EliteEV

You may already have this document on Lotus paint codes. Sable is on page 7. Lotus Paint Codes (2020_01_03 04_40_18 UTC).mht Thanks, Pete. I don't thank that even a drasticly shortend pinion shaft would fit through my apature. Besides, I hope never to work on the rack again!

These should show up now. Same order as the captions above.

Hi Brian, After reading your blog, I decided it was time to renew my front suspension. Turns out, it was well past time. After 50 years and 80,000 miles, everything was shot. I sent the steering rack to a well-known Lotus shop in LA in 2009, but it never felt right, so I rebuilt that too. (I ran into a guy on San Juan Island last year who submitted his Elite, which he bought new, to that same shop for an engine rebuild, and the owner sold the engine and transmission out from under him. He was planning on donating the frame and body to a High School shop class. I didn't ask why he didn't sue the senior shop owner). Since it seemed that you did everything right I emulated your process, right down to using POR-15 on all the parts. I got the steering rack rebuild kit from Steve Taylor at Lotus Marques, and most everything fit well. The bronze bearing on the right side is an excellent upgrade. I did have to mill the inside a tiny bit, but made short work of it with a friend’s metal lathe. I also rebuilt the calipers, including new pistons. I had the toe-in professionally set yesterday, and took a spirited drive on a beautiful, twisty coastal road today. What an amazing difference!. I’d say the grin factor has doubled! One of the most fiddly (one of my favourite British words) jobs was reinstalling the steering rack. The supports for the front battery rack preclude removing the rack intact, so I had to remove the pinion shaft to get it out. Of course, I had to do the reverse and reinstall the tube, then insert the top bearing and shaft, then the rack, then press in the bottom bearing. It took a while and some choice words due to the restrictive work space, but now it steers, corners, and brakes beautifully. Again, thanks for all the tips, including buying the Shankly spring compresser. It probably cost less than a rental, and was no doubt better. Happy Motoring, Scott Petersen P.S. I beg to differ about accessing the rear brakes from the back of the cabin. I've worked on those darn cylinders several times, and everything can be done from outside and inside with an access port. It's a pain in the butt to drop and reinstall the differential. See the last picture. Left side, showning painted caliper (high-heat POR-15) and new lower link from SJ. The original one was split on the bottom of the outside. Oh, and for other folks doing this, please do install the anti-sway bar before the vertical link 🤣! The reason I couldn't pull the rack out with the pinion shaft entact. Eight lithium batteries above that wood filler. Really bad caliper pistons. Kind of surprised they still worked. Rear brakeline access.

A couple weeks ago I measured the raised side joint on the body and ordered some 5/8" black, rounded (top-to-bottom), self-adhesive plastic to add some accent to my all-yellow car. What I did not do, to my chagrin, is measure the joint on the doors. Those are 1/2" and in places a bit less. Lotus's lack of continuity strikes again (several of us have large gaps at the lower passenger doors)! Has anyone else experienced this problem post-restoration? I'm contemplating either giving up on the trim, or getting all 1/2". The latter might look odd on the body sections. Scott

Thanks for the reply, Brian. I have ordered from both of them a number of times (as well as lotusbits, where I got a rebuilt transmission among many other things through the years), and Ken Gray knows me well! I'll talk with him about the trunion parts tomorrow.

I just read your entire blog, Brian. Very well done...I didn't know that brown could be so beautiful! I've attached a picture of mine. Acquired 15 years ago, in very poor condition, I converted it to an EV and did some subtile body modifications as well as renewing most of the running gear. I have some vibration at speed, so probably need to replace the trunions. Would you tell me where you got them? Thanks, Scott

Pete, mine is a 1974. I removed the original trim (black with a chrome insert) and tossed it. John, I saw this on the SJ website too, and it doesn't fit the bill. Thanks for the replies...more information on sourcing this will be appreciated! Scott

Can anyone point me to a source for a facimile of the Elite S1 side trim? I've gone 15 years without it, but now think it would look better with it installed. Thanks in advence. Scott, USA

That helps a lot, Pete. Thanks! I live in a mild climate, so A/C is not really necessary. In addition, if would decrease my range. A previous owner installed a sunroof which makes the cabin tolerable when the sun shines. Scott Scott's 1974 Lotus Elite (evalbum.com)

It did have A/C, Pete (502). I'll attach a photo of its current state; I'll be tidying up the wiring as well. Scott

Hi All. I just pulled my dash out to have it reupholstered, and was quickly reminded what a crummy job I did in that area when I went through the car 15 years ago. None of the ducts were intact then so I guessed on the proper routing, but they look bad and don't function well. I couldn't figure out how to get a duct from the air box to the driver's side vent; every bit of ventilation is welcome in warmer weather, so that one would be especially useful. If anyone has a picture or drawing of the ductwork it would be much appreciated! Scott Petersen

I believe you are correct, eclat22. Very tough to install, but will summon my inner pretzel and give it a go.

I didn't see the printed conversion instructions in the above thread, so will post them here. Yes, very worthwhile project...no more winking Elite! I made the brackets out of composite (foam core wrapped with fiberglass cloth and epoxy resin). Hope this helps. Scott Headlight pod conversion (2020_01_03 04_40_18 UTC).docx

Hi All, I am beginning to install a Coverdale carpet set and am puzzled where some of them should be affixed. Attached is a diagram with the puzzling pieces of pile circled. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Scott