Hello, new Elan owner in Melbourne Australia

[Lotus Guy]

Hi,
I have just bought a 1971 Sprint dhc after many years of wanting an Elan after driving one about 15 years ago. I took the photo at a Lotus event in 2007 - little did I know that one day I would own it. Everything works and engine compression is good. Almost a barn find as it has not been driven for about 8 years. I'll be renewing the fluids, reconditioning the brakes, replacing the clutch and renewing fuel lines. Elan Trik Bits CVDS on order.

Any other recommended areas for attention ?
Thanks,
Guy

[pharriso]

Welcome, looks like a nice car in the best colour!

[mbell]

Welcome.

Is probably change the rubber brake hoses as part of the brake job, being a single circuit system one failure and you lose the brakes.

What is wrong with the clutch? It's common for them to plate to stick to the fly wheel if the car isn't used. So the clutch doesn't disengage. There various tricks to free it without removing the engine.

[Lotus Guy]

Thanks for the welcome. Will do the brake lines as suggested. The clutch has very little travel and is very heavy, The PO told me this happened after fitting a new clutch that he suspects was not the right specification. After reading the forum last night, the symptoms also indicate it could be the clutch master cylinder, slave cylinder or the hydraulic line. I will check/ repair those first to see before pulling the engine.

[rgh0]

Hi Guy
Welcome to the Forum

cheers
Rohan

[Lotus Guy]

Thanks Rohan,
Expect I will be seeking your advice along the way to bringing the car back to the road - starting with who do you use to recondition brake calipers/master cylinders etc. A 5 speed box sounds like a good upgrade too!

[Mazzini]

Welcome! Nice colour

[gherlt]

... A 5 speed box sounds like a good upgrade too!

It is not. Original Lotus 5 speed gearbox has a heavier throw, a less precise action that the 4 speed.
In my opinion the acoustic cacophony of a DHC makes less rev's rather unnoticable.
Other gear boxes require modifications on the Lotus frame, which I also find rather unconvincing.
And that all apart from prices and necessary work ...
Better spent on other upgrades, less intrusive ones:
Electronic ignition, water pump, +2 front brakes ....

[rgh0]

Thanks Rohan,
Expect I will be seeking your advice along the way to bringing the car back to the road - starting with who do you use to recondition brake calipers/master cylinders etc. A 5 speed box sounds like a good upgrade too!

I have historically use BGT Brake and clutch. They were in Dandenong but looking now on the web they may have moved to Keysborough. I believe they changed ownership recently when Derry retired I think, which may have prompted the relocation. I have got them to sleeve master and slave cylinders a number of times over they years and to get spare seals etc. I normally do the actual overhauls myself though they can do them

cheers
Rohan

[vstibbard]

Great find, I'm sure you will enjoy waking it up and driving it in near future

[Sploder90]

Welcome to the club, great colour scheme.
Keep an eye on the water pump for leaks... Mine had been sat for years & the pump started leaking soon after I got it... Apparently they don't like being sat...
Unfortunately for me lifting the head to swap the pump opened up a bit of a can of worms

[Lotus Guy]

I have historically use BGT Brake and clutch. They were in Dandenong but looking now on the web they may have moved to Keysborough. I believe they changed ownership recently when Derry retired I think, which may have prompted the relocation. I have got them to sleeve master and slave cylinders a number of times over they years and to get spare seals etc. I normally do the actual overhauls myself though they can do them

cheers
Rohan[/quote]
Thanks,
Will be giving the overhaul a go if they don't need resleeving.

[Lotus Guy]

Welcome to the club, great colour scheme.
Keep an eye on the water pump for leaks... Mine had been sat for years & the pump started leaking soon after I got it... Apparently they don't like being sat...
Unfortunately for me lifting the head to swap the pump opened up a bit of a can of worms

Thanks all for advice on the water pump. Fortunately it has electronic ignition already, so one upgrade I don't need to worry about.

[The Veg]

Welcome Guy!

[alan.barker]

Bravo Guy,
I suggest even if the Flywheel looks perfect when you change the Clutch get the Flywheel surfaced
Alan