1965 Seven S2

[SENC]

Great picture Vaughn, you should be proud indeed!

[StressCraxx]

Where's the 'Like" button?

The Force is strong with this one....
You must be a proud Dad. I have a similar photo of my sons helping me pull the motor in my 67 Elan. The older son now has a 62 Super Seven. The video can be seen on Petrolicious if you search "Add Lightness".

Best regards,
Dan Wise

[vstibbard]

I'm very proud, just checked out your sons petrolicious video, very nice condition, I hope my son is enjoying ours when he's driving, the roads looks awesome, where was it filmed?
V

[SENC]

A cleanup, new brushes, new bearings, and new pinion later its back together. Tested fine on the bench, we'll see what next week brings after I get it back on the car.

[SENC]

Starter worked just as expected, so back on the road and ready to do some more testing and tweaking on the carburetors. Installed a new tonneau cover from Redline today, looking more and more like it did in 1966...

[The Veg]

Beautiful!

[StressCraxx]

I'm very proud, just checked out your sons petrolicious video, very nice condition, I hope my son is enjoying ours when he's driving, the roads looks awesome, where was it filmed?
V

My apologies for not replying sooner. Roads are near the south end of the California's San Francisco Bay, in the coastal hills near Saratoga and Highway 9.

[vstibbard]

the Seven is looking good, I like the detail on the tonneau. I still have the side screens, hood and tonneau that came with our seven when new

[SENC]

Took my Seven out for its first drive of any length, a shakedown drive on the suspension and carb work - a little over 80 miles and a couple hours of smiles. Also took the opportunity to experiment with a GoPro - next time think I'll mount higher and a bit forward. The video is a 7-8 mile stretch in the middle of my drive (I need to learn how to cut/trim). We don't have much in the way of "twisties" in ths part of the world, but this little piece of road had been recommended to me (and to a couple of motorcyles I came up on at the start). A fun little jaunt.


https://youtu.be/VKpDeOQx0KM

[SENC]

I've managed another hundred miles or so of driving and testing, and beginning to develop a winter work plan. Overall it really seems in good shape and solid, and as I get it increasingly in tune it just gets more fun.

The biggest worry, as with all of these, is the rear axle. It was clearly cracking and repaired at some point, as evidenced by the brazing on it, and it does leak just a bit. It is also apparent that it is either a replacement or that the gearing was changed. Cheshunt records indicate a 4.11 ratio, but this T10 axle seems to have the earlier 4.5 ratio based on my rpm/mph calculations. This also explains why the speedometer seems to read a bit fast relative to GPS speed. Perhaps the car has even fewer actual miles than I thought! I've contacted the guru for these axles and am getting some guidance on options, but it will come out this winter for some service at a minimum.

I'm also planning to pull the engine and gearbox primarily for inspection and to do any necessary maintenance, but based on how it runs I'm optimistic that will be routine stuff.

I renewed most of the suspension in getting it safe for the road, with exception of the shocks and coils. As noted previously, the fronts are installed inverted and one is periodically noisy so I suspect they are needing attention. I'm currently searching for folks who rebuild old Armstrong, but not finding them as easily as I did Koni rebuilders.

But first, hoping for a few more weeks of good weather!

[vstibbard]

Sounds same as our S2, it was sprinted in the mid 60's and has a 4.55 fitted, cracks repaired but still weeping. I understand there's a guru in US that uses Spitfire/GT6 centres of which the range of ratio's is quite good and Tr7 axles as the axles are a know weak point.

I want to keep ours as original as possible but reliable, so I managed to source a complete axle from a Standard 10 saloon which is in good order, it will have the strengthening plate across the rear, longer ratio with modified a frame pick up to use a uniball to take the loads off the axle casing, I'm fortunate as the car came with a spare A frame with the car that will be modified.

I wish the US guru was local as he's got the knowledge, the costs quote here are significant as it all one off, the axles guys here prefer to make their own floating axles, want to add some camber etc....

Cheers

V

[prezoom]

I used 4.11 gears in my S2, with a TR10 axle. It was equipped with GT6 side gear in the diff, along with a Detroit Locker. Stock axles were impossible, as they broke at every opportunity. The GT6 side gears will accept slightly larger diameter splines, which were the weak point. Wound up having to truss the axle housing, as it kept cracking down the center.

[vstibbard]

I think its the GT6 centre that's required to allow use of shortened TR7 axles. Id be interested in knowing costs of the TR7 axles if thats the route you go down.

Many change out for the heavier Ford axles, stronger, easy to obtain and ratio choice.

[Craven]

I’m pretty sure you guys will know that Lotus changed to the Ford Escort axle during the series 2 production, known by some as the series 2 1/2. You do then have the problem of wheel stud PDC.

[SENC]

Discussing all of these options.

My basic instinct is that Lotus, Sevens in particular, were modifiable kits from the get-go and nearly all have been "improved" over the years - so do whatever is an improvement but consistent with Lotus philosophy.

As this car is proving to be pretty true to its 60s form, I'm finding myself taking a more conservative approach.

If I thought this was the original axle/diff, I'd be heavily swayed towards simply rebuilding and restrengthening - and may, yet. But realizing the axle has been modified or replaced has me considering better options for longevity and use.

My priority is a car I'm confident driving and pushing as intended. I'm sensitive to not overtweaking a largely unmolested car, but it is a Seven!