Project Black

[epipete]

See here

Some people (dapinky I thinky) used an old inner tube instead. Cost probably nothing. I need to replace mine too.

Thanks!

At that price makes sense to fit an original part, current one seems to have lasted for 25 years![/quote]

I agree, however, there are about 2500 items that you might need to replace at that sort of price for which the same logic applies, its good to make any savings that you can!

[dapinky]

I agree with both points here - but as Pete says, the small costs can add up significantly.

TBH, had I known that it was such a cheap and available part when I made my order to SJ's I'd probably have added one, but by the time I came to actually do the job, I wanted to just get on with it, and didn't feel inclined to pay the P&P charges for a small single item.

The other bits I got from Steve for the major reassembly project were already in my conservatory, and to have added it to the order would have been the sensible thing to do, but I didn't! As such, it was a case of seeing what i could find in the garage to do the job to a suitable standard - had I not found anything, I'd have bought the new part, but a piece of inner tube and 2 cable ties fitted a treat

[par]

Some people (dapinky I thinky) used an old inner tube instead. Cost probably nothing. I need to replace mine too.

Thanks!

At that price makes sense to fit an original part, current one seems to have lasted for 25 years!

I agree, however, there are about 2500 items that you might need to replace at that sort of price for which the same logic applies, its good to make any savings that you can![/quote]

I agree with both points here - but as Pete says, the small costs can add up significantly.

Yes the small costs add up quite quickly, unfortunately so do the larger costs! Good job I have got the wife out working overtime

Just removed the radiator lower suport frame and it is pretty rotten, I am reluctuctant to put this back on in this state after all the work I am doing so will contact the breakers to see if there are any decent ones available (I suspect most will be in similar condition). May have to talk nicely to a fabricator to try and weld in some new metal.

[par]

As I am spending a lot of time in the garage at the moment, I decided to make it a bit more comfortable and fit a carpet, make those jobs under the car a bit easier:-



Still in the taking bits off phase at the moment, I have stripped down one side and started cleaning all the oil/dirt build up off before I attack the chassis with a wire brush and POR 15.

[Artaban]

Ref the radiator support frame. Actually it doesn't look too bad. I think you'll find other secondhand ones in similar or worse condition. Mine was blasted and then PNM welded in new bits in stainless steel and it went back for powder coating. Looked like new when finished and I covered it liberally in Waxoyl before putting it back on the car. I think the whole job only cost me about £50. Much better than the £250-£300 for a new one from SJ's (if they are still available) by the time you add in VAT and delivery.
Andy

[par]

The photo didnt really capture the area I was concerned about, It is the front nose part where the strut with the towing eye fits onto, it has pretty much gone. I certainly wouldnt want to tow the car with this part so corroded:-



Looks like I will be going down a similar route as yourself in getting this one refurbished.

[dapinky]

Oh how I wish I'd had a carpet when I was doing mine...... or a garage......

I do, however remember the sense of achievement with every bit that got done - project creep or not, it's nice to know that my car will be solid for the forseable future - and I'm sure you'll find far more than you want to, but at the end, you'll have a really solid car.

As far as the radiator bracket goes, I can't tell from the picture, but it doesn't actually look any worse than most I have seen.

They seem to be somewhat over engineered in the guage of steel used in their making, and although they can get crusty, I have had really good results with a sandblaster and a bit of paint (well, galvanised and then painted, but you know what i mean!).

I've only had to do one minor bit of welding on one I took out, and that was only because a captive nut was knackered - I've never seen one 'holed' or significantly weakened to the state where they can't be easily rectified - remember, it cant be seen, so even my welding doesn't look too bad when it's fitted.

Edit - other posts whilst I was typing! - it looks repairable to me, it's only a steel sleeve (8mm internal diameter) welded onto steel plate - as Andy says, it can be repaired in stainless if you want to.

[Artaban]

Par,
I know it looks bad but take heart its repairable and it will be easier to see what involved once blasted or maybe acid dipped (thats how PNM remove rust). PNM welded in a complete bottom plate with captive nuts welded to it for the undertray. Mine looked like yours and this is how it was after being refurbed. Actually for the rustproofing on this bit I used Fluid Film not Waxoyl. Should last another 25 years.

