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Re: hello to all, looking for an excel in the next few weeks
Posted: Wed May 11, 2016 18:35
by alanbell
stick to post 86, ie 87 onwards , some people have taken the body off to fix the cracks in the body properly as you can only get to one side of them with the body on, cracks is perhaps the wrong word, they are fatigue breaks in the fibre glass caused be the horizontal bolts loosening and the ensuing free movement of body and chassis. eventually they can be detected by "banging noises" from the back of the car when bumps in the road are crossed. if you search this forum there are a few threads on this subject with pictures. old army saying "time spent on recce is never wasted"
Re: hello to all, looking for an excel in the next few weeks
Posted: Wed May 11, 2016 18:56
by les dawson
Hi,
Saw the blue se that just sold, that looked good,
Couldent bid quite yet!
The silver project currently at £1500 also looks good ,
The others are going for quite a bit more Tha I wanted to
Spend on the car- assuming ill spend quite a bit once
I have it!!
Les
Re: hello to all, looking for an excel in the next few weeks
Posted: Wed May 11, 2016 18:58
by les dawson
I saw the thread about the 1991 crashed one,
I take you guys don't think that one is a good idea?
On the face of it that one looks like a good project
Les
Re: hello to all, looking for an excel in the next few weeks
Posted: Wed May 11, 2016 19:09
by fueltheburn
50 foot barge pole on the celebration comes to mind. If the guy hadn't been so greedy and taken it for £1000 then readvertise it 2 days later for £3000 without stating its actually a write... it MAY have been viable for somebody. Parts car in my opinion.
Despite the problems with the earlier cars I have a bias towards the 1st generation narrow bodies.
This one sold last year, has just had a fresh mot and is back on sale
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/83-Lotus-Eclat- ... nav=SEARCH
Re: hello to all, looking for an excel in the next few weeks
Posted: Wed May 11, 2016 19:48
by Lotus-e-Clan
fueltheburn wrote:50 foot barge pole on the celebration comes to mind. If the guy hadn't been so greedy and taken it for £1000 then readvertise it 2 days later for £3000 without stating its actually a write... it MAY have been viable for somebody. Parts car in my opinion.
Despite the problems with the earlier cars I have a bias towards the 1st generation narrow bodies.
This one sold last year, has just had a fresh mot and is back on sale
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/83-Lotus-Eclat- ... nav=SEARCH
Maybe best to be living near Basildon so you can preview armed with a compression tester before auction ends ...
Open ram tubes on a dusty road and it'll be due a re-liner and new rings -job.
Better safe than sorry unless you expected to do a full engine restoration as part of your project.
Re: hello to all, looking for an excel in the next few weeks
Posted: Wed May 11, 2016 20:07
by fueltheburn
Open rams are cringeworthy. I never understand why people do that? If you want the sound ... go with pancake filters
Re: hello to all, looking for an excel in the next few weeks
Posted: Thu May 12, 2016 01:06
by les dawson
Agreed on that one- potential serious problems
When you look closely!!
Re: hello to all, looking for an excel in the next few weeks
Posted: Thu May 12, 2016 19:45
by CHRISYD
fueltheburn wrote:Open rams are cringeworthy. I never understand why people do that? If you want the sound ... go with pancake filters
ive got foam ram air filters. they just push onto the trumpets. look good, sound even better!
Re: hello to all, looking for an excel in the next few weeks
Posted: Fri May 13, 2016 08:33
by les dawson
Very interesting info about the body bolts loosening,
Depending on the project, I guessed I would have to
Remove the chassis and do some work on it.
Is it possible to build up the chassis with all
The running gear and engine/gearbox , then drop the
Body back on? Or does the engine have to go in from the top
With the chassis already bolted back in?
Les
Re: hello to all, looking for an excel in the next few weeks
Posted: Fri May 13, 2016 14:15
by Hawaiis0
Re: hello to all, looking for an excel in the next few weeks
Posted: Sat May 14, 2016 16:39
by les dawson
Ok.....good thread, so engine and box in after you
Re attach the body!!!
Huge work, still cant wait to find a project and get
Stuck in!
Re: hello to all, looking for an excel in the next few weeks
Posted: Sat May 14, 2016 19:05
by Hawaiis0
les dawson wrote:Ok.....good thread, so engine and box in after you
Re attach the body!!!
Huge work, still cant wait to find a project and get
Stuck in!
Before you get your project, you will need a daily runner to accompany it. This removes all the frustration of not being able to drive the projrct
Re: hello to all, looking for an excel in the next few weeks
Posted: Sat May 14, 2016 20:38
by MrCoolA
fueltheburn wrote:Open rams are cringeworthy. I never understand why people do that? If you want the sound ... go with pancake filters
The exact same feeling I have about mats on the drivers side and the common view that a rev limiter will prevent any issues.
Re: hello to all, looking for an excel in the next few weeks
Posted: Sun May 15, 2016 08:32
by Lotus-e-Clan
I'm pretty sure you can (just like in the factory) fit the engine + box to the chassis, THEN drop on the body IF you can lift the body high enough.to clear the cambox / carbs.
les dawson wrote:Ok.....good thread, so engine and box in after you
Re attach the body!!!
Huge work, still cant wait to find a project and get
Stuck in!
Re: hello to all, looking for an excel in the next few weeks
Posted: Sun May 15, 2016 08:44
by jeff.fenton
I built the chassis fully and dropped the body on, leave the engine mounts unbolted, you'll need to swing the engine to the right for the cam covers to clear, its tight but will go. Goodluck, Jeff.