Chassis change?

[spiderpete]

Hi all

Exactly 50 years old Elite

The original chassis looks very good however the car came with a galvanized chassis as a spare.
This Autumn / Winter I will be getting the mechanics right
List before close inspection

Gearbox - spare box being rebuilt now.
Oil leaks engine find and fix - running great - electronic ignition fit
Replace clutch if worn - not slipping
SW Lotus, Phil, says diff ok but mountings need replacement
Possible rear wheel bearing
All the other bits I find to do!!!!

Phil is suggesting take the body off - easy to then do gearbox and diff stuff.
Engine and box easy to get out and back in
At same time swap the chassis unless proves to be spot on.

Thoughts please

[MetBlue]

Welcome.
How long have you had the car. Do you know it well as a runner. Will it be garage stored once finished ?

I'd be tempted to stay on original chassis if it's sound. If it's lasted 50 years, why not more.

Tony

[spiderpete]

I have had her about 2 years
Bought running and driving
Drove from Tavistock to Castle Coombe for the trackday as spectator
Able to do a couple of laps for the 50years
Had clear track and really enjoyed
Made the 350 miles with no issues

I have refurbished interior
Next is mechanics - this winter
Following year is body and repaint.

My initial was to keep as is, however Phil does know the cars
Apparently inside front turrets and top of chassis to body are the rust points and difficult to see

[MetBlue]

Drove from Tavistock to Castle Coombe for the trackday as spectator

Ahhh. I remember. I think we spoke. Lagoon Blue with Red interior ? I'd got the silk red Excel but also have an M reg Lagoon Blue Elite getting nearer the road slower than a snail.

The worst corrosion is usually the bridge between the rear shocks. Removing the spare wheel can show the problem, but as SW have no doubt said, it's the top that the body sits on that is where it all starts.

Tony

[spiderpete]

Is there someone who has done the 'swap chassis' I can speak to?

[Hawaiis0]

Is there someone who has done the 'swap chassis' I can speak to?

Speak with Pete B he's doing a chassis body off rebuild at the moment

[Pete Boole]

Hi! I'd have the body off even if you end up keeping the original chassis - they can look reasonable from below but have serious corrosion where the special moisture-retaining foam sits between the body and chassis at the back. It will also give you opportunity to tackle the handbrake linkage without dislocating your wrists! Check for cracks in the fibreglass at the rear of the front wheel arches - there can be huge cracks there, but not all cars get affected.

Welcome to the forum BTW!

Pete

[spiderpete]

Thanks for the welcome and information
I understand you lift the body vertically
It does mean that a more thorough refurb is done
Wish me luck and await the silly questions I will be asking.
Pete

[AndrewWebber]

I changed mine on the +2 in 1982, body a bit lighter but much the same job I'd think. The main thing is space ideally for 3 cars, body and both chassis if possible. As has been said, once off everything is so much easier and likely you will cover off more jobs. I don't know if dash has to come out to access some of the body to chassis fixing bolts as it does on the +2 ?

Andy

[Pete Boole]

I don't know if dash has to come out to access some of the body to chassis fixing bolts as it does on the +2 ?

No, it's not necessary on the Elite.

Pete

[spiderpete]

Good point about space.
I think I can do it
Keep body on the lift and roll chassis to other end of garage
Thanks for the info and feedback

[TonyL]

Wish me luck and await the silly questions I will be asking.

I wish you the very best possible luck, & look forward to learning from your questions & the helpful answers the other forum members are sure to provide.

I won't be much help, although one tip I can give is: if you're planning to do a full re-paint yourself, you should rest the body on a chassis when you spray it (apart from the underside, obviously) so it's not flexed out of shape, & if you have gaps in your knowledge, Miles Wilkin's book, How to restore fibreglass bodywork, is a good read (if you don't mind paying £50 for a book that was about £7 when it was in print).

[AndrewWebber]

There is an invoice in my 'paper work / history pack' for the Elite for a (the) chassis change by Fibreglass Services (Miles Wilkins) in 1990, for info, 50 hours labour was charged. The person I bought it from, who owned it then, said it was Miles plus two others 'over a long weekend' with the him pitching in with basic tasks, tea making etc..

Andy

[spiderpete]

Thanks very much to all.
Rest of the summer???? I will be using the car when sunny and dry
I think that is August 12th with maybe showers in the afternoon - does that sound right.
Signing off the thread until late September when I will annoy you all again as the big Mechanics saga starts.

Pete