Lotus Elan Central

by **Paul.P** » Sun 22.04.2007, 22:03

Dave wrote:I think the end tanks are Peugeot so we can't blame GM this time!

If there Peugeot they will be crap, i will never have another one :!:

by **Doug** » Mon 23.04.2007, 04:34

now-adays I bet if you measured it up you could find a ready replacement for not too much from a radiator shop and then just figure out a way to make it attach well

radiators are not rocket science . . .

by **Monty** » Wed 25.04.2007, 13:56

Picked up Rad from Oldham radiators today, just like a new one :-D

£108 + vat 12 months guarantee. Also painted up the support frame, hopefully i`ll get it fitted today.

by **Benmac** » Wed 25.04.2007, 16:06

Looks great mate. I may add getting that done to my list.

by **Enright** » Wed 25.04.2007, 20:47

Oh, that DOES look good. I may have a bash also.

Sorry if this seems like a daft question, but is it possible to remove the rad support frame while still leaving the rad in place? I know my frame is probably just as bad as yours under there, and I'd like to sort it out without disturbing all the pipework if possible.

But then, apparently the fan shrouds usually go the same way so I might need to get them out at the same time. What do you reckon?

by **Dico** » Wed 25.04.2007, 21:04

Rad should stay in place. Two rubber bungs should hold it there.
Don't forget the towing eye.
If you are intending on keeping your Elan then I suggest you do it.
Mine had only covered 40,000 miles but was still showing signs of the old tinworm

http://lotuselancentral.com/forum/download.php?id=1059

by **jimbob** » Wed 25.04.2007, 22:44

Just in case anyones interested the elan M100 radiator was made by valeo for lotus, valeo are a huge company who make a whole range of parts for lots of different car manufacturers from headlamps to power steering pumps incedntially G.M. use valeo for quite a lot of their car components up to the present day!

by **Doc Fizzix** » Thu 26.04.2007, 03:41

I am sorry, I must apologize for this stupid question, my mind is turing and the physicist in me is now coming out and that is never a good thing, it always gets me in trouble,

-- why the paint? Better cooling without the paint acting as an insulator, right?

by **Paul.P** » Thu 26.04.2007, 07:21

jimbob wrote:Just in case anyones interested the Elan M100 radiator was made by valeo for lotus, valeo are a huge company who make a whole range of parts for lots of different car manufacturers from headlamps to power steering pumps incedntially G.M. use valeo for quite a lot of their car components up to the present day!

Valeo was printed on the headlamp unit as well !

by **muley** » Thu 26.04.2007, 12:02

Enright13 wrote:Oh, that DOES look good. I may have a bash also.

is it possible to remove the rad support frame while still leaving the rad in place? I'd like to sort it out without disturbing all the pipework if possible.

But then, apparently the fan shrouds usually go the same way so I might need to get them out at the same time. What do you reckon?

Neil,

Yes, you can drop the frame leaving the rad in place. But, although theoretically the rad could be held up by spigots(?) on the upper pins operating in the upper rubber bushes - in practise it might want to fall down...

However, you can hold the rad up more or less with place - with hoses attached - by putting tie wraps round the lower pins and up to the inverted y yokes above. I do this anyway when replacing a rad.

To drop the frame you have to undo the lower fan shroud nuts - then you can leave the fans in place.

In my opinion, it's a chore removing the sundry (small) nuts and bolts to get the support off, so while you're there you might as well replace the hoses and get the fan shrouds out to be sandblasted and powdercoated - or replaced.

Here's one I did earlier (with Stevies' help)

Cheers

Jim

by **Monty** » Thu 26.04.2007, 16:47

Doc Fizzix wrote:I am sorry, I must apologize for this stupid question, my mind is turing and the physicist in me is now coming out and that is never a good thing, it always gets me in trouble,

-- why the paint? Better cooling without the paint acting as an insulator, right?

Doc, don`t know about that one

Just the way i got it back from the rad place.

Jim,
Has u`r rad got alloy end tanks? just that the tanks look different to mine. What was the cost of the radiator?

by **muley** » Thu 26.04.2007, 16:50

Monty,

Firstly, apologies for the thread hijack ...

The radiator is an all aluminium fabricated one based on a non-Elan core. It's slightly thicker than standard. It cost northwards of £300.

All being well, I'll be installing it in the black Elan next week.

Cheers

Jim

by **Doc Fizzix** » Thu 26.04.2007, 21:05

muley wrote:The radiator is an all aluminium fabricated one based on a non-Elan core. It's slightly thicker than standard. It cost northwards of £300.

Did you get yours from the States? Here is the one I had made, all aluminium.

by **GeoffSmith** » Thu 26.04.2007, 21:09

:drool:

How much Al (if you don't mind me asking).

Geoff

by **DeeAitch** » Thu 26.04.2007, 22:30

Monty, mine came back painted as well. I suspect your new core came from the same place (up in Glasgow IIRC) and is copper, not Aluminium
(IMHO they use copper as it is much easier for the lazy tw@s) Probably not as efficient but I've had no problems so far.
Those Ali end tanks do look good - must get mine done next time I'm in Wales :roll:

by **ailwyn** » Thu 26.04.2007, 23:54

Dave wrote:must get mine done next time I'm in Wales

North or South?

by **Doc Fizzix** » Fri 27.04.2007, 01:57

geoffsmith wrote::drool:

How much Al (if you don't mind me asking).

Geoff

I paid right at $600.00 US

by **Monty** » Sun 29.04.2007, 16:00

Went for a spin yesterday down to Chris Neils (Dealer) and Demon Tweaks (there shop is KaK and wouldn`t go again) with Dico as a passenger to get Pinky over the 500 miles, so today i checked the head bolts 78Nm`s and guest what they were fine with no movement so it got to be down to Kmckmc`s gasket that i had the failure :twisted:

So i would recomend to stick with the Lotus/Isuzu gasket or at least re-check the head bolts after 500 miles.

by **DeeAitch** » Sun 29.04.2007, 17:43

South, but trips are getting very rare due to bluddy VC's :evil:

Llanelli for work and my Brother lives in Monmouth.

ailwyn wrote:
Dave wrote:must get mine done next time I'm in Wales

North or South?

by **Monty** » Wed 02.05.2007, 14:30

Engine bay back to normal and fitted the new top cambelt cover, left out the center bolt and cut of the plastic part on the inside that the bolt goes through so it`s a bit easyer to remove next time round :roll:

Oh also resprayed the Cam cover :-D

France this saturday will be a good test for Pinky :shock:

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