For the record (just in case anyone looks at this thread in the future), below picture compares a 70's era door beam to the 80's / 90's Excel with the later latch type. It's a bit approximate, as I had to measure as best i could all hole positions, but it does give the visualisation of the differences.
Blue is the 70's Elite version, red is the later Excel. Holes "B" are the door shell mountings, "L" is the latch mountings
Observations:
[*]The "B" holes are on a different pitch. I
THINK B1 is in the same relative position ( all I know about the Excel B1 position is that it is 6" from B2, hence the indicated radius).
[*]L2 and L3 are too close together to move without first plugging the unused hole
[*]If I enlarge the opening to Excel size, I'll loose the Elite L4 hole for good.
[*]Excel hole L2 is on the same line as the beam, hence there is a relief in the Excel beam behind the hole. L4 was similar, but on my sketch it looks far enough away, so that is probably measuring error.
If you recall, I started this thread wanting to know if I could use a 70's beam on a late Excel.
My initial conclusion:
If these are
ALL the changes needed, i can do it, but it's a lot of work. The second and third bullets above mean that if I later find another reason I can't use it on the Excel, I have a beam unsuitable for any car without going back to the welders
(I still don't know if there are any other changes inside the beam, i.e. window frame mount positions or Door check strap which I do know to be different). Problem made worse because I won't know this until door is stripped out and when I start, I want to know I have the parts to complete.
In summary, I need to see an Excel door beam off a car to decide my way forward.
Is there anyone out there within say 30 miles of Northampton with an Excel door in bits so i can come and compare ? If not, I'll be taking a trip to Lotusbits to see options.
My alternative is to finish the repairs of my Elite door beam and then sell it, using the funds to get an original Excel beam in some condition or other..
Anyone interested in a refurbished N/S Elite / Eclat door beam with good bushes and pin? (Flat sheet removed, shot blast inside and out, new sheet welded in and plan to get powder coated) drop me a PM. Happy to do the same refurb to an Offside door beam I already have if needed as well.
Tony