head removal

[gaskethead]

Hi,
my first job on my elan is to fix a head gasket. Tighter than I had hoped for and a few more pipes..

A little bit of experience please-

injector wiring: am i best to remove cabling from each injector or back to the large harness connectors?
exhaust: if I detach the downpipe with the three bolts will the head complete with turbo lift off, or need I go to the cat flange with the 6 bolts.

cheers
Chris

[Simon_P]

With or without cam belt change?

injector wiring: am i best to remove cabling from each injector or back to the large harness connectors?

Undo the big connectors

exhaust: if I detach the downpipe with the three bolts will the head complete with turbo lift off, or need I go to the cat flange with the 6 bolts.

A/C or no A/C? if no it is as broad as it is long - I went for the downpipe flange and bracket because they were easier to undo - The difficult part is the turbo pipes.

[gaskethead]

thanks for the reply
yes, cam belt change and A/C.
I'll try as you suggest.
cheers

[dapinky]

Also, if you have no need/desire to remove the turbo from the car, it is possible to undo the exhaust manifold from the head and remove the head with the manifold/turbo staying in the car.

You would need to remove the manifold nuts (14mm spanner/socket) and then remove the studs (star socket, E8 size), then there is just about enough clearance to lift the head (with a couple of people it is easier!).

By far the easiest, is to remove the clamshell - but that involes removal of front bumper etc and leads to lots of other work which you find whilst you can get to it......

[gaskethead]

thanks. looked at splitting the exhaust manifold but its all pretty tight and I will lift off with head if I can. Almost off, and I intend to lift it off with turbo, and cat assuming it will lift off ok, but what's the clamshell please?

Also I ended cutting the earth wire on the wiring loom that connects to the coil mounting as it seems a right fiddle to get the bolt back in, and I'll add a connector on replacement. Is this a normal mod do you know?

Just waiting for a hoist to arrive in the post as I think it will be safer on removal and replacement if I can lift and drop it in a controlled fashion... I must be getting old!

[simonbuk]

The clamshell is the front bumper/wings all-in-one-piece of fibreglass that wraps around the front.

[Giniw]

That is a clamshell:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LOTUS-ELAN-M1 ... 1851037455

[Simon_P]

Not being very clam-like it is actually the topshell (splitting hairs I know) There is a lot of removing and replacing for no great benefit when removing the head.

Is this a normal mod do you know?

No, it's your lack of patience with something simple welcome to lotus ownership.


Hoist is a good idea it. It is quite unwieldy with turbo and plenum still attached, also quite heavy. The hoist allows you to stop and detach/attach things as you go, or just stop for a cup of tea. Main benefit when replacing the head, you can stop just before aligning with the dowels and drop a couple of bolts in.

[HJ2]

I also highly recommend a hoist with this pig job It gives you a lot more control than just a helpful pair of hands and damage to the paintwork happens quickly.
And yes, you'll need a lot of patience

Keep it up!