S2 JPS project

[ChrisJ]

Ah... I was hoping you weren't going to ask that, as it is in the stupidest place to put it, as it goes through the map pocket. I can only think it was the to keep the cable run short, and relatively straight, and for the release to be at hand for the driver, at least that is the excuse I'm running with now. Again @Lotusfab has his in a couple of places, S1 in the door (I think) Not sure for the Turbo Esprit

 

My kit was 2 extinguishers, and the hand held in the cabin is a foam one. I "think" the plumbed in one is AFFF - but I bought a second kit 3 years later (which I thought was the same) for my Excel, but not plumbed in, and the one I have in the Excel's boot is dry powder, yet the one in my Esprit cabin is foam.

The bigger bottles look like they come with a large number of nozzles. I've only got two in mine.

 

[LOTUSMAN33]

It’s certainly easy to reach Chris, I do love you Interior as said before 😍

I think I may go automated, SPA do a nice 2.25 litre system with override switches for £450. I know it’s double the price but just worry how much damage will be done before you notice the fire under the engine cover and tailgate especially with the tonneau cover in place which acts like a smoke curtain. The 2.25 litre system has two nozzles.

Do people fit them forward and aft of the engine or port/stbd?

Dave  
 

 

 

[v8vantage]

My fire bottle is on the left side of the engine just behind the bulkhead. 

[LOTUSMAN33]

So good around to jacking it up today and making a list which at the moment isn’t that long.

As it stands to be ready for the MOT and registering;

New Gear selector bushes, LH engine mount, RHD headlights, Rear Pads, horn, cam cover gaskets, cambelt, wiper blade, Fuel pump and new hose assembly for the tanks, side repeaters (could convert marker lights), drain pipe for diff and a header tank although I may repair that once I confirm the pipe is okay at the base.

Need to get a spring for the wiper stalk washer button as missing, O/S headlight surround and an interior light for the bulkhead as missing and eventually an exhaust system.

I have taken loads of photos today of the mechanics which I will start posting so I can check I’ve not missed anything.
The car had been running DHLA before but when I took them out the box they are 48’s!

Rust...... thought I would find some rot somewhere 😂

Dave  

 

 

 

[drdoom]

Remarkable car Dave, well done! Regarding fuel hoses it would be wise to chase down the lot including all venting hoses as they will be as good as failed by now, were not particularly top cabin when new, and modern petrol blends are more exotic than back in the day.

Cheers

[ChrisJ]

My nozzles  are one at the rear

One at the side  

 

Thinking about it, I would probably go with an auto system if I had to install from scratch now. Back in the 1980s that wasn't an option.

Let us know how it goes with this, as I might swap - and get rid of the bloody cable in the cabin

 

[LOTUSMAN33]

Thanks Steve and Chris

The fuel lines were hard and lost their outer plastic black coating.

Fuel is weeping out of the top cap and around the body gasket, the tanks appear rust free though so I may just drain and flush fitting new hoses keeping my alloy ones for the future.

Dave  

[stephenwhyte]

Looks great Dave - looks in great nick!👏🏻👏🏻😎

[LOTUSMAN33]

I connected the battery today and slowly things started to come back to life including the radio, the fuel pumps ticks away and the buzzer even works on the open door.

Not working at the moment are the O/S headlight motor, horn ( Couldn’t actually find one), Cigar lighter, hazards (Do federal cars have these) and the rear demister along with panel lights. Never investigated any of these though so on the to do list. The electric windows are painful so I will swap these out for the ones Fabian fits. The mirrors are working ok which was a bonus! Never checked the clock though or brake lights.

Here are some photos of the underside front and engine bay;

I’m going to leave the air pump and cat for now until I have it MOT’d allowing it to be registered, the head is actually tapped to accept the air manifold so I need to manufacture some blanking plugs on the lathe. 

The cam covers are literally pouring oil over the exhaust manifold so I’m going to try the nitrile ones now available although never struggled sealing the NAJ type previously.

Altogether a good day as found no play in any wheel bearings, rack, suspension or driveshafts. The wheels spin freely so calipers aren’t binding either. There is lots of oil to clean up from the cam gaskets mainly although it looks like oil is weeping down the sump bolts and from the oil cooler unions, I will know more when I full degrease and clean it up before running.

Dave  

 

[v8vantage]

I would update the electrics with extra fuses/relays for the lights/fans/windows etc. Mine has it and it reduces the load through the archaic wiring setup. Also strip your brake system and fit stainless pistons and new seals everywhere, after 41 years they will be corroded and the rubber lines probably collapsed internally. The chassis underside will clean up easily with a good degreaser and pressure wash. Mine came out like this.

