The Lotus Grand Tourers

Im guessing fuel tank breather. i also used rubber tubing and replaced whole lot.

Correct guess.

access is tight

- You'e not kidding
I can barely feel it, let alone see it. How on earth did you take that photo?

My breather is completely broken up from somewhere behind the side wall carpet. Strange thing is it looks like it was never long enough and always left any fumes in the boot rather than routing outside.

Thanks for the advise about braided, but I have some suitable pipe and for now I'll just hook into the last good area and extend to the outside world.
Will be a vast improvement and if the smell returns I'll do the full job next time, when I have more enthusiasm for fitting things to places the sun doesn't shine and can't be reached
Tony.

Give the jubilees around the main filler-to-tank pipe a tweak too.

Replaced my breather but smell was still there to a lesser degree. Checked the jubilees and surprisingly found a few turns on all.

Nothing at all now other than that 'old fibreglass car' smell

Andy

MetBlue wrote: ↑

Sun Jun 28, 2020 16:09

... for now I'll just hook into the last good area and extend to the outside world...

I did that. And each day I went a little further up the tube as each re-connect broke so I needed another. bite the bullet and go straight to the neck.

Regarding the photo access, I was lying in the trunk legs dangling outside - really quite easy

As you roll over your legs flop over the tail of the car and their weight naturally pivots you out.

Hawaiis0 wrote: ↑

Sun Jun 28, 2020 17:35

MetBlue wrote: ↑

Sun Jun 28, 2020 16:09

... for now I'll just hook into the last good area and extend to the outside world...

I did that. And each day I went a little further up the tube as each re-connect broke so I needed another. bite the bullet and go straight to the neck.

Regarding the photo access, I was lying in the trunk legs dangling outside - really quite easy

As you roll over your legs flop over the tail of the car and their weight naturally pivots you out.

unless your really heavy and the slam panel splits apart!

Your making clutch adjustment sound easy by comparison.
Sounds like both jobs are done more by feel and a prayer than actually seeing what you are doing.

A bit late and you have probably done the job now but there are some pictures here that might help anyone replacing their breather pipe

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=5020&p=33787&hilit= ... her#p33787

Both front wheels off today. Mainly to see what condition stuff behind is in.
Pads and disks all good, but fear the MOT man will take an interest in the Offside brake pipes . Pretty corroded. Will be waiting to see though, it's fine for now.

I've been getting a vibration around 60 / 65 MPH and was thinking wheels needed balancing, but with car jacked up, could feel excessive rocking from O/S wheel bearings. End float measured 3 times the spec in the manual. Tightened up to spec, and after a short test drive, things are a lot better.

Test drive was also connected with some cooling issues, but covering that on separate thread.

Bonnet removed to get better access to fans for checking. Was pleased that could just reach the fasteners for the front nose badge with the bonnet off, so that is also now removed as I've got some lacquer peal corrective actions underway at the front. Bobbin for the hinge was broken into 3 parts on one side, but fortunately had a spare so was able to replace. Also rubbed down and repainted the steel tube across the bonnet leading edge which was looking very much the worse for wear. Looking a lot better now.

Pretty productive and satisfying day, but a little concerned about the cooling issues.

Tony

Might be worth backflushing the radiator and checking that the fans come on at the right temp. Im running a V8 on the standard radiator and it doesnt overheat even in 30degree temps. When I had the Lotus engine in it didnt overheat once in 20 years of regular use so Im sure yours shouldnt be difficult to sort.
Bash

Paint Work ; Not a strong point on my car with the most serious attack of Lacquer peel ever witnessed by man :




At least when it's that bad you know it's impossible to make worse, so can just dive in and attack ....

So what can you get for £15 worth of Base and clear ( 1 rattle can of each), 2 sheets each of 400, 800 and 2500 Wet 'n' dry, a little T cut and some polish.

... Oh yes... and a VERY large dose of Elbow grease...






And even the apparent marks the photo's show are actually reflections of the surroundings. To say I'm please would be an understatement.
Real test will be what it looks like in a few months time when everything is settled and stable. We all know how paint behaves as it dries out fully and reveals all sorts of sub surface issues, but at least I know that it can only be better than I started with.

So that's one wing done. lots more to do. Now seriously considering investment in a DA sander / polisher. Any experience / recommendations?
Tony

Great job Tony. Looks v. shiny! I use a rotary sander/polisher that I bought from "Clean Your Car" - model EP801 - it's been faultless - and it's been really used!

Pete

Fantastic job Tony

Did the same with my bumpers and sills that had been painted silver

I was surprised how good a finish was possible with base and clear rattle cans but then mine is solid red so possibly easier. The key is patience. It's holding up really well after 6 months.

I'm really impressed with what you have achieved with metallic - a job well done!

Andy

Brilliant work Tony! And as always thanks for sharing with us lesser mortals.

Cheers, Richard

Great job, Tony!

Did you get the can of base coat made up or was it off the shelf?

That’s looking much better - good job.