Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Ok I know it's what everyone has been saying to me for 2 years but I had to give it a try.
Basically I have the secondary butterfly's, cross over pipes, vacuum retard, 41225 distributor. Strombergs with all the vacuum pipe bits.
I have cable tied the butterflies open to get me moving and the car being a Lotus again but what next?
Do I need to change the distributor?
Do I need to remove and block the cross over pipes?
Do I have to adjust the timing?
What do I have to do on the carbs to make them UK spec

What can I do with no additional parts ...... Or some additional parts

Thanks
Terry

Back in the day, I bought all the necessary bits to make my distributor act like a 40953 with the early advance curve. They consisted of weights, springs and the cam. It really woke the engine up. Doubt that you can buy those bits today but I'm sure a good shop can recurve the distributor to similar specs.

Greg Z

Thanks Greg
I'm beginning to think the bit I need first is the distributor
Then if someone could say whether this is correct.......
Return timing to 12BTDC
Remove all vacuum pipes and seal manifold
Remove cross over pipes and seal spacer and exhaust manifold
Remove butterfly's and seal ends
Remove??? Vacuum things?? On side of carbs and replace????
Remove vacuum retard device
New needles for carbs ???? Which ones?

Drive and enjoy

Thanks
Terry

I think you might need a bit more than that for the distributor. The bob weights and the advance springs won't be right so you'll be getting next to no total advance and it won't be coming in early enough. You probably have 7 degree bob weights and the UK Stromberg should have 12 degree ones. That's not too hard to diy fix but you'll have to change the springs. There are distributor rebuild companies who will do it although I've no idea on cost.

BTW, UK Stromberg static timing is 9 degrees, not 12. Carb needles - B1Y or B2AR would be a reasonable place to start + "natural" (ie metal coloured) spring

[quote="terryp"]I have cable tied the butterflies open to get me moving and the car being a Lotus again but what next?
Do I need to change the distributor?
Do I need to remove and block the cross over pipes?
Do I have to adjust the timing?
What do I have to do on the carbs to make them UK spec

What can I do with no additional parts ...... Or some additional parts

Thanks
Terry[/quote]

Try driving on the left Terry, see if that helps!

Tim

Ducking now ...

Stuart - Thanks for the info I will get searching for the parts.

Tim - not sure whether that is helpful, having said that driving a LHD Elan seems really weird.

Cheers
Terry

OK B1Y needles and natural springs on order with Burdens, email to Susan seeing if she has a second hand 40953 distributor so I am getting there.

Terry