold tubes with heat wrap bandage. Also fiiting a special heatshield over the glass in this area. The wrap will also help with the general temperature under there.

Am I the only person to worry about this, or is this the same on all baby elans.
I am interested to hear what others do, if anything.

ps All rad sponges in place and the btm' deflector in place. Have a Pacet fan and lots of air flow. Even moved the recuperator bottle from the air flow path.
have I a funny shape maifold?

thanks Mike

[steveww]

My S4 has very little clearance in this area as well, so at least you are not alone here. I have fitted some heat shielding to the bulkhead at this poimt to try to protect it from the hot exhaust.

I am not too sure about exhaust wrap as the heat has to go somewhere - usually back in to the head

[freddy22112211]

I use an aluminium plate in the centre of the gap - see <a href='http://www.lotuselan.de/tech/tech.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.lotuselan.de/tech/tech.htm</a> - number 7
Gordon Nudd

[type36lotus]

Mike,

I used Thermo-Tec Aluminized Heat Barrier Adhesive Backed (the exact label). From summit Racing (www.summitracing.com).

Search on Heat Barrier on the Summit racing site.

It formed nicely to the pedal box and looks very professional. It has been in place for about an year now and no signs of falling off. They are also a good source for electric radiator cooling fans 7" - 16" dia., speed-bleeders and SS braid hoses and fittings. Usual disclaimers, just a very satisfied customer.


Mike Geiger

[miked]

Thanks for the help. I have purchased the Thermo-tec self adehesive shield from Demon Tweaks and will fit it.

I phoned the same company in the States to ask about the worry of heat going back into the head with the exhaust wrap fitted. The tech' boffin assures me it will only help move it away.

I have wrapped the single pipes to where they join. Will let you know how I go on.
Also, talked to friend who raced an S4 and he swore by the exhaust wrap for limiting the fire risk against the glass fibre area.

He gave me a good tip. Wrap stainless steel locking wire over the top of the wrap and back on itself to gived a bit more protection from the wrap lifting at the edges.

Thanks Mike

[rgh0]

Mike

I used the Thermotec self adhesive heat shield on the footwell on my Elan for a couple of years and eventually found the adhesive dried out and it lift off. For the last few years I have used a similar non adhesive reflective aluminum / woven fibreglass backed product and stuck it on the footwheel using high temperature silicone ( Loctite Copper ) as the adhesive. This is working much better and not lifting off. I have also wrapped the primary pipes and this is a great help at reducing under bonnet temperature and heat into the fibreglass.

Rohan

[sotul86]

Ok maybe little late on this

I did like this....

two aluminium plates with space in between
attached with screws.


Even been considering wrapping pipes.. but not done yet
will test this first


Johan

<a href='http://www.fullspeed.to/lotuselan' target='_blank'>My Webpage</a>

[miked]

Rohan,

Thanks for advice. Good to hear the endorsement on wrapping.

Johan,

The plate with the air gap looks a good idea. A single skin would probably transmit heat but the two with the air gap looks ideal.


Good to know I am not the only one with this worry.


Thanks to all for input.


Mike

[Frank Howard]

My problem was heat in the footwell. Rather than fabricating two aluminum sheets, I bought a Bake Lite cookie sheet and that's exactly what it is, two aluminum sheets with an air gap. I trimmed it to fit, then screwed it to the inside of the chassis near the exhaust and now my feet are no longer baking.

Frank Howard
'71 S4 SE
Minneapolis

[Frank Howard]

I actually got the Bake Lite cookie sheet from my wife. She was glad to get rid of the old discolored cookie sheet and replace it with a new one. My car does smell a bit like chocolate chip though, but believe me, that's a big improvement over the baked feet smell.

Frank Howard