Finally, Restoration Begins!

[dsvitesse1]

Hello , a little play is normal.

If there is much play, be carefull. The spring inside the primairy shaft is pretty strong and it will push the inputshaft though the circlip and into the crankshaft.

The play will go bigger cause of rust and pitting. No grease inside anymore.

I have new inputshafts.

cheers,

Harry Martens

www.ds-vitesse.com

[giorgio67]

Hi guys thansk for the reply.

Harry,

I'm planning to send you my gearbox to see if it need to be rebuild or what, so I will contact you as soon as possible via mail.

The work on the chassis is ....finished :P and now I will finish my system for the engine mounts.

I have found the two dustshield of the brake disc completely destroyed, so I need to found a new/good used pair for my restoration.

I have seen from various specialist but they are not available....any info/idea?

There are some adaptable dust shield for the Esprit?

Thansk as always for your help.

Ciao

Giorgio

Left engine plate on chassis (butchered )

All the suspension parts

Engine on stand

Chassis work

Chassis finished!!!!

Edited August 15, 2008 by ghe67

[bigsi]

oh boy!! gimme a pair of gloves, some marine clean, brushes and some por15 sterling silver and i will make it shine for you...my god i could have a cleaning field day with that lot!!!!

Edited August 15, 2008 by bigsi

[iainskea]

Excellent progress Giorgio - thanks for taking the time to post picture (I have just gone through the photobucket section too).

On poly bushes, I replaced all of mine for red nolathane (sp?) and they have been excellent. I got some specially made through the 'Elan Factory' and here is a link to the actual ones: http://www.elanfactory.com.au/pdf/product_...link%20bush.pdf

Keep up the great work.

Iain

[giorgio67]

Hi Iain,

thanks for your attention to my topic.

I know the Elan Factory bushes for the lower link ARB but I'm not sure about the ARB to chassis, I have read that the original ones are the best fitment.

I think Andy here on LEF have some good knowledge about the argoment, and he says that also for the upper fron whisbone it's better to use the original Metal/rubber bushes.

There are some problems with oversteering with the Poly if i recall correctly, anyway I will take more infos about that.

Ciao

Giorgio

[Paul Coleman]

Giorgio

Glad to see you're making progress

The anti-roll bar to lower suspension arm bushes are still available in rubber and I believe the a.r.b. to chassis are as well. Try... http://s75550052.einsundeinsshop.de/sess/u...ndex.shopscript

Regards, Paul.

[giorgio67]

Hi Paul,

thanks for the info, very good site!!

Have you fitted the Polybushes on your suspension or you want to keep the original type?

Ciao

Giorgio

[Paul Coleman]

Giorgio

I have rubber bushes everywhere - no poly at all. I've only had to replace the ones in the lower suspension arms at the front. I couldn't get the anti-roll bar out so I just left it as the bushes are fine. I was talking to somebody on this forum ages ago (can't remember who?) and he sells poly bushes for a living but said he would never fit them to his own car!!

Regards, Paul.

[giorgio67]

Paul,

thanks.

After a little search, I have found original front upper bushes, but at 20 euro each I prefer to buy a pair of brand new wishbones from SJ.

They are listed at 47 gbp complete of bushes so....

If I consider the sandblasting cost of my old ones, the new bushes, paint etc....It's a very good price (DR. Manta sell them at 115 euro).

I don't know if I will fit polybushes on the rear suspension, they were fitted on my car and after only 1000 km they are totally worn...

Any advice about that?

Cheers

Giorgio

[Paul Coleman]

Hi Giorgio

No I can't advise you on poly bushes only to say I haven't fitted any so I can't comment.

Your engine mount bracket has been severely butchered!! It will be interesting to see what the chassis comes back from the blasters like...

Cheers, Paul.

[giorgio67]

Paul,

.....It will be interesting to see what the chassis comes back from the blasters like...

What do you mean?

Sorry...

