New Lotus Owner - Elan +2 - Many silly questions inside!
Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2012 12:40 pm
Hello, I'm new here, thought I'd introduce me and my car and ask many many questions!
I'm 24 and have owned a Hillman Imp since I was 17. I sold that a few months ago because my dad offered to give me his 1974 Elan +2. He had owned it for the last 15 years. In that time it has hardly covered any miles and hasn't moved at all in the last 4 years. It has always been left outside uncovered so it is in a bit of a state. The car is fairly wet and mouldy inside, but everything is complete and nothing looks badly corroded or salvageable.
I have never driven this car as it has never been working since I've been able to drive. I remember how it use to smell and sound as a kid and used to love the interior. The rear seats were great for us as kids to sit in the back with a great view out the front due to the lack of headrests.
When the car was last running the 4 speed gearbox and drive chain was working fine so fingers crossed they should still be fine.
When my dad purchased it the chassis was a new replacement Spyder chassis so this is still in relatively good condition. The body has a few small cracks but overall seams to be very solid. The paintwork is very poor with large areas of paint flaking.
The car still has the original 1600cc Lotus Twin Cam engine with the big valve head. I know this has had a unleaded conversion and was running when last used but with a very bad fueling problem from one of the twin Webber 40's.
This project is probably going to be quite slow as I am not very good at quick car repairs! I want to get it running and mot'd first, I don't really care what it looks like, I just want to drive it. Sorting out the bodywork is last on the list. First thing to do is get the car rolling and stopping. The steering moves fine, feels smooth and doesn't knock. The suspension seams ok although its very soft! The main first problem is the brakes. So far I have removed the pedal box and the clutch and brake master cylinders are both solid. The clutch master was full of crystallised brake fluid! I think new ones are probably a safer bet than trying to refub these. Time for the first of many questions:
1. What size master cylinder for the brakes? Its got the original +2 brakes and I plan to remove the brake servo. Am I right in thinking the original is 0.7 but a 0.625 will give better brake feel with no servo but with a bit more brake travel?
2. What size master cylinder for the clutch?
3. Knock on wheels!! What are these things of mystery?? I haven't removed the wheels at all yet. I have a lead hammer and heard its best to put the lead hammer on the spinner then hit the hammer with a lump hammer, is that right? Do all 4 wheel undo anti-clockwise? How tight should they be done back up?
4. Any suggestions on tyres and size for the original steelies?
Thanks for the help
Chris
I'm 24 and have owned a Hillman Imp since I was 17. I sold that a few months ago because my dad offered to give me his 1974 Elan +2. He had owned it for the last 15 years. In that time it has hardly covered any miles and hasn't moved at all in the last 4 years. It has always been left outside uncovered so it is in a bit of a state. The car is fairly wet and mouldy inside, but everything is complete and nothing looks badly corroded or salvageable.
I have never driven this car as it has never been working since I've been able to drive. I remember how it use to smell and sound as a kid and used to love the interior. The rear seats were great for us as kids to sit in the back with a great view out the front due to the lack of headrests.
When the car was last running the 4 speed gearbox and drive chain was working fine so fingers crossed they should still be fine.
When my dad purchased it the chassis was a new replacement Spyder chassis so this is still in relatively good condition. The body has a few small cracks but overall seams to be very solid. The paintwork is very poor with large areas of paint flaking.
The car still has the original 1600cc Lotus Twin Cam engine with the big valve head. I know this has had a unleaded conversion and was running when last used but with a very bad fueling problem from one of the twin Webber 40's.
This project is probably going to be quite slow as I am not very good at quick car repairs! I want to get it running and mot'd first, I don't really care what it looks like, I just want to drive it. Sorting out the bodywork is last on the list. First thing to do is get the car rolling and stopping. The steering moves fine, feels smooth and doesn't knock. The suspension seams ok although its very soft! The main first problem is the brakes. So far I have removed the pedal box and the clutch and brake master cylinders are both solid. The clutch master was full of crystallised brake fluid! I think new ones are probably a safer bet than trying to refub these. Time for the first of many questions:
1. What size master cylinder for the brakes? Its got the original +2 brakes and I plan to remove the brake servo. Am I right in thinking the original is 0.7 but a 0.625 will give better brake feel with no servo but with a bit more brake travel?
2. What size master cylinder for the clutch?
3. Knock on wheels!! What are these things of mystery?? I haven't removed the wheels at all yet. I have a lead hammer and heard its best to put the lead hammer on the spinner then hit the hammer with a lump hammer, is that right? Do all 4 wheel undo anti-clockwise? How tight should they be done back up?
4. Any suggestions on tyres and size for the original steelies?
Thanks for the help
Chris