Two at once

[White Elan Man]

Well, my white Elan restoration has stalled somewhat, although I have been busy sourcing parts and did manage to get the interior sorted, along with a full C service. I have a two week slot booked in October on a four post ramp at a friends garage, so aim at getting serious next month.
To make matters more complicated I have bought a barn find S2, it was local and I couldn’t resist, I have been over both cars thoroughly and although I have my work cut out I am generally happy with what I’ve got. I ordered quite a few parts this week and aim to start on it in earnest next month, concentrating on chassis, suspension and brakes, it had a new rad just before being laid up, so will probably get some Samco’s on it along with a C Service and new exhaust and see how she performs.
That will leave the seats/doorcards to be reupholstered, change the three instrument gauges (bezels gone rusty) and sort the glove box out.
Then just the unknown problems of which there will probably be many.
Cheers

[Tuga2112]

looking forward to pictures of your work and progress

[Geordie]

Hi
Sounds like you definetly have your work cut out,good luck and happy parts hunting,it’s good to hear how many people are trying to restore these lovely cars,,I’m new to m100 ownership and with limited funds ,so my progress is slow but I have a list to work through and I’m thoroughly enjoying the car as I move forward ,,I’m also looking for new bezels for gauges ? Any ideas where to source some from ?
Geordie

[White Elan Man]

Thanks Tuga, as we all know, these cars just soak the hours up.
Geordie, the Voltmeter’s are available new from Southwest Lotus for £60 +postage, I was lucky enough to have a boost gauge, so the hunt is on for an oil pressure gauge. I am pretty sure they can be repainted if the metal is ok, but unfortunately for me they are too far gone.
This afternoon is being wasted trying to get the factory alarm to unarm…..at least the sun is out.

[Geordie]

Hi
Cheers for reply ,I will have to see what kind of job it is to remove all 3 gauges ,mine should just need a paint
Geordie

[White Elan Man]

Just took mine out, 1hour max, remove access panel in top of dash, lay a white rag underneath the three gauges( so it’s easier to see any dropped washers or nuts, tools needed 7mms socket and ratchet, stubby philips screwdriver and small telescopic magnet for picking up anything you drop. Start on the voltmeter and work along, two nuts and washers and one retaining bracket on each dial.
That’s me done today, I’m all Lotused out

[White Elan Man]

Well, lots of parts turned up today, I managed to get new wishbones but was very disappointed with the paint finish. What is the general consensus on how to refinish them, blast and powdercoat or the POR 15/ two pack alternative, also thought on the fuel pump, Which has been idle for 8 years, the tank will be coming out for a good clean…. Probably worth a new pump???
Cheers

[Tuga2112]

Well, lots of parts turned up today, I managed to get new wishbones but was very disappointed with the paint finish. What is the general consensus on how to refinish them, blast and powdercoat or the POR 15/ two pack alternative, also thought on the fuel pump, Which has been idle for 8 years, the tank will be coming out for a good clean…. Probably worth a new pump???
Cheers

1 wishbones.
no consensus. you will find everyone does it differently depending on aim and budget. i got mine powder coated. but if i was a bit more sensible i probably would have just acid dipped them and put some rust prevention paint.

truth is. powder coating looks great if you have a garage queen. mine is used every week to commute to work

2. fuel tank
dont bother. if it aint broke dont fix it.
also. i have replaced mine not long ago. the lotus specialist unit is 4-5 times more expensive than a generic unit from china with same specs. and takes minimal effort to adapt to the elan.
its been running just fine for 3 or 4 months now. gone all the way and back to duns for jim clarks aniversary. only reason the original one broke was because i clamped the line when fitting the tank. i reckon the original unit would have been fine for many years if i wasnt an idiot

[White Elan Man]

Well,I am getting to know the S2 rather well, it is certainly a love hate relationship and can see it remaining so for the foreseeable.
This week has been about the electrics, I’ve tried to pretend that the dash didn’t have to come out but as of tonight it’s out.
The people that put these cars together must have PTSD or some sort of anxiety issue…. I know I have at the moment.
Where the car had stood for eight years everything got used to not working and am slowly working my way round both electrically and mechanically, being sympathetic and not asking for too much at once has seemed to have paid off.
On first connecting the battery I had a bizarre array of things working with no noticeable rhyme or reason.
I cleaned all the fuses and relays and along with all the joints gave them a good dose of contact cleaner, also cleaned up the + post and crimps, there was no improvement.
This made me think maybe the alarm, I contacted Jonathan (Saltire) and he sent me some notes on the alarm, so a BIG thank you to him.
I then bypassed the immobiliser side of things and still no improvement.
I wondered why I had no dash lights so started looking at the ignition switch, this turned out to be faulty, so I think I should now start to make progress when the new one is fitted, and may also have to look at cleaning the earthing points up. Out of interest the S2 ones are no longer available but SJ’s seen to think the complete SE unit should be a straightforward swap, I will just need to go from soldered joints on the original to crimps, I obviously want to put the old cylinder in so as to keep the original key.
I may work on her some more tomorrow…… but then again it may be best for my mental health to go do something else!

