Lotus Elite / Eclat / Excel

Hi Pete. What about Excel headlamp electric motors, the pneumatic Elite system often failed, but quite lighter than electric. Dave the cog. Yep - I'm changing to MX5 electric motors. Easier than the Excel version as the relays are contained within the motor housing. They are nearly finished. I'll h...

These cars will never be quiet but I'm hoping to minimise some engine/transmission NVH in the soundproofing process - hence the bulkhead stuff. The electric motor probably weighs about the same as a mechanical power steering pump and oil reservoir, so no weight saving, but it is nearer the centre of...

It is. It's the first stage - it's a foil-covered self adhesive viscoelastic membrane to damp panel resonance. Next will be a layer of open-cell acoustic foam with a further layer of the viscoelastic membrane to act as a "suspended" barrier layer. It gets complicated and heavy!

Pete

Bit more progress :D. Finished building and installed the electric power steering column over the weekend: https://db5pap001files.storage.live.com/y4mh_jnz6tTRlkMDjjK9BDMXutOGD67egyCCe-tjkQa9L8sIHHqzkYfhF5czKvEqTMfWu7H7Ba6O7Lcz8gOkdZWjiJBP3H91Q0-fx1z--KtbXoMzu03cKGDPV6jx-_wSx0HCSMiXr6XeAJ1n3cfjn8EQl...

I'll bet there's not much in it. Just in case Mike doesn't have anything available!

Pete

If you end up taking it out - fill it full of a citric acid solution for a couple of days - that will get rid of all the rust - then rinse and dry thoroughly. You could then leave as is or treat further.

Pete

There's a whole Elite bodyshell for sale on fleabay at the moment for reasonable money (wish I had more space!).

Pete

I think your guy is just wrong. Maybe he is thinking about the effect of running in new engines with synthetic - definitely a no-no. Modern synthetic oils are renowned for NOT leaving sludge etc.. in an engine - they have detergents to help prevent this. Your engine is probably cleaner inside than m...

I still can't see them - using Chrome.

Pete

I've got a fix for the broken door handle problem - just not done anything about it for 3 years! When you get the handle off put up some photos of the damaged bit so I can see if I can help. The door handle may be fine - the lock barrel has a flange that can break.

Pete

I'm sure you're aware of the plywood inserts at the front - it appears to be missing in the last photo - have you already removed it? If your fibreglass work is anything like your metalwork you'll be fine!

Pete

Not just you - I can't either.

Pete

Great looking collection of cars guys. Looks like you had a good meet-up - I'm envious!

Pete

Don't forget you'll lose coolant if you remove the whole manifold - coolant coming from the head travels through it on the way to the thermostat housing.

Pete

Yep - a trip to Lotusbits may be on the cards. I'm working on lots of bits at once at the moment - so very little progress on any! But - over the next few weeks I think I'll have some more photos to share - maybe!

Pete