Fuel cutoff

[robertverhey]

Anyone had experience fitting one of these? Is below 12 lbs about right?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Longacre-Ele ... 3f0c0744fe

Seems a cheap alternative to a fiery end!

[jono]

An intertia switch seem to be the usual way of doing this

[billwill]

Anyone had experience fitting one of these? Is below 12 lbs about right?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Longacre-Ele ... 3f0c0744fe

Seems a cheap alternative to a fiery end!

Interesting..

It does assume that the engine stops in a crash, which ain't necessarliy so.

Perhaps one of these PLUS an inertia switch would provide both belt & braces.

[Orsom Weels]

Also assumes you've converted to electric fuel pimp

Not sure about 12psi either,.... hot twincam at idle with original oil pump etc I seem to remember Lotus had the oil pressure gauge face's & calibration altered to give the illusion of higher oil pressure Certainly seen my gauge reading that low when sitting in traffic, not sure how accurate it is though

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

I seem to remember Lotus had the oil pressure gauge face's & calibration altered to give the illusion of higher oil pressure Certainly seen my gauge reading that low when sitting in traffic, not sure how accurate it is though

That's an interesting observation.

I know that certain car makers play with the calibration of coolant temperature gauges, where the actual temperature is higher than displayed in order to reduce engine internal frictional losses.
If owners saw the temperature going over the "blue" area into the "red" area of the gauge they would all be marching into the dealership.

Has anyone actually compared the Lotus gauge reading with an accurate manometer & are the replacement units with a higher reading range also "doctored"?
Are we talking hydraulic (Elan) or electrical (+2) gauges here?

Sorry for the off-topic diversion

Cheers
John

[Orsom Weels]

Hello John,

I can't remember where I heard/read abut this but as I remember it, the original dual water temp/oil pressure gauge, with the needle pointing straight up, gave a reading of 50psi, which meant that usually the needle was well into the lower 1/4 of the scale. This lead to dealers receiving complaints of low oil pressure from worried owners. Lotus' solution was to ask Smiths to change the markings on the face to put 30psi in the centre (straight up) & recalibrate the gauge accordingly, thus meaning the needle was now in the upper 1/4 of the scale when driving & still appearing to show healthy pressure at idle. The pressure hadn't changed, just the posistion of the needle. Ergo no more complaints
I suspect that this dodge, er, I mean sollution continued as my +2 (with capillary/hydraulic gauge) shows 30psi in the centre of the scale thus creating the same illusion of better pressure as the needle moves further accross the scale

Regards, Tim

PS, Appologies for continuing your topic diversion

[nebogipfel]

Hello John,

I can't remember where I heard/read abut this but as I remember it, the original dual water temp/oil pressure gauge, with the needle pointing straight up, gave a reading of 50psi, which meant that usually the needle was well into the lower 1/4 of the scale. This lead to dealers receiving complaints of low oil pressure from worried owners. Lotus' solution was to ask Smiths to change the markings on the face to put 30psi in the centre (straight up) & recalibrate the gauge accordingly, thus meaning the needle was now in the upper 1/4 of the scale when driving & still appearing to show healthy pressure at idle. The pressure hadn't changed, just the posistion of the needle. Ergo no more complaints
I suspect that this dodge, er, I mean sollution continued as my +2 (with capillary/hydraulic gauge) shows 30psi in the centre of the scale thus creating the same illusion of better pressure as the needle moves further accross the scale

Regards, Tim

PS, Appologies for continuing your topic diversion

Yes as I understand it that's why basically the same dual gauge fitted to other classics of the period (eg MG's) has a different scale with a higher maximum.

No experience of cut-off valves I'm afraid .......... however I wouldn't be me if I didn't point out that the best solution is to use the mechanical fuel pump as Lotus intended then you are not going to have a high pressure petrol hose spraying flammable liquids all over the place

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

Hello John,

I can't remember where I heard/read abut this but as I remember it, the original dual water temp/oil pressure gauge, with the needle pointing straight up, gave a reading of 50psi, which meant that usually the needle was well into the lower 1/4 of the scale. This lead to dealers receiving complaints of low oil pressure from worried owners. Lotus' solution was to ask Smiths to change the markings on the face to put 30psi in the centre (straight up) & recalibrate the gauge accordingly, thus meaning the needle was now in the upper 1/4 of the scale when driving & still appearing to show healthy pressure at idle. The pressure hadn't changed, just the posistion of the needle. Ergo no more complaints
I suspect that this dodge, er, I mean sollution continued as my +2 (with capillary/hydraulic gauge) shows 30psi in the centre of the scale thus creating the same illusion of better pressure as the needle moves further accross the scale

Regards, Tim

PS, Appologies for continuing your topic diversion

Thanks Tim,

yes I think the above description is what we understand about the Lotus dual gauge.
The range of the original gauges & the newer replacement gauges with higher PSI readings has been discussed on here in the past.
The reasoning behind the differences was something that I had not given any thought to.
The psychological factor is doubtless reasoning behind the expanded Lotus scale.
Everyone likes to see the needle hovering around the middle of the range.

Cheers
John