[dapinky]

If the problem with the ignition switch is purely the 'black box' which is held to the barrel with a small screw, then that is a Vauxhall item.

I can't help with the part number as I changed mine many years ago, but it was from a Nova (and probably others). The one you have will have a GM part number on it.

The nice thing about replacing it is that (if you so wish) you can utilise the 'accessory' position to wire up the stereo.

[White Elan Man]

Cheers Dave, The S2 are definitely different, I haven’t ordered the parts yet and will get it off the car and in bits and then have a good look at it all.
Dave you were right again, although they appear different, ie S2 soldered/SE crimped terminals, they are indeed interchangeable.
A nice touch on the new switch is that the extra switch line for the radio doesn’t break until the key is physically removed, so your radio stays on even with the key at the 0 position

[White Elan Man]

A good day today, a new windscreen in the SE and all the electrical gremlins sorted out on the S2 along with a new alarm fitted.Once the new alarm was fitted a lot more circuits came to life, then it was down to replacing the eleven standard relays, tracing the odd dry joint, fitting a new ignition switch and coaxing the wiper and window motors back in to life. All that is left on the electrical side is to fit a new alternator, two window switches and either sort the earth out on the horns or replace them, which I will leave to when I do the suspension, brakes and engine work. I’ve hopefully got my two week slot on the ramp at the beginning of November, so it’s back to ordering parts and working out a plan of attack. A big thank you to Dave and Jonathan for pointing me in the right direction, it really helps out!

An update on the windscreen, I left the car alone overnight with windows and roof down, this morning I raised the windows to find the pillar seals fitted extremely poorly and that they were only stuck down top and bottom, which also revealed screws that had just been pushed in to holes and were not biting.I have registered a complaint with the company and can see problems ahead unless the Manager gets this sorted out.
I wouldn’t mind but I left the Lotus Service notes out regarding windscreen work, but the fitter seemed to think he knew better and moaned that he had only been given an hour to do the job and that he had lost 5 jobs while doing this screen for over 4 hours.

[Tuga2112]

I wouldn’t mind but I left the Lotus Service notes out regarding windscreen work, but the fitter seemed to think he knew better and moaned that he had only been given an hour to do the job and that he had lost 5 jobs while doing this screen for over 4 hours.

sounds like you have a fitter that is innexperienced. anyone with experience would allocate the whole afternoon for any 30 year old car

[dapinky]

Last time I had one done (which is actually the only time!) they took 2 days as the adhesive/primers needed to be given time to cure. I took it to them, as I didn't want it being done on the driveway in bad weather. The job can be done in a few hours, but allowing overnight for some stuff to fully cure before doing the next stage is preferable.

[White Elan Man]

Well, things have been slow of late, Autoglass want the car in to them to sort out the windscreen. The car has no MOT due to new rear discs being needed so would have to be trailered there and back (unnecessary expense). I had a 2 week slot booked on a ramp at a local garage to replace all the suspension and brakes as well as touching up the chassis where needed, but have been messed around with my dates and to top it all the NHS want me in next week for an op I’ve needed for a while, and I will be out of action for 3 to 4 weeks after that.
As the Gods seem to be against me lately I’ve decided to start afresh in the New year. I’ve bought a one trip 20’ container and insulated it with Celotex and this is going to be the new home of the SE as the other half has refused permission for any more car ports, I’ve also been through the minefield that is two post car lifts, after seeing flogged to death 30 year old ones to dirt cheap Chinese ones that will never have spare parts availability after 18 months, I’ve took the plunge on a decent one which is being fitted next week and should hopefully make a lot of things easier.
I also put one of my other cars into a car storage company which has freed up space for the S2 in the garage.
Looking forward to a more productive 2024

[Tuga2112]

Well, things have been slow of late, Autoglass want the car in to them to sort out the windscreen. ... The car has no MOT .... so would have to be trailered there and back (unnecessary expense).

i would suggest you get them to do the trailering. after all they offer a "on the drive" service if they are unable to fullfil their marketing talk, they would have to sustain the increased costs of transportation..
alternatively. i think getting the car throught the MOT would be a better option. which leads to the next comment

The car has no MOT due to new rear discs being needed so would have to be trailered there and back (unnecessary expense).

look up both pinky and ronr project threads. Ron has done most of the legwork and pinky ironed out the research. as of today. there are at least 3 elans with Astra rear hubs with astra discs on the road. My NA is one of those, my SE has the uprights modified ready for the hubs as well as soon as the existing discs need replacing.

