Gear knob

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Mauro200
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Gear knob

Post by Mauro200 »

Good morning everyone, I go back to ask a favor regarding the restoration of my Excel. To be precise to an Excel 82-85 owner. I would like to have a carpenter rebuild the wooden gear knob but since there was no in the machine I would like to know the diameter of that knob and if possible some photos up close. Thanks to those who can help me.

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bash
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Re: Gear knob

Post by bash »

Mine is 56mm high and 42mm at its widest point. I think its a generic one for an Elan or Cortina. Its just got a rubber bung inside for screwing it onto the end of the gearlever, although I have cut my gearlever down a bit to reduce the height.
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Mauro200
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Re: Gear knob

Post by Mauro200 »

Thanks but that's not it. Excel is spherical.

tezzan
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Re: Gear knob

Post by tezzan »

Hi
I've got a 1984 Excel with the orignal wooden gear knob, part number is A089F0411F I think.

It's approx 45-46mm in diameter and looks like this:

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and yes I know the gear pattern logo is wonky.....I keep meaning to do that!

ianhateswork
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Re: Gear knob

Post by ianhateswork »

Or you can make one that fits your hand out of an old door knob and make it any length you want.
I thank bash for showing me the way here. Rubber gaiter is mga and the mod loses 400g

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Mauro200
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Re: Gear knob

Post by Mauro200 »

tezzan wrote:
Thu May 07, 2020 16:59
Hi
I've got a 1984 Excel with the orignal wooden gear knob, part number is A089F0411F I think.

It's approx 45-46mm in diameter and looks like this:

Image Image

Image Image

Image Image

and yes I know the gear pattern logo is wonky.....I keep meaning to do that!
Is This Thanks

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bash
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Re: Gear knob

Post by bash »

Thats an elan 5 speed gearknob also fitted to 5 speed elites and eclats.
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tezzan
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Re: Gear knob

Post by tezzan »

I can quite believe it Bash - not sure how much redesigning Lotus really needed to do for a gear knob. The same one, or at least it looks the same, is also fitted to some of the S2 & S3 Esprit's as well. Different part numbers though - maybe a different thread?

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bash
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Re: Gear knob

Post by bash »

They pull good money when they appear for sale.
Bash
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tezzan
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Re: Gear knob

Post by tezzan »

OK at this point I am going to resist the desire to make jokes about the high value of my knob :roll:

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Mauro200
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Re: Gear knob

Post by Mauro200 »

Sorry, can you tell me why 0/D is written instead of 5? Thanks, I will try to have it made by a carpenter and the part with the numbers with the 3D printer. We will see the success.

tezzan
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Re: Gear knob

Post by tezzan »

Mauro200 wrote:
Fri May 08, 2020 17:46
Sorry, can you tell me why 0/D is written instead of 5? Thanks, I will try to have it made by a carpenter and the part with the numbers with the 3D printer. We will see the success.
I will explain the answer as far as I know it, but if anybody on forum knows better, please jump in and add comments.

The O/D stands for "OverDrive". On older cars it was possible to buy a car with an overdrive unit (normally placed behind the gearbox) that would "over drive" the gearing of the car. These days (or at least the 1970/80s) when Lotus fitted the gear knobs, it would just refer to top gear, ie fifth gear.

To be honest, by the 80s, when my car (and yours) had this knob fitted, I don't know why they didn't just write "5" instead of O/D. Possibly Lotus just bought too many gear knobs in the 70's and needed to use them up.

In brief: It just means top gear.

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Re: Gear knob

Post by CHRISYD »

tezzan wrote:
Fri May 08, 2020 15:46
OK at this point I am going to resist the desire to make jokes about the high value of my knob :roll:
I think its safe to do so now! :wink:
I REALISED YOU CANT LIVE WITHOUT A LOTUS!!! Until now :oops:

Pete Boole
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Re: Gear knob

Post by Pete Boole »

CHRISYD wrote:
Fri May 08, 2020 19:02
tezzan wrote:
Fri May 08, 2020 15:46
OK at this point I am going to resist the desire to make jokes about the high value of my knob :roll:
I think its safe to do so now! :wink:
He's still lurking.

Pete

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Re: Gear knob

Post by Lotus-e-Clan »

The O/D is sill relevant for all Excel gearboxes (and Elite) if you think about it.

4th gear is 1:1 direct drive (gearbox output revs equals engine input revs) and this is the gear you should use if you want to satisfactory acceleration at high speeds.

5th gear is over-driven - engine input revs are about 0.8 (I forget the exact ratio but it is less than 1:1) to every 1 gearbox output rev so the car is less responsive in this gear.

Having learned from my Clan 4 speed driving experience (100mph in 4th = 8250 rpm and I still get 45 mpg!) I tend to leave the Excel in 4th on winding country roads - the economy hit is insignificant and the driving pleasure is enhanced. I use 5th for steady cruise only (motorways plus wide and straight A roads), changing down to 4th to blow off the occasional Beemer (or moggie minor) that fancies itself. :twisted:
Peter K

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