 

[910Esprit]

9 hours ago, LOTUSMAN33 said:

until I have it MOT’d allowing it to be registered,

Dave - If it was manufactured over 40 years ago (1979?), it does not need an MOT (or insurance) to get registered.   Just a case of completing a V55 and ideally providing US reg doc.   (I went through the process earlier this year) 

(assuming its been through the Nova system and 'tax paid')

 

Edited August 3, 2020 by 910Esprit

[andyblackman777]

Wow!
Lovely car. It looks in very good condition underneath. 👍
I always loved the ‘JPS’ car. I hope you get to drive it soon. 
Cheers 

Andy

[LOTUSMAN33]

3 hours ago, 910Esprit said:

Dave - If it was manufactured over 40 years ago (1979?), it does not need an MOT (or insurance) to get registered.   Just a case of completing a V55 and ideally providing US reg doc.   (I went through the process earlier this year) 

(assuming its been through the Nova system and 'tax paid')

 

Wow thanks Steve I never realised that, I thought you had to MOT it before registering irrespective of age? I did say it was going to be the cars first and last ever MOT 👍

I have paid the taxes but awaiting the NOVA cert to arrive, once done I will get this underway. Good news 😉😁

Dave  

[910Esprit]

Happy to help!   My info is empirical.   I successfully registered a Triumph Trident I imported from USA just before lockdown.   It was all quite painless.   The V55 will also ask for all kinds of details from a certificate of conformity, but again, as its a 'historic' vehicle you can bypass all this.   There is useful info on t'internet on how to complete a V55

[LOTUSMAN33]

I will print it off tonight and have a look, I don’t have the original title but do have photographs of it. 
Can’t remember how long it takes for the NOVA to arrive as I did my last one years ago (Ferrari Mondial).
I may have some questions Steve if ok?

Dave  

[910Esprit]

No problem.   I suspect because you do not have the original USA reg, you may need a formal dating certificate from an authority recognised by the DVLA.   Maybe a Lotus provenance certificate will be sufficient?   confirmation of Nova cert did take a while to arrive (maybe 4 weeks? - but who knows at the moment)

[LOTUSMAN33]

I placed a large parts order today to get things moving and keep me busy but there’s up-to a 12 week wait for many items which I can only assume is part of Covid and stock levels 😥

I’m awaiting a list to see what’s coming and what’s going to be on hold, hopefully the belts or service items are not on the waiting list as hoping to get it running soon.

I’ve contacted Andy Graham for a Provenance Certificate by email as not sure he’s working at the moment.

I have also contacted Guy from Westcountry trimmers about my seats, he’s done lots of Esprit’s and knows the JPS trim so hopefully he can rescue the cloth renewing only leather work.
I now have the fun bit trying to remove the binnacle without taking the screen out, I think it’s possible just tight?

Here are some of the other pics I took yesterday of the underside;

Knackered engine mount to replace

Nice grease from the driveshafts splattered on the springs

Calipers appear fine but I have two new ones already I will swap out then refurbish these.

Timing belt just starting to fray hence change first although I was sent a video of the engine running from a gravity fuel feed.

Everything wants a good degrease as coated in oil so well preserved.

Drip, drip, drip 😂

Someone has removed the flow lock fuel valve as well, I have it and tested all good so will replace, I’m guessing it was taken out when the Webber’s were installed?

Dave  

[Fridge]

Yes, the binnacle can be removed with the screen in. Certainly on an S1.

[v8vantage]

Here's mine with the binnacle off! Don't forget to replace the red clutch line while you're at it.

[LOTUSMAN33]

Thanks guys, a job for the weekend by the look of it. I have done a S1 and turbo but both with no screen so pretty easy.

As the seats are coming out I think I’ll make my self comfortable on a folded blanket and have a play.

I have ordered a new clutch line today Roo and master as leaking, many years ago I had the classic redline failure with the clutch getting tight after prolonged use but fine when cold. I put my hand between the chassis and body yesterday to make sure it was accessible, the foam on the body is turning to dust as usual so good riddance I say to that horrible stuff 😀

Dave  

[LOTUSMAN33]

So seats are out ready for a trip to the trimmers for the leather work, it’s not until you see the original cloth underneath do you realise how much they fade. 

A good valet of the cloth should help but only a retrim will restore the factory look, still it’s only original once and you can’t see them when sat driving 😉

Dave  

[v8vantage]

Steam cleaning really helps restoring the gold corduroy, Vacuum first, then good fabric cleaner and steamer to get dirt/stains out. Worked a treat on mine. Here's my original seat material after cleaning on top of a roll of brand new original cloth.

[LOTUSMAN33]

That’s proper golden material Roo, I’m trying to find a photo of the car I saw with that material on my old hard drive from years ago, that was a Federal car as well.

I will pick some good quality fabric cleaner up after work from the motor factors and give them a wash.

Next mission is finding that really deep shag pile carpet as mines in great nick other than the foot mat section. I tried finding this when I put new carpets in 099 but it was as deep pile in the end so never looked so plush.

No13 had nice carpets I remember.

Dave  

[v8vantage]

Funnily enough my carpets were the same as bathmats from Walmart. Fabric cleaner wont be enough for the seats, you need the hot water steamer to break the dirt/stains loose then use a wet vac to suck out the residue.

[LOTUSMAN33]

I don’t have a steam vac cleaner unfortunately so may have to invest or rent one.

The trimmer may clean them for me if I ask so will see what he thinks now the photos have been sent first.

Do the federal cars sit higher Roo? I know when I bought IB10 Lotus Elan it was sat on Federal springs, when I fitted UK spec it dropped by 1” in ride height. My JPS sits higher than I remember as my jack goes under with ease?