What did you do to your Lotus today...

[Matt Elan]

Lovely S3 and as for the Elite mmmmmmmmm
Lotus’ best looking car ever and possibly the best looking car ever

[Matt Elan]

Rob you have incoming....

[vstibbard]

Rob, seeing you Elite, prompted me to ask what car the elite differential centre is from and what the normal (if there is one) final drive ratio is?

I've complete differential out of an Elite that raced in Australia, the advice given when I purchased it was that the owner had a number of complete diff's with various ratio's. I bought it with intention of fitting it to a seven with design or IRS rear end based on the Lotus 20/22.

Hope you can help ?

Cheers

Vaughan

[Mazzini]

Rob, seeing you Elite, prompted me to ask what car the elite differential centre is from and what the normal (if there is one) final drive ratio is?

I've complete differential out of an Elite that raced in Australia, the advice given when I purchased it was that the owner had a number of complete diff's with various ratio's. I bought it with intention of fitting it to a seven with design or IRS rear end based on the Lotus 20/22.

Hope you can help ?

Cheers

Vaughan

Hi Vaughan,

The diff is BMC, I think it's from a Minor or a Sprite (or both). BMC offered a variety of ratios. I have a 3.9 with a MK 14 five speed box and an FWB, not original I know, but I hope it'll make the car more usable.

The standard BMC ratios are - 3.72, 3.90, 4.22, 4.55, 4.87, 5.12, 5.37 and a ratio of 3.54 was made for competition use.

Many years ago I had a replica 3-7. I have photos, though I haven't seen them in years, if I can find them I'll post them.

Cheerio,
Rob

[Bombay Racing Green]

As always, nice cars Robin!

Just sitting down with a cup of tea after finally getting the engine/gearbox in and connected up to the prop shaft. It’s a real pain when you’re by yourself. And no, I have no idea what I did differently this time to make it go in!

[persiflage]

Cut a hole for diff/handbrake access (good advice) and started to build new rear wiring harness.
On inspection the old harness was in reasonable condition except the wiring within the boot was found to have become quite stiff, some wires worse than others.

[Mazzini]

As always, nice cars Robin!

Just sitting down with a cup of tea after finally getting the engine/gearbox in and connected up to the prop shaft. It’s a real pain when you’re by yourself. And no, I have no idea what I did differently this time to make it go in!

Kind of you to say so Pete.

As I said before, I've been doing this for thirty-six years and I still don't know what the trick is. And yes, having a second pair of hands is a great help.

[vstibbard]

Thanks Rob,

I'll check around as it maybe simplest way of getting stronger diff into my 7....

Great idea to fit a 5 speed,, I just checked out the MK14 site, they make/supply some nice kit, somewhere in the future I'd like to think I'll manage to buy an Elite, 1460, twin 40's and 5 speed sounds just right for todays traffic and road speeds.

I've never driven or sat in an Elite, and at 6.4+ I hope I fit.

Vaughan

[Mazzini]

Dear V,

I think the Morris Marina/Ital diff fits into the Standard axle, but I could be mistaken. A friend has a S2 7 that has a highly modified Ford axle that has been shortened and the hubs machined to the Lotus/Triumph wheel PCD. The car looks standard, but has a bullet proof axle.

I think you might struggle with an Elite. I'm just under 6ft and I find the seat back too upright, the degree to which it can recline is limited by the bulkhead immediately behind it, but then if you can fit into a S2 7 then anything is possible

I fitted a Mk 14 gearbox kit to a friends Super 95 and it was fairly straight forward. I did learn an important life lesson - on an Elite it's not possible to fit the propshaft after the engine and box are in the car.

Cheerio and stay well,

Rob

[vstibbard]

Sounds like an elite will remain only bucket list... I managed the seven after lots of adjusting of pedal pushrods.

I think you're right, using a modified ford axles is probably the most sensible solution

V

[Matt Elan]

You need to try an Elite - I've ridden in a few last year as research for my next book - (really! I know its a hard life )
I'm 6'5" ish and around 18 stone, but found the elite was actually quite easy to get in and out off, and had plenty of room, and was pretty comfortable when in as well. The trick was that he door opening is quite wide and the 'A' post is angled back, a bit like the Plus 2 so you have plenty of headroom to get in and out if you move your head and back somewhat unintuitively backwards. I could even get out with some dignity. It was a real contrast to the Europa which I had to fold myself in half to get in, and the only way to get out was to fall out sideways and then shuffle back on my bum to get my legs out! I suspect I just won't fit in a Seven and I'd probably get stuck if I tried....

[Mazzini]

Vaughan - a complete Morris Ital axle will probably solve your problems. From memory they are the same dimensions as the original Standard 10 axle and they have the same wheel PCD. Did any Ital's ever make it to Australia?

Matt - fitting in the Elite isn't the problem it's remaining comfortable whilst driving it. I suppose the seating position in an Elan is so good it spoils us for anything else.

I tore around in the S3 this morning. My oil tight engine is no longer oil tight, I have a slight weep from the rear crank seal...I think it's from there, I can't think where else it could be from.

In the afternoon I removed the TTR 26R rad and swirlpot from the Sprint and fitted a Coolex Fatboy. It all seemed to go well but the fan switch on the rad doesn't seem to work, fortunately I have a spare which I'll change tomorrow.

[vstibbard]

Luckily for Aussie's the Ital's did not make it to Australia, TR7's etc did and I think that maybe same axle with different dimensions, I've even been too you can have TR7 drive shafts shortened and reps-line for the Standard ten axle which solves the axle breaking risk, I'd still need to reinforce the axle casing which is original and never been modified.

I have a spare axle out of a standard ten van which is in good condition visually, and may be a good donor for TR7 based conversion.

[nmauduit]

In the afternoon I removed the TTR 26R rad and swirlpot from the Sprint and fitted a Coolex Fatboy. It all seemed to go well but the fan switch on the rad doesn't seem to work, fortunately I have a spare which I'll change tomorrow.

Have you checked the switch in hot water? my similar radiator is so efficient that it does not need the fan very often on regular road driving...

[mwhitaker]

Completed a series of service items for the cooling system, ignition, and fuel systems on my 69 Elan. New radiator hoses, thermostat and coolant overflow following prior radiator refurb. Distributor pulled due to backing out of clamp a few mm with with new bolt applied - clamp is ok for now- new modified one ordered from SJ sportscars as backup for next time when it actually breaks. New plugs, cap, wires, and coil-rotor only 500 miles old.

New carb O-rings and 2/4 new plastic spacers only since the new metal ones I had with integral O-rings are too narrow, allowing mounting studs to foul carb bodies( Weber 45DCOE). Another order from SJ for the metal spacers for next time. New nylon/rubber upper mounts and Thackery washers for the bottom mounts. Carbs balanced and mixture adjusted. Also, new breather from head to airbox instead of the previous skinny nylon piece. Previous fuel pump from SJ with fuel pressure regulator to go with inline filter.

Finally, tightened steering wheel nut, oil change and greased the trunnions- I can't find an oil gun here in the US and Rohan says its ok! Next up weather stripping repair, wash and polish then all will be well for driving. My local club( a great bunch) is preparing for a virtual Spring meet in a week- maybe I will go for a drive instead and catchup with them when we can meet again in person.

Hope everyone enjoys their Lotus time and experience where possible.

Cheers-Mark
69 Elan S4DHC
45/8396