+2 wheels on ‘regular’ Elan

[Lotus54]

My 66-67 S3 Elan has +2 wheels on it (K/O).
I have not checked both yet, but at least one of the rears is touching the bolts on the lower A arm, and those have been ground down for more clearance.
Somehow I thought the rear was the same, but I must be mistaken. OR there is an issue with the car.

I would rather get some steel wheels, but do not seem to be any around and the supplier for Miller cannot make them anymore and they have not found a new source (so they recently told me).

Anyone else using the plus2 wheels and have them work?

Car currently have 175 tyres, which I plan on changing, original idea was 165/70.

Open to ideas/thoughts.

Mark

[alan.barker]

Mark are the bolts in the "A" frame correct with the "thin" head.
Alan

[Lotus54]

Mark are the bolts in the "A" frame correct with the "thin" head.
Alan

Yes

[alan.barker]

Mark,
Try the spare wheel to see if different. Some people modify the 4 running wheels but not the spare. Because if spare is bigger or altered it won't fit in the boot.
Alan

[Lotus54]

Mark,
Try the spare wheel to see if different. Some people modify the 4 running wheels but not the spare. Because if spare is bigger or altered it won't fit in the boot.
Alan

The spare is steel, fits just fine, lots of clearance.
I was told since original post that the +2 hubs are different, putting the wheel 1/2” or so further out.

I think I will just swap for steel wheels, I like the look of those anyway, although these look nice too. I do not know if weight is much different or not. I think these 175 are a bit wide, the front body lip has been modified so they do not hit, but I see some signs of rubbing on the inner rear- with the wider spacing they would likely fit fine, but plus 2 hubs are pretty expensive and since I am fine with stock wheels…

[Andy8421]

Mark,

Are you referring to the alloy +2 wheels?

If so, they are often used in racing, and (if the case of the wheels I have), the heads of the bolts through the A frames need to be ground on one side to follow the curvature of the inner wheel, and the wheels also need to be machined on the inside of the rim to increase clearance.

Even with both of these actions taken, I still have one wheel that just touches the bolt head.

Andy.

[Lotus54]

Yes, the alloy +2 wheels.
The bolt heads have been trimmed, still slighty. I do not think the left side is, but I have not looked closely.
My lathe is too small to turn them.
Since I like the steel wheels anyway- I think just going back to stock is the best choice for me. The original owner autocrossed it and so fit 175, Sprint valves/porting, adjustable spring perches and who knows what else.

I have only gently driven it close to home, until I get the CV axles- I don’t trust one of the rotoflexes.


Thanks for the info, that is a big help.

[alan.barker]

For more clearance with A Frames some owners have fitted Elan+2 Hubs at the Rear.
Alan