Right then better start my '77 S1 project...

[dixi4uk]

Great pictures all the best with the article.

 

Just had a thought on your charging problem. It is not beyond possibility that a recon alternator is giving a random fault.

 

Another thing that may help to identify your fault is to disconnect the battery. Connect the battery, positive first and see what kind of spark you get when connecting the earth. Anything more than the tinyest spark and you have a drain.

[CharlieCroker]

Bloody hell, easy when you know how! So I went ovwr to my local garage to get the alternator bench tested, they are ford specialist and great lads to boot. So I hand over the lump and they start a bench test, as it's on the bench on of the guys walks over and says, that looks like an rs3 alternator? He goes off and digs out a crusty old unit that they had laying about. The bench test was inconclusive on my alternator, so I said to the guys can I try that rs3 unit, just as a go, yeah no problem try it but we can't guarantee that it will work. So I bolt it on, down and dirty as a quick test and to my amazement the battery voltage starts climing immediately and the volt gauge jumps tp well over 13.5v! So a shitty old second hand ford rs3 alternator has come to my rescue. It fits with a couple of spacers so I'll be fitting this unit until it dies when I will replace it with another ford unit. Moral of the story don't buy cheap shit off of ebay, you live and learn.

Edited August 7, 2015 by CharlieCroker

[V8-ESPRITS3]

Yes never trust a new replacement! been caught out myself many times with duff items!

[Wilf]

Now turn on all your electrical loads and check again!

[CharlieCroker]

I've just completed a clean and final install and looks like the readings are strong and healthy. I've just seen a reading well in the 14.5s so I'm pretty confident that this old and crusty second hand unit has saved the day. Just needed 3 washers to space it correctly inline. I'm so pissed off with my 'new' faulty unit I've just email the sod to try and get my money back! Test drive tomorrow, hopefully the sun's out, may even put the radio on!

[Clive59]

Good to hear, after all that!

[Barrykearley]

Proper result....

You bringing the beast to brands hatch next weekend ?

[CharlieCroker]

Can't make any promises, but you never know...

[Barrykearley]

Tease....... If not are you off to retro rides in shelsley Walsh???

[CharlieCroker]

I'm definitely at Shelsey Walsh, that's the biggest show in the retro calendar. As far as I know all 3 air ride lotus' will be there. Infact Rob mentioned a blast up the hill in his!

[V8-ESPRITS3]

I'm definitely at Shelsey Walsh, that's the biggest show in the retro calendar. As far as I know all 3 air ride lotus' will be there. Infact Rob mentioned a blast up the hill in his!

Yes mines going, and have the brakes in bits and new water pump install in progress so franticly trying to get it together and working! and yes plan to have a hoot up the hill if the brakes and cooling get sorted.........regardless it will be there even if its towed again!

[Barrykearley]

That's it then - I'm a coming to have a looksee.

I'm there at the breakfast club tomorrow...it's a great location.

[dixi4uk]

Bloody hell, easy when you know how! So I went ovwr to my local garage to get the alternator bench tested, they are ford specialist and great lads to boot. So I hand over the lump and they start a bench test, as it's on the bench on of the guys walks over and says, that looks like an rs3 alternator? He goes off and digs out a crusty old unit that they had laying about. The bench test was inconclusive on my alternator, so I said to the guys can I try that rs3 unit, just as a go, yeah no problem try it but we can't guarantee that it will work. So I bolt it on, down and dirty as a quick test and to my amazement the battery voltage starts climing immediately and the volt gauge jumps tp well over 13.5v! So a shitty old second hand ford rs3 alternator has come to my rescue. It fits with a couple of spacers so I'll be fitting this unit until it dies when I will replace it with another ford unit. Moral of the story don't buy cheap shit off of ebay, you live and learn.

The alternator you have there probably started life on an early eighties Fiesta. From memory they were produced by Magneto Marelli and pretty reliable as you have shown. I am surprised you had to add washers for alignment as it should have been a straight fit. I notice on the label it has 45 amp output which should be adequet for the Lotus. Did you compare the pulley size with your original?

[CharlieCroker]

It's a nice unit, even still had the clip to retain the alternator wire plug, and the best thing about it, is the pins are around the other way so my plugs fits without pulling on the wires, win all round. The pully is identical, its almost a direct fit, it would have bolted straight in if I had a straight bracket off the engine block, but mine has a slight dogleg hence the 3 washers. I've just been out for a run and we can safely say my battery is now very healthy, strong 13.8 all the eay.

On a detailing note just finished my doorcards, looks a touch classier now, I'm loving the faux wood effect and soft canvas combo, have a look, see what you think.

[soldave]

Door cards looking very classy. Impressive

[silverfrost]

     Door card looks stunning really nice effect with wood and other materials

[V8-ESPRITS3]

agreed looking good, nice work dude

[CharlieCroker]

Last few details before the show this weekend. So my gear knob, seat lever knobs and gear lever gaiter and base have been looking tired, dry and crusty in places and the wood colours were all different shades of blonde and not a very good match to my new rosewood effect door cards. Removed them and sanded them all back to wood, while exposed I tinted them all to match better with rosewood, buffed and gave them, wait for it 10 coats of danish oil! Looking so much better now and a far greater match all round.

I also removed the gear lever gaiter and base and tidied these up as best I could. The gaiter was salvageable with a few stitches here and there, however the base needed recovering, so where to get real leather at a stupidly low cost? Oxfam of course, had a scoot around a few charity shops until I found a black leather coat for sale at £4.99 so bought that and took it all apart to make up a decent panel. Wrapped the lever base and put it all back together this weekend, now looking all fresh and ready to go!

Edited August 17, 2015 by CharlieCroker

[dixi4uk]

I like the knobs a great improvement. The gear lever panel is a good example of recycling.

[V8-ESPRITS3]

nice work, I see a screw missing on the seat!

[mikeeech]

loving the radio... the remote gives the game away though!

[igg-hiss]

Simply stunning, setting the bar by which we are measured very high indeed. Especially the door cards, however if you carry on cutting up leather jackets like that you'll get a visit from the Russian mafia

[CharlieCroker]

loving the radio... the remote gives the game away though!

Hidden bluetooth headunit under the left dash (controlled by either that remote or better still my smartphone), my hunch is the original radio would still work if I could be bothered to get it fixed. There's also two 4" hidden speakers under the dash and two 6" rear speakers in the rear pods, it's a boomin' system when I want, trouble is I love listening to the exhaust note so it doesn't get much use!

[dixi4uk]

I am sure I have a working radio spare that matches yours.

You had also forgotten I have umpteen pairs of ladies black leather jeans new or worn once.

[silverfrost]

  Awesome work, love the classic look but with the modern goodies hidden away,  Good call on the Oxfam jacket

 

   Good work on the knobs also all these small details soon add up to a cracking car with a cracking interior.