Bonnet clearance
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Question clearance inside Bonnet to Rad Cap and Cam Cover Big Valve.
What have you boys got to be sure NO STARS in Bonnet surface.
Just lowered the Rad on my Sprint now lots of clearance was about 5mm which i thought was too close.
Front corner of Big Valve cam cover is about 8mm.
Alan
What have you boys got to be sure NO STARS in Bonnet surface.
Just lowered the Rad on my Sprint now lots of clearance was about 5mm which i thought was too close.
Front corner of Big Valve cam cover is about 8mm.
Alan
Alan.b Brittany 1972 elan sprint fhc Lagoon Blue 0460E
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On my +2S, when I fitted the tallblock I drilled the 2 engine mount "wing" holes 10mm lower.
I have a Tony Thompson rad (no filler ) with a Clivey Boy filler on the thermostat housing.
I have a Tony Thompson rad (no filler ) with a Clivey Boy filler on the thermostat housing.
Last edited by Foxie on Sat Feb 24, 2024 11:25 am, edited 1 time in total.
68 Elan +2, 70 Elan +2s
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Foxie - Coveted Fifth Gear
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I have about 3mm clearance between the front of the cam cover and the bonnet, S4 Elan. This bothers me but if I lower the engine or raise the body I have clearance problems with Airbox to pedals.
Richard Hawkins
Richard Hawkins
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Hi Richard,
I think i will put washers under the Nylon Screws in the Bonnet Skids/Slides to gain 2mm .
I've spent too much time repairing gelcoat cracks because of contact with Rad Cap and Cam Cover to have them return.
Alan
I think i will put washers under the Nylon Screws in the Bonnet Skids/Slides to gain 2mm .
I've spent too much time repairing gelcoat cracks because of contact with Rad Cap and Cam Cover to have them return.
Alan
Alan.b Brittany 1972 elan sprint fhc Lagoon Blue 0460E
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Just fitted the nylon screws and i screwed the nuts to just under the head. Then put another nut underneath with washer.
Bonnet height is good with clearance between bonnet and camcover no problem.
Alan
Bonnet height is good with clearance between bonnet and camcover no problem.
Alan
Alan.b Brittany 1972 elan sprint fhc Lagoon Blue 0460E
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If it's the original standard big valve and original chassis and body, there shouldn't be any clearance issues whatsoever.
Some tall block conversions in the plus two needed further work to obtain running clearance, but quite rare on the Elan.
Have things been changed from OEM?
Some tall block conversions in the plus two needed further work to obtain running clearance, but quite rare on the Elan.
Have things been changed from OEM?
Philip.
UK '72 Sprint DHC
Sometimes my Lotus makes me cry.
UK '72 Sprint DHC
Sometimes my Lotus makes me cry.
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l10tus - Third Gear
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A new Chassis was fitted by St Miles many moons ago. I think the Rad was not fitted low enough. When fitting new Chassis clearance always needs checking and Shims used sometimes.
I know someone whose +2S130 has a hump in the Bonnet because of contact where a new Chassis was not fitted correctly.
Lots of Elans have or have had contact between Camcovers Big Valve or Rad Caps.
If you start changing the angle of Engine front to back be sure to keep Diff Flange angle and Gearbox same angle.
Alan
I know someone whose +2S130 has a hump in the Bonnet because of contact where a new Chassis was not fitted correctly.
Lots of Elans have or have had contact between Camcovers Big Valve or Rad Caps.
If you start changing the angle of Engine front to back be sure to keep Diff Flange angle and Gearbox same angle.
Alan
Alan.b Brittany 1972 elan sprint fhc Lagoon Blue 0460E
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Can't understand about the rad not being fitted low enough?
Miles would have fitted it the only way it should and can be fitted. There's no adjustment in the OEM brackets unless further holes were drilled.
As for packing washers, these were only fitted to take up irregularities in the fibreglass underbody to steel frame fit. Not to lift the body to clear the engine!
Loads of "I think that's what it's for?" On forums by people who are guessing (incorrectly)!
Cheers,
Miles would have fitted it the only way it should and can be fitted. There's no adjustment in the OEM brackets unless further holes were drilled.
As for packing washers, these were only fitted to take up irregularities in the fibreglass underbody to steel frame fit. Not to lift the body to clear the engine!
Loads of "I think that's what it's for?" On forums by people who are guessing (incorrectly)!
Cheers,
Philip.
UK '72 Sprint DHC
Sometimes my Lotus makes me cry.
UK '72 Sprint DHC
Sometimes my Lotus makes me cry.
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l10tus - Third Gear
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Thanks for info/ feedback.
Now have 8mm between big valve camcover and bonnet so ok.
Cheers
Alan
Now have 8mm between big valve camcover and bonnet so ok.
Cheers
Alan
Alan.b Brittany 1972 elan sprint fhc Lagoon Blue 0460E
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Plenty !
Philip.
UK '72 Sprint DHC
Sometimes my Lotus makes me cry.
UK '72 Sprint DHC
Sometimes my Lotus makes me cry.
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l10tus - Third Gear
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- Location: Shropshire, United Kingdom.
Hi
Beware if you get a radiator re-cored as mine came back with the cap extension a little higher I did not realize straight away.
Had to drop the rad a little.
John.
Beware if you get a radiator re-cored as mine came back with the cap extension a little higher I did not realize straight away.
Had to drop the rad a little.
John.
John
+2s130 1971
+2s130 1971
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Hawksfield - Fourth Gear
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Good point John!
Philip.
UK '72 Sprint DHC
Sometimes my Lotus makes me cry.
UK '72 Sprint DHC
Sometimes my Lotus makes me cry.
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l10tus - Third Gear
- Posts: 477
- Joined: 10 Apr 2008
- Location: Shropshire, United Kingdom.
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