Project Black

[Elanlover]

Do you know what the bore diameter is on those wheel caps? I'm guessing they aren't the same as the stock caps given that those are aftermarket wheels. I've yet to find some good wheel caps for my custom wheels.

[par]

Do you know what the bore diameter is on those wheel caps? I'm guessing they aren't the same as the stock caps given that those are aftermarket wheels. I've yet to find some good wheel caps for my custom wheels.

Sorry I dont, I just changed the badges on the existing wheel caps. The size of the badge is 45mm if thats any help.

[Elanlover]

Thanks but no, it doesn't. If you ever have the cap off again (like in your pictures) perhaps you could measure the diameter (if you have a micrometer or the like). Thanks!

[par]

Thanks but no, it doesn't. If you ever have the cap off again (like in your pictures) perhaps you could measure the diameter (if you have a micrometer or the like). Thanks!

Actually I forgot I had a wheel off at the moment, diameter of the cap where it sits in the bore is 55.4mm.

[Rambo]

I picked up a set of new badges for the wheel centres to replace the previous non OEM items and think they suit the wheels and car better:-

Scot'll be creamin' his budgie smugglers again

[Elanlover]

Thanks for that. Wrong size for me but it looks like it might actually be the stock wheel size after all.

[Scott J]

wheels are Team Dynamics Pro 1.2's recommend for Elan SE by Team Dynamics and specially done in Gold for me, 4 studs. Only standard Gold option was 5 stud Scooby Doos. the centre caps are the stock caps for the wheel, Steven has now changed the badges.

[par]

Seems to be the way of things at the moment, I start one job and another few things pop up that need doing at the same time.

As I had to remove the arch liner to get to the headlamp motor it exposed the chassis for inspection and revealed more surface rust, probably slightly worse than the other side.


Attacked it with a wire brush to take the worst off.


Went through the degrease and surface prep stages for the POR15 process.


Then applied a couple of coats of the POR15 surface treatment.


After a few hours of drying applied a couple of coats of paint for some extra protection.


Found that the intake hose was just hanging down behind the arch liner so have re-attached to the snorkel that sits in the wing, dont think it makes any difference but for the sake of a jubilee clip its back where it belongs. New rubber nuts are bonded in place so I can replace the arch liner with new stainless steel bolts once the paint has dried and hopefully back on the road for the weekend

[par]

wheels are Team Dynamics Pro 1.2's recommend for Elan SE by Team Dynamics and specially done in Gold for me, 4 studs. Only standard Gold option was 5 stud Scooby Doos. the centre caps are the stock caps for the wheel, Steven has now changed the badges.

Is that your old Excel in your avatar Scott? Thought it was a TVR at first.

[par]

Not updated this thread for a while.

Had a bit of a cooling issue which seems to have been resolved by flushing out the old OAT mix coolant, unblocking a few pipes and fitting a new thermostat:-





Refilled the system with glycol blue anti freeze and bled it and the needle now sits firmly at the first mark on the gauge. New heater control valve arrived this week so will get that fitted at some point.

Also had my local garage carry out a sniff test and compression check just to make sure head gasket wasnt on its way out and it came back clear

[par]

Have just had the single biggest improvement made to the car since I got it all thanks to the ingenuity and skills of the original S2000 seats pioneer Jamie N, I now understand why so many owners have copied the S2000 alternative seat option. It has transformed the driving position for me, I sit lower and dont have to recline the seat back so much and can sit a little more upright which will help my back on long runs. My left leg no longer fouls the dashboard/console area and the Honda seats offer a lot more support and level of comfort. I also think they look a lot better than the originals (I understand if some disagree with that) and freshen up the interior.

Original seats which were a bit tired:-


New seats:-






Anyone toying with the idea of fitting S2000 seats, especially if you are over 6 foot, do it you wont regret it. The originals can always be refitted.

[par]

Noticed the turbo heatshield was looking a bit grotty so spent some time giving it a bit of a clean up. Still some pitting of the surface but it now looks a whole lot cleaner.

