Bonnet clearance

[alan.barker]

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

[Foxie]

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.

[RichardHawkins]

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

[alan.barker]

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

[alan.barker]

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

[l10tus]

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?

[alan.barker]

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

[l10tus]

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,

[alan.barker]

Thanks for info/ feedback.
Now have 8mm between big valve camcover and bonnet so ok.
Cheers
Alan

[l10tus]

Plenty !

[Hawksfield]

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.

[l10tus]

Good point John!