What did you do to your Lotus today...

[512BB]

'One way that never fails is a large screwdriver. Pierce the filter by using a hammer on the end of the screwdriver. Once it's through both sides you can then use the screwdriver as leverage to spin the filter off.'

Well, if you are going to do it that way, at least let the oil drain out of the filter before bashing through the second hole, or you are going to end up with a messy hand and screwdriver.

My prefered method of removal is as pictured, but if I have to resort to King Dick, I know I did it up to tight. They really dont need to be graunched up.

Leslie

[Andy8421]

Leslie,

Tough to get the King Dick up around a lot of filters. I have a:

https://www.roughtrax4x4.com/toyota-4x4-parts/accessories/tools-equipment/sealey-oil-filter-chain-wrench-ak641.html?utm_medium=Google+Shopping&utm_source=Google&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6M3_yqi-_wIVku3tCh3rEweZEAQYDSABEgKt5vD_BwE

Not bad for a tenner, and you can use it from above or below.

Thanks for the carbs by the way.

Andy.

[ericbushby]

[/attachment]

Hi Andy,
You gave me an idea. I always struggle to loosen the filter, nothing seems to come at it from the right angle and I cannot get two hands in to hold a filter remover metal strap thingy tight enough for it to work.
So, I have had a chain wrench which is not much good for over fifty years and a surplus old socket. It has now been modified as in the photos. I do not have welding gear so it was silver soldered.
I think you can see how it might work.
I will test it for fit next time the car is jacked up but will not need it until the next service in March 2024
Thanks
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

[Kansas Randy2]

Yes, 2 cams 70, I have done the screwdriver trick in the past, but I was hoping for a less Damoclean solution, plus I can't get far enough under the little beast to position a screwdriver and swing a hammer. I have decided to try to guilt my heavy equipment mechanic son-in-law into putting it up on his lift.

He is the same mechanic who grabbed my much-mourned 740i when the dealer mechanics could not find the problem that left me limping home on numerous occasions. After two hours, he called me, " I don't know what you call this thing, but I stuck a screwdriver in it, and it runs just fine now." Throttle-position sensor. (Kansas packrats later reduced the Bimmer to yard art in 24 hours.

He is a very good son-in-law, but he loathes cars that do not bear a GM type badge. I hope he can save me again, (fingers crossed) but he is consumed right now in planting crops and keeping his partner's farm machinery running.

P.S. The part-store sold me a three-pronged device that allegedly would close tight on the filter when activated by a 3/8 wrench, but additions of sand-paper and duct-tape were fruitless. I must seek mechanical succor from the internet.

[Hawksfield]

Hi

My tool to use old timing chain, covers all sizes of filter.

a good use for a noisy chain

[billwill]

Hi

My tool to use old timing chain, covers all sizes of filter.

20230613_chain.jpg

I use a tool similar to that, but it has a fibre strap, not a chain. You take up the slack, winding it around the square socket, before the effort that actually unscrews the filter.

[The Veg]

I have the tool that looks like pliers with long curved jaws at a slight angle to the handles. Has a slip-joint so it fits a wide variety of filter-sizes and works a treat in lots of places. Can be had cheep too. Highly recommended.

[Elanman68]

Drove to Le Mans yesterday, just the morning Croissant run today .

1D6E49D8-668C-4493-8595-784A18C59A2D.jpeg

Made it back from Le Mans, under my own steam on Tue morning as planned (not a guaranteed outcome based on past experience). Got very, very hot in traffic on Fri but no significant lasting issues other than Vacuum T piece on Chassis splitting, causing a vacuum leak and associated rough running and headlamp failure to pop, temp fix with tape got me home ok, T piece now replaced. Every trip such as this builds confidence and generates enthusiasm for finding more jobs to do and reminds me what a joy to drive the car is . Didn't have a passenger (separate vehicles for all) so had a tent I could stand up in, a 14' event shelter, camp cot, chair and all other camping gear for a week + in a 2 seater FHC, oh and a 9 pint pin of Ringwood Brewery's best; I'm quite impressed with that even if no one else is .

[smo17003]

Bought some confetti headlining material because I didn't fancy paying over £200 for a ready made one. Took it to a local seamstress along with the old headliner. Picked up the finished article today - absolutely perfect - £35.

[Lotus fan]

Put a new silencer on my Plus 2 and then took it for an MOT (which it flew through)

[Chris-72sprint]

Put on my sprint gold bumpers (Talbot Aztec Gold) and converted from hammer to wrench on my new revolutions

[gjz30075]

Now THAT'S a breaker bar!

[512BB]

Just a couple of observations Chris. Where do you put your bar when you are out on the road and how come your car has those rear lights?

Leslie

[Andy8421]

Chris,

That is a very smart car.

I know I bang on about it, but at the risk of being a bit pedantic, I do think the Elan looks 100% better with the bottom of the sill painted black. A huge upgrade can be had for a roll of masking tape and a satin black aerosol.

I believe that all Elans left the factory with the bottom of the sill black. Apparently (probably another apocryphal tale) owners of the Elite had complained that with sills that wrapped under the car, they didn't know where to stop washing. The squared off sill on the Elan gave a clear 'stop here' indication.

[Chris-72sprint]

Thanks guys

Leslie - the breaker bar fits in the boot - it’s 1m long but looks bigger in the picture
Regarding the back lights - when I got the car it was in very poor state so modified the front and rear panel for 26r type lights.
The paintwork is now very good but I am considering vinyl wrap the lower body in White to go back to sprint colours

Andy - thanks for your comment about the sill - I will make that change