[par]

When I first got my car my eyes were always drawn to the windscreen surround where the weather had taken its toll (I guess the constant Scottish sunshine does have a downside ). The trim had perished becoming brittle and broken and generally looking tatty with the paint worn off the A pillar seal holders:-





Upon removing the seal holders there was a fair bit of corrosion around the A pillars, I decided to try the cobalt drill method for removing the obligatory rusted screws over the becoming standard dremel technique:-









Gave the areas a good going over with a wire brush and cleaned up the areas before applying some satin black hammerite paint:-







Fitted new windscreen finishing trim to the sides and top:-





Gave the seal holders a spray with satin black and reattached using stainless steel screws:-



A little touch of black PU sealant to tidy up the gap between the trim and seal holder:-



Now looks a whole lot tidier but shows up the top of the door trims which have badly deteriorated also, I understand these a bit tricker to address so might find a few easier things to sort out before having a go at these.

[cliff]

Looking good. The S2000 seats are fantastic, look good and are so comfortable. Last summer I was commuting from Liege to Frankfurt every 2 weeks, the Elan handled the autobahn in it's stride but the seats made the difference. Good choice.

It might be just the angle but on a couple of your wheel arch photos, the brake hose seems very close to the upper wishbone, be advisable make sure it's not. Having spent a lot of time cleaning and painting my car, I probably would have taken off the shock and spring to clean behind it. Then again you are more wise than me - that is how project creep starts.

[morciii]

What did you use for cleaning the turbo? what a difference a nice looking turbo makes.

[par]

Looking good. The S2000 seats are fantastic, look good and are so comfortable. Last summer I was commuting from Liege to Frankfurt every 2 weeks, the Elan handled the autobahn in it's stride but the seats made the difference. Good choice.

It might be just the angle but on a couple of your wheel arch photos, the brake hose seems very close to the upper wishbone, be advisable make sure it's not. Having spent a lot of time cleaning and painting my car, I probably would have taken off the shock and spring to clean behind it. Then again you are more wise than me - that is how project creep starts.

Thanks Cliff, seats have transformed the car for me and agree would make a big difference over long distances.

I cant recall having any concerns over the brake hose but will definitely have another look. The plan is to replace the front shocks and springs as the rears have already been done so will be going back in that area and give it some more attention. You are spot on about project creep, I am trying to balance keeping making progress while still getting the enjoyment of driving the car.

[par]

What did you use for cleaning the turbo? what a difference a nice looking turbo makes.

Wire brush, wet & dry, metal polish and a rainy Sunday afternoon

Nice and cheap but quite satisfying!

[morciii]

Thanks mate, can't beat a cheap job!

[par]

Thought I should bring this thread up to date before I move into the winter renovation phase.

Not long after I replaced all the windscreen trim I picked up a chip in the windscreen which then developed into multiple cracks in one of the few sunny days we had this year


So new windscreen was fitted along with another new set of finish trim.

Found signs of a very small weep of coolant around the heater control fan so ordered up a replacement from RockAuto which arrived promptly, the end of the rubber hose was also a bit suspect so ordered a replacement as well. When I removed the old heater valve it was in very poor state so glad I changed it when I did:-




Feel a lot more comfortable with the new parts fitted:-




I aim to keep this thread updated over the next few months and record the amount of project creep. For the record the plan is to remove the front bumper (and possibly the front clamshell), clean up and treat as much of the chassis that I can get access to and fit new suspension.

[Enright]

It's coming along really nicely. If you're into cheap but satisfying fixes that transform the looks underbonnet, then I find that removing, cleaning up and re-spraying the various brackets that secure things really makes a difference.
I'd got some alloy wheel paint lying around so I'd been systematically attacking things like bonnet hinges, prop catch and the stay at the front of the clamshell, boost gauge transducer bracket, headlamp motor brackets, engine lifting brackets, oil separator bracket, the back of the CAS and of course all of the turbo heat-shields. Fair enough the finish looks more of a matt aluminium, but it seems to last pretty well.