jtmco

My federal car has the same chrome mirrors as a Reliant Scimitar. They appear on eBay from time to time.

I put a RM-310 in my S1. As stated above, no amp needed. I bought the radio before I bought the car! One of my favorite things on the car.

On my S1, I have separate belts for the alternator and the water pump. I don’t have access to my notes right now, but my Amazon order was Gates 3VX250 and 3VX280. I will have to check any notes in my service manual to confirm that it was correct. I think I bought one locally that was too wide and this one was correct, but I’m not certain. Jim

I rebuilt mine using the Lotus Marques kit. The old bushing on the end was plastic and in pieces. My wheel would point in or out depending on the last steering input. It was dangerous and scary The kit has a brass bushing. Once I set the shims and lubricated it, the rack is like butter! So smooth and light. The only thing I did not like in the kit were the small rivets that you were supposed to hammer in (maybe I needed to use a press). I could not make them work so I replaced them with split pins with some jb weld for good measure.

@G_Reaper I have the T104RB on my S1. Seems to work fine. My engine block (907) was originally in a Jensen Healey. If you need me to take some photos from the back/top, I can do so. Does the the S3 have the 2.2L? It is the same belt, isn’t it? Is there any possibility that something is happening at the crankshaft pulley? Somehow the belt isn’t seating properly (grooves filled with dirt or old belt).? So it slips? You could count the teeth on the belt (should be 133, I think). Or double check how it is riding over the tensioner. If the engine ran at some point with these pulleys, then it seems like it would have to work with the belt properly fitted. Good luck! Let me know if you want any photos. Jim

Paul, I’m sure this is not worthwhile but if you hook up the speedo cable to the speedo, you could run it with a drill. If my quick calculations are correct, running a drill at 800 RPMs for 24 hours per day, it would take around a month to reach 47,000 miles. Hopefully there is a cleaner way. Good luck, Jim

Urraco- Welcome! I bought a Facet fuel pump and mounted it on the outside of the frame inside the left rear wheel. Depending on how original you want to make the car, that is an option. I also have a block from a Jensen Healey running Dell’ortos. Once I got the right jets and bought new o-rings (between the carbs and intake manifolds) to stop the vacuum leaks, it runs a treat! The carbs sound amazing. Good luck. Lots of good info here. Jim

I had forgotten but I believe when I bought a new piston, the diameter was a bit larger. I had a machine shop enlarge the hole.

I’m glad you investigated and found the problem. Saved yourself a lot if future pain.

To follow-up on Steve’s post, if you zip tie the belt to inlet, exhaust and auxiliary pulleys (perhaps in two places each), the belt should not slip. Have you already turned the engine by hand?

Mine is an S1 (obviously, not a turbo) and my adjustment screw goes in much farther. Does the spring fit inside the adjustment screw? Good luck figuring it out. Jim

If you are pulling the carbs, I would also replace the o-rings between the carbs and the intake manifolds. I rebuilt my carbs and still had a vacuum leak - it was the carb/manifold seal. Good luck , Jim

@Omegaman you can see my solution here: New Ignition Switch Mount Jim

It was not done by Lotus until later, but on my S1, I installed a Panasonic cockpit radio (mine is just a 310). Of course, it isn’t modern but to me it is very cool

The FIRST time I replaced the water pump and had to cut the head off the top bolt to get it out was a lot of fun. When I discovered the replacement (that I rebuilt) was leaking, I was frustrated but at least the bolt had been replaced with an Allen head cap screw. The only two truly easy jobs have been the seats and the brake master cylinder removal.