Giorgio

[Paul Coleman]

Giorgio

I assumed you would have the chassis sand blasted back down to bare metal to remove any rust that may be under the paint? Or are you going to do something else with it to clean it?

Cheers, Paul.

[giorgio67]

Ok Paul, now I have understand.

No, I don't want to sandblasting the chassis because it will damage the zinc coat.

I have carefully checked every inch of the chassis and it's in perfect conditions.

It is coated with plenty of oil and some black paint but under you can see the original zinc coating and it is still like new (very shine) and there are not any signs of rust.

So, I need to remove the black paint with chemical stripper and then a good pressure washing prior to paint.

I will show you my progress as soon as possible.

Thanks Paul.

Ciao

Giorgio

[Paul Coleman]

Ah yes of course, I had forgotten that your chassis is zinc coated. I wish mine were!!

Regards, Paul.

[giorgio67]

Hi guys,

just a little update about my restoration.

Sadly, I'm living the worst days of my life as my mother is badly sick.

She's returned at home from hospital a month ago with a terrible diagnosis: lung cancer with bones metastasis.

The doctors says that she has six months to live.

We have take the hard decision to follow an alternative therapy (methabolic therapy) but the way is long and hard.

So, you can imagine that I have no too much time and interest at the moment for my car, anyway:

just some pics of the past jobs done on the head and on the rear end.

I will show you also my new S.Steel parts for the chassis (brackets and mounting plates) and for the steering rack (backplates and shims).

That's all.

Thanks to you all.

Ciao

Giorgio

Brand new valves and springs

SSteel parts

Bracing struts brackets

mounting plates

Shims and backplates

Chassis box side plate and mounting

driveshaft

Flange/joints works

rear hubs carrier (one damaged...)

[esprit s2]

Hi Georgio,

Sorry to hear about your Mother. I hope she is comfortable and you find an alternative therapy treatment.

Good to see you have made some progress with the car. Am looking forward to seeing all the shiny stainless steel bits fitted.

Hope you have a good New Year.

Paul

Edited December 29, 2008 by esprit s2

[talon]

Georgio - I too am sorry to hear about your mother. As Paul said, hopefully she can be made comfortable.

[giorgio67]

HI guys,

Paul and Russ thanks for your words.

I'm happy to be "here" with my Lotus friends.

By the way, anyone has 4 New EX valves available?

Ciao

Giorgio

[Paul Coleman]

Hi Giorgio

Sorry to hear about your Mum

I intend to buy my valves from JAE in the US as they are cheaper than buying them over here.

Cheers, Paul.

[cbclotus]

Also Sorry to hear your news .................Mike

[Jeanvm]

Nice work Giorgio, keep on going please. Sorry to hear the bad news from your mother hopefully she will get better.

Ciao,

Jean

[giorgio67]

HI Guys,

just a little update, little time so..little jobs.

All the suspension parts sanblasted and painted.

I have used a two pack epoxy primer and silver top coat, very good result even if my spraygun was a little bit out of order..

Then I have fitted the front lower bushes, original Lotus Metalstick using some Moyslip antiseize compound.

Very easy and fast!!!

As soon as possible I will put some pics of the gearbox rebuilt in the other topic.

Ciaooooo

Giorgio

[esprit s2]

Looking good Giorgio! Thats what I have planned for my suspension parts.

[giorgio67]

Hi guys, little update.

All the trasmission parts have been polished, coated or painted and I have reassembled all the parts now ready to go some parts have been coated with special 2K lacquer and I'm very happy with the result.

The drivshaft flanges are new...mine were still good but these are so shine!!!!!....oh yes, I know I mad...

New Uj joints and that's all.

some pics of the job done.

Comments welcome!

Ciaoooo

Giorgio

[Paul Coleman]

Hey Giorgio

Why silver and not black?

I painted my half shafts about a year ago and they're still not on the car!!

Cheers, Paul.

Edited April 16, 2009 by Paul Coleman