I Have a spare pair of rear hubs with integrated discs that came out of my NA these have been skimmed and still have plenty of meat left, shouldnt be an issue for a swap. but id want your old ones in order to skim them and keep a spare set in stock.

I had a 2 week slot booked on a ramp at a local garage to replace all the suspension and brakes as well as touching up the chassis where needed, but have been messed around with my dates

"to replace all the suspension and brakes" rather straighforward jobs. as long as you got the right parts ready to go in. and most importantly, if you are extremely resilient to project creep. (which i would be if i was renting a lift)


i know its none of mine or anyone else's business to comment. but i think postponing the work is a good call.
however, if you have a double garage, i can tell from experience that none of the work you need to do is really worth renting a 2 week slot on a ramp. i have a good quality jack and 3ton axkle stands (and some thick wood planks), which allowed me to do all the work you describe and more in the confort of my garage in the back of the house. personally would rather do that than having to travel to someplace for the use of a ramp.

one thing to note about suspension is. if you are thinking of replacing the bolts. do not follow the parts manual. i have 80 quid of stainless bolts in my garage that didnt fit the car, i have no idea how that worked out, but ordering everything based on the manual didnt work. i admit my brain was extremely foggy when i purchased them due to poor health, but i wont be trusting the parts manual for that kind of planning in future.


id be very interested in knowing more about your 2 post and 4 post and other lifts research. ive been meaning to purchase something for the past 6 months but struggling a lot on the decision. so far i am 90% sure i will be getting a mid rise scisor lift, but i dont like the prices i see and more importantly the manner on which the companies try to sell them... i havent found anyone who actually charges you the price they advertise for something working out of the box yet

[dapinky]

i would suggest you get them to do the trailering. after all they offer a "on the drive" service if they are unable to fullfil their marketing talk, they would have to sustain the increased costs of transportation..
alternatively. i think getting the car throught the MOT would be a better option. which leads to the next comment

Joao, it isn't a case that they are failing in their advertised service, so much as they will make the offer to have it overnight at their premises to do a 'proper' job! Then it is your choice - if you want it done on your driveway, they will do it, but the primer/adhesive needs an overnight cure time, so they will need to leave it (insecure) in the UK weather..... and they won't guarantee the work (quite rightly!). To do it right, it needs to be in their workshop.... but your choice if not. It isn't their fault that you have no MOT to drive it in.

i know its none of mine or anyone else's business to comment. but i think postponing the work is a good call.
however, if you have a double garage, i can tell from experience that none of the work you need to do is really worth renting a 2 week slot on a ramp. i have a good quality jack and 3ton axkle stands (and some thick wood planks), which allowed me to do all the work you describe and more in the confort of my garage in the back of the house. personally would rather do that than having to travel to someplace for the use of a ramp.

Postponement is a great (only viable!) option - having had my own NHS 'short notice' call-in I understand how it works! I had just enough notice in between outpatient appointments/tests/assessments and the actual surgery to get the car up on stands and the front suspension stripped out ready to work on at my leisure whilst not grovelling on the floor - I am fortunate in having the space in the garage and no time pressures.

one thing to note about suspension is. if you are thinking of replacing the bolts. do not follow the parts manual. i have 80 quid of stainless bolts in my garage that didnt fit the car, i have no idea how that worked out, but ordering everything based on the manual didnt work. i admit my brain was extremely foggy when i purchased them due to poor health, but i wont be trusting the parts manual for that kind of planning in future.

I have a published list of the bolt sizes needed for all (most?) of the chassis/suspension bolt replacement - using stainless where suitable, but HT steel where the application requires a higher grade..... mostly taken from the parts manual, but refined over the years to fit with what the car actually needs in real life.

[White Elan Man]

Hi Tuga
Autoglass have been fine about sorting the windscreen problems out, the whole affair is a disaster and I think both parties realise it will be sorted out “oneday”

Thanks for the offer of the rear discs, but I already have new ones waiting to go on.

Regarding the Suspension bolts, I came across Daves bolt list a few months ago and made good use of it… Cheers Dave.

Now on to the car lift, personally I think the four post lifts are too restrictive although the safety aspect is more appealing, so I’ve gone down the two post route. I went for the Ravaglioli KPH350.45. It may seem like an indulgence, but at my age rolling around/kneeling on a cold floor is a deal breaker for me, plus these cars are fiddly enough to work on so anything that can reduce the aggravation factor for me is a bonus.
I got a good deal on the lift and providing the install goes well, I will post more details on the suppliers thread
Cheers