[Jamie N]

Some great work going on there Steven, glad to see the Rex is still there!, if you sell that it would be a major regret I can assure you, I should never have sold mine but you live and learn. Give me a shout anytime if you need a hand, and you should come to the yard with me some day, you will be amazed at the replacement stuff you can get for the Elan, any amount of new nuts and bolts etc etc, there is an old Carlton in just now with a few Elan interior bits as well.

[chrisP]

Par, that radiator support structure looks salvageable, I had to take the bottom panel off mine and re-weld it. It is better than new now that I have had it shot blasted and galvanized.

Artaban, I hope you don't mind me saying but your radiator look very close to the towing point part of the support structure, when I replaced my radiator I noticed the old one had a cut out to clear.

Regards
Chris

[Artaban]

Chris,
Well spotted. Have a look here viewtopic.php?f=134&t=24597&p=309772#p309772
It was a problem with the Coolex radiator as sold on eBay. What was so annoying was I fitted it all back in and then had to remove it all again to adapt it.
Andy

[Rambo]

Any use to you Par or are you sorted now ?

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=25007#p315410

[par]

Any use to you Par or are you sorted now ?

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=25007#p315410

Timing - dont you just love it

I have just ordered a new one this week, found the generic SETRAB part and just need to get the fitting brackets made up, under £140 including shipping from Poland.

Thanks for the heads up.

[chrisP]

Andy, glad that you have sorted that out already, the link makes sense of it.

Chris

[par]

Think I have removed most of the parts from the front end that I need to, so the next stage is cleaning, inspecting & refurbing the removed parts before I can start putting it back together along with any new parts such as bushes and bearings.

A couple of before and after pictures:-









One good thing about the weeping oil cooler is that it seems to have provided that side of the car with protection from the elements!

[Rambo]

Par - not sure if it helps, but I think S2 steering racks were still on offer on the Lotus after sales list ??? Whether they still are now or not, it might be worth a look at the list anyway to see if you need any other parts

John (BritCarNut) is the fountain of knowledge re. "the list" and keeps it updated. Have a search on here and you should find the latest one

Hurry up though, the better weather is here. For this week anyway

[par]

Par - not sure if it helps, but I think S2 steering racks were still on offer on the Lotus after sales list ??? Whether they still are now or not, it might be worth a look at the list anyway to see if you need any other parts

John (BritCarNut) is the fountain of knowledge re. "the list" and keeps it updated. Have a search on here and you should find the latest one

Hurry up though, the better weather is here. For this week anyway

Rambo - thanks for trying to find more ways to dispose of my money

I had checked the list and it is only LHD steering racks that are still listed. Going to send the steering rack off to be refurbished, it has a bit of play about 10mm at the wheel (think Scott said it was there when he got the car) so hopefully they will be able to sort that out.

I have been in touch with BritCarNut and he has helped me check availability on a few parts. I managed to order a Driveshaft Assy LH at £95 from the list and also a new Radiator Underframe to replace the rusted one pictured further up in the thread for around £50 which is not much more than what it would probably cost to get the old one refurbished.

[Rambo]

Par - I think there may be a few of us with a bit of play at the steering wheel. However when it gets too much (not sure how much though ??) It can become an MOT advisory and eventually a failure.

Incidentally, I have a brand new S2 rack in the yellow peril. It only cost £127.65 on the after sales list True cost of one of these at the time was £1279.52 so a bit of a Billy Bargain

Keep up the good work

PS if you want any more help in spending your hard earned, please let me know

[Specky]

Just activating the old hey cells... South West Lotus used to send secondhand bits back to Adwest for overhaul and then sell them as reconditioned.

Have a sneaky chat with SWL they may let something slip.

I think it's Adwest... It's the OEM manufacturer which is on the plate...

TTFN

[Artaban]

Adwest are now Magal http://www.magal.co.uk/power-steering-pr-36.php based in Reading.
Is it worth emailing them to ask the price of reconditioning an Elan rack? I would but I would need the details from the plate on the rack as they would probably need that to identify it and I can't get to it at the moment.
Andy