End of life for TC ?

[Elanintheforest]

Block off the booster take off and put a brake pipe to bypass the booster...it will need rebuilding. As Matthew says, try blocking off the headlamp takeoff as well just to see if that has any effect.
If you're on a roll, get it really hot and take it for a hard run...an Italian tune-up This will clear any unburnt deposits left. If it's still giving out black smoke, then the next suspect has to be the carburettors. Maybe someone fiddled with them when the engine started misbehaving due to the vacuum leak? If they're not balanced properly, they could certainly be running very rich, which could account for the black smoke.

Actually, I'd check the carbs for balance before taking it out for a thrash....too lean and you could burn a valve.

Set them up as per the manual...it really is very easy.
Mark

[b-havers]

When all the plugs were out, I did three comp tests.
I'll try to make a table here; first column indicates plug number, the three other columns indicate test numbers:

1: 10 10,5 10,5
2: 11 10,5 11
3: 11,5 12 12
4: 11,5 11,75 11,75

How are this comp figures?
They are all within 1,5, and also witthin 15% of each other.
But; are the figures 'good', or should the comp been higher?
I'm running on twin double Webers.

[rgh0]

The manual specifies compression pressures in excess of 11.25 kg/sqcm and each cylinder within 1.40 kg/sqcm of each other.

From your data No1 looks a little low but if not fouling the No1 spark plug with oil I would not consider its bad enough to warrant a total rebuild yet.

Worthwhile doing a leak down test if possible also. The test is done using compressed air through a small orifice to pressure up each cylinder in turn through the spark plug hole with the cylinder postioned on the compression stroke with the valves closed. The leakage rate is monitored by measuring the pressure drop over the orifice and by listening to where the leakage noise comes from you can tell if a cylinder has a problem with leakage from a particualr valve or the piston rings. Most engine rebuild places have the equipment to do the test or you can buy a kit from most specialist automotive tool suppliers to hook up to an air compressor.

If a leak down test revealed a leaking exhaust valve in No1 cylinder then I would consider pulling the head for a valve job as exhaust valve leaks normally get worse fairly quickly as the leaking hot gases erode the valve or valve seat sealing area.

cheers
Rohan

[b-havers]

Thanks for the answer.
I'll see what I can to with the air-leak test.

Having driven the car - hard - for a few days, the smoking has decreased, now it is the 'normal' smokepufs from a leaking valve or something. Guess it doesn't matter for the MOT.
Right now I am more concerned about the oil leak from a broken gasket somewhere at the rear part of the engine..

But; it's not much; the oil-level hasn't been reduced the latest week, and I have been driving the car every day

The brake fluid is still disappearing, so I guess the caliper will have to come off for an overhaul during the winter. For now I'm driving and enjoying this great car

[1964 S1]

I suggest you keep driving it, sounds like you're cleaning the carbon out. So many people on this website drive their cars once every few months and expect them to perform like a Camry. It's not going to happen. How many different types of metal components are exposed to air in these forty five year old Lotus engines? Oil coating is sometimes a good thing.

[b-havers]

How many different types of metal components are exposed to air in these forty five year old Lotus engines? Oil coating is sometimes a good thing.

I agree. Oil is very good - for a metal car.
To a plastic car like ours, oil can damage the fibreglass, and at least make it very exposed to fire...

On my car there is very little oil coating, the oil is dripping from the rear end of the engine when standing still. Though; it looks like a lot of oil has been dripping/running along the driveshaft...


BTW,
to expand my experience with fibreglass; yesterday I bought a Matra Murena 2.2