My 1980 Elite 2.2

[Dion]

The seat looks wonderful, as new!
As a temp measure I bought new leather seat covers for a Tesla. These were for sale locally from someone who bought the wrong type and were never fitted. Because it looks they might fit, and I was the only bidder for peanuts money (cheaper than universal cloth seat covers) I took the chance and bought them. 

[basalte]

Latest update; after a final fun drive  the car has gone today  for the engine to be taken out and sent upcountry. Then, some fun and games will happen in a few days collecting the powerless car on a trailer to be put back in its garage ...given the garage`s tight  location there will be formation pushing involved !    

[Dion]

On 22/11/2021 at 15:04, basalte said:

Then, some fun and games will happen in a few days collecting the powerless car on a trailer to be put back in its garage ...given the garage`s tight  location there will be formation pushing involved !    

Oh, that's nothing seeing the Elite is such a light car and it has its most heavy item removed!
Try pushing a non running Mk7 Jaguar, with everything in place, slightly binding brakes and two tyres only half full, in a shed with none too smooth floor 😁 

[basalte]

Latest update : engineless car was pushed back off trailer into garage - all a bit tight but easy with three people . Then paid a visit to the engine which had had the carbs removed . Back home , cleaning gunk off the air filter boxes - lot of oil caked on & inside them  ( should there be oil all over an air filter box in the first place ???)

[jonwat]

1 hour ago, basalte said:

Then paid a visit to the engine which had had the carbs removed .

Make sure the ports are sealed or you'll get damp in which will rust the bores. 

[basalte]

I hope they’ve thought of that , they’re the professionals! 

Edited January 7, 2022 by basalte

[basalte]

Further news - The pistons need replacing ( not surprised ) , the crankshaft needs replacing ( bit surprised ). Luckily there’s a good used replacement available. The block a bit scored from the crankshaft wear but nothing major ! 

[basalte]

Well she`s back ! Finally !

Engine rebuilt ! -see pic.

Brakes recon as well

Now running in .

But she`s still fighting me. Driveway parking not a success as clutch screamed and smoked when I reversed up it; I made some thick plywood ramps to counter the steep "lip" from the kerb and they at least worked, but then realised that if other cars are parked either side of and in front of the drive (as they usually are ) there`s not enough space to let her out !

Luckily the next day  I found some off street parking to rent 400 metres away (hassle occurred as I lost the garage storage back in April) . Now looking for a new lockup that isnt ludicrously far off/expensive.

And... the 35 amp fuse keeps blowing (dashboard instruments and indicators).Strange, as she was fine on the 50 mile drive back that took 3 hours due to jam . Trying thicker-wire fuse

...or is it that 35 amps isnt the correct fuse anyway ? Suggestions welcome.

Good to have her back anyway !

[jonwat]

35 Amps is a pretty big fuse, I'd be wary of increasing it 🤔

[EXCEL V8]

The dashboard/indicators etc won't draw anything like that current - definitely needs looking at.

Pete

[basalte]

Thanks, the car used to do this then stopped for a long time as mysteriously as it began, then it`s started again... will take it on a longer drive soon I hope, see if it clears up.

 

[Dunc]

hey Dan,

Symptoms describe a short circuit. look for rubs and freys...

[basalte]

Hi again, thank you for your replies, the fuse was fine on an 80 mile drive so that`s  good.

Bad news is a new problem

- that the "fan fail" light of Doom came on and wouldnt go out. Fuses looked ok ...will now be checking connections to fans .

Fans were working fine before the rebuild (sigh).

As the car is now as restored as it will probably ever be, I will post elsewhere on the Forums with my problems from now on !

I attach photo of the car at the Croydon (thats the Cambridgeshire Croydon) classics rally

(with alsatian beside it for size reference) . 

[ChrisJ]

The fan fail light in an Excel also means low coolant level, don't know if it is the same in the Elite or Eclat.

[basalte]

I thought I`d give an Annual Report update as I still have and very much enjoy this car and the major problems have now all been solved (until the next time) .

The red light was fair enough as it was one fan that was knackered. Had new fan bought and fitted. Found a dry lockup  garage for it . New rear wiper motor off a Porsche 928. (Yes its the 928 one you need).  Rear lock knob refitted with metal flange to operate lock lever (Thank you John from these Forums, for the pics !) Retractable aerial switch fitted - so very 1980s !

Lotus symbol refitted to one wheel centre courtesy of a 2" washer as the mount.

Since my last post it`s needed a new alternator but the worst thing was the brakes. They  wouldnt stop binding. Had a master cylinder reconditioned and...the binding was worse than ever ! Took it back and it turned out that the servo diaphragm had split. New servo. I left the radio on that drained the battery. Not the car`s fault , one new battery ...

The engine is more or less run in after 1100 miles and the last journey 3 days ago was a sheer pleasure.