Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I installed my engine/trans in one piece in a 26R chassis with no problem. Although I have to admit I had the car on a hydraulic two post lift and a large engine lift to angle everything correctly. Good luck!

Got the windows working quite nicely!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhtY5fMAOFs

Their performance was anemic at best when I bought the car, and they would barely raise without being pushed by hand.

Things I did:
-installed rebuilt motors
-cleaned switch contacts
-new terminals on dash loom
-new wires inside doors
-moving parts cleaned and lubed

But none of that really made much difference.

What made a huge difference:
-ran new 12-gauge earth leads directly from the motors to the chassis-bolts behind the dashboard.

Excellent!

Got the engine transmission in, in two separate parts, with son James supervising. I would be willing to take private lessons on the connected install/remove next time anyone is going to do it that way.



John

I notice the tubular brass arrangement on the right of your picture.

Are you planning an innovative air intake system for the carbs?

prepped for LOG39!
this last week, checked oil, coolant, belt tightness (or should I say looseness), Stromberg dash pot oil level, air pressure in tires (and spare), greased U-joint rear (I skipped the front one this time), filled the gas tank, packed tools, checked clutch and brake MC fluid levels,
CHECK!
I'm all set for our 2 day road trip to LOG39 from Philadelphia, PA to Sturbridge MA via....
Woodstock to pay 50 year homage and Catskill Mountains (perfect Lotus roads), overnight stay along the Hudson River. Day 2, off to Wayne Carini's F40 Motorsports shop for a visit and tour (hopefully....Wayne didn't return my email inquiries), then roll into LOG by mid afternoon.
All on back country scenic roads. Joining up with 5 other vintage Lotus along the way.
Taking a normally 5-6 hour trip and extending it over 2 days the very long way around.
Wish us luck!

Sounds like a great trip. That's the way it should be done.

This weekend I removed and stripped my drivers seat to deal with the sagginess. Strip down went well but uncovered further issues with frame damage and very poor repair. I suspect the damage is common but now have to decide how am going to go about repair it. Basic options are:
1) Buy welder, learn to weld and do it myself
2) Do everything but the welding and get a mate to weld (he's 200+ miles away thou)
3) Get local shop to weld it.

Kind of leaning towards 1, as welding is useful life skill!

How about cutting out the previous bodge repair yourself and take it to a local small engineering/fabrication type outfit. Doesn't look the right thing to be practising first time welding on.
Don't know where you are based but surely there must be someone locally who you could approach to weld it up.

alanr wrote:How about cutting out the previous bodge repair yourself and take it to a local small engineering/fabrication type outfit. Doesn't look the right thing to be practising first time welding on.
Don't know where you are based but surely there must be someone locally who you could approach to weld it up.

That is an option and there is at least one place nearly by that does welding. However currently thinking about cutting the failed parts off and fitting two tubes, one the correct size and one smaller diameter that inserts into the original. This is because I have similar failure on both sides so think it would benefit from some re-enforcement but it also give the advantage of easier less stressed weld. Nothing stopping me doing this and taking it to a pro to weld up thou.

Need to take a look when I get home.

mbell wrote:

alanr wrote:How about cutting out the previous bodge repair yourself and take it to a local small engineering/fabrication type outfit. Doesn't look the right thing to be practising first time welding on.
Don't know where you are based but surely there must be someone locally who you could approach to weld it up.

That is an option and there is at least one place nearly by that does welding. However currently thinking about cutting the failed parts off and fitting two tubes, one the correct size and one smaller diameter that inserts into the original. This is because I have similar failure on both sides so think it would benefit from some re-enforcement but it also give the advantage of easier less stressed weld. Nothing stopping me doing this and taking it to a pro to weld up thou.

Need to take a look when I get home.

Sounds as if you'd like an excuse to learn to weld You'd need to spend at least a couple of days/week practising different joints on various thicknesses of metal before attempting the job. Cutting up your practice welds will enable you to see if you're getting the right weld penetration for a strong joint (if you're welding a tube or box section it's difficult to examine the other side).

There's loads of guides on MIG welding on the internet and even a Haynes manual. As far as it not being the right job, I taught myself to weld to get my VW camper through the MOT in time to take it to Glastonbury. This included cutting out and replacing the jacking points, chassis outriggers, steps and repairs to the floor

After a couple of weeks of low activity...

Head away for some remedial work
Bottom end pulled down
Mains and big ends in surprisingly good nick given the state of the cam bearings.. Ring gaps all reasonable. Hatch markings visible in the bores.
New shells and rings ordered up.

Had to drill out one of the gallery plugs...

A bit grungy behind the rear core plug...




Much cleaning to come followed by the grey paint treatment..

draenog wrote:Sounds as if you'd like an excuse to learn to weld

There is certainly some of that, I figure it is a skill I need to learn and just looking for something to force my hand. It is looking like I have to go to specialist metal supplier to get the metal needed so will likely get a quote for them doing while I am there.

Sploder90 wrote:After a couple of weeks of low activity...

Head away for some remedial work
Bottom end pulled down
Mains and big ends in surprisingly good nick given the state of the cam bearings.. Ring gaps all reasonable. Hatch markings visible in the bores.
New shells and rings ordered up.

Had to drill out one of the gallery plugs...

A bit grungy behind the rear core plug...
Much cleaning to come followed by the grey paint treatment..

Just a minute, you only just bought that!

Took delivery of the blue bit.