My elite so far

[tysonn]

Joined the forum last week and mentioned the car I had bought in the "introduction" section.Spent a couple of hours yesterday and its now running which is encouraging as the tax disc in the screen was '05.Could some kind soul possibly give me a list of part numbers for spark plugs,points,rotor arm etc?Will these items have to be oredered from a specialist or are they easy to come by?Any recommended suppliers?I expect to have fun with the rear brakes as although the whole car had new copper brake pipes when the chassis was replaced the last owner used steel fittings(bit daft in my opinion)and the fittings at the ends of the bleed pipes with the nipples are never going to come undone.

TIA

Mick

[TonyPoll]

I've used SJ Sportscars a lot - they are very good http://www.sjsportscars.co.uk I use them for most of the 'usual' service new parts on my Excel.

Also, LotusBits http://www.lotusbits.com/, especially for second-hand items.

Tony

[tysonn]

Well so far I have fitted an electronic ignition module bought off Ebay new for just over £20 which will save having to set any points in future.New coil,plugs,leads,rotor arm,air filter,oil filter and fresh oil.We had a couple of days where the engine absolutely refused to start after having no previous problems at all.It would fire whilst spraying Ez start but not continue to run.We suspected stale fuel and changed that to no avail.A compression test showed around 150 on all 4,there was a spark,there was definitely fuel getting into the cylinders judging by the amount of times we removed and cleaned the plugs.Sometimes there was fuel dripping from the bellmouth of the rear carb.We flattened 2 batteries several times over a couple of days and couldn't see anything that could be causing the problem.Then all of a sudden there was a massive FART(best description I could think of)and its started and ran great since?The clutch was found to be stuck to the flywheel but a 2 mile trip down the road(no tax,test,insurance,number plates,lights etc)have freed it off.Car is pulling to the right and handbrake not working.Looking at the underneath the galvanized chassis is in great nick.I want to remove the rear suspension as a whole to sort the rear brakes and derust and paint the radius arms etc.Does anyone have any tips as to the best/easiest way of doing this.I need to find someone that can refurbish the original type alloys as although I have 2 sets they're both tatty with white al deposits etc.There is nowhere round here that does walnut shell blasting or that sort of thing so I may have to send them away somewhere.I am good with bodywork/paintwork etc but mechanically apart from routine servicing I don't have the expertise or patience.Suddenly the voltmeter has stopped showing any charge so I'll have to check the alternator or maybe I have pulled a wire off or something.Once I get the brakes and suspension cleaned up and refurbed where necessary I can make a start on the bodywork which is the part I'm looking forward to.I have a friend who's a trimmer who has offered to totally redo the tatty interior.There's a distinct possibility that it could be back on the road this year!

[frommerstop]

Hello Mick,

sounds like a nice work in progress! Unfortunately, unlike a Jag, the suspension can't be pulled out as a unit. The diff, lower arms, hubs, etc. all mount to the rear of the backbone chassis, so they will need to be removed individually unless you wanted to lift the whole body off the frame.

Clff

Edited June 20, 2010 by frommerstop

[tysonn]

Oh bum!!!!!Was half expecting to be told that.Will have to pay someone to do it!Many thanks for the pointer though.

Mick

[eclat22]

Hi Tysonn, if you are interested I have a set of series 1 alloy wheels that I had refurbished by pristene wheels of Woburn about 5years ago, the have only had dry use and are in excellent condition still, they where diamond turned and the centres repainted it the correct colour and look awsome on the car, only for sale as the wheels will not fit over my 310mm front brakes. If you are interested I am looking for £120 for them, send me your email address and I will send you some pics, you won't be dissapointed.

Dan

[tysonn]

Hi Dan.I have sent you a message with my email address.

Mick