S1 Project car - part 2 - the continuation

[drdoom]

This thread has persuaded me to go with re-webbing my original belt reels, rather than replacing. Thanks for it.

[Lotusfab]

On 07/07/2023 at 14:17, madmax said:

Absolutely - FDTS are an amazing old school company and their customer service I've experienced is second to none - so refreshing these days.

When I've spoken to them, a very knowledgeable lady often answers the phone - she's called Sue TAYLOR and I believe she's the MD.

Great products and great service - unbelievable to be honest!

Totally agree, one of the few businesses in the classic car world who supply great quality products at a reasonable price and know everything about seat belts. 

[Lotusfab]

On 07/07/2023 at 17:35, drdoom said:

This thread has persuaded me to go with re-webbing my original belt reels, rather than replacing. Thanks for it.

I wrote both my blogs to help pass on knowledge and save time and money. Glad its been of use.

I am now on to my next problem. The new high torque starter I bought some years ago is making a screeching noise. The car has done only about 1500 miles since a total restoration. Its hasn’t had many starts! I am hoping it has not destroyed the flywheel teeth. The mesh of this starter is completely wrong for the car. Once again supplied by a well known supplier and I know of at least one other owner who fitted this and his flywheel was destroyed! I am told all the damaged occurs on the same tooth where the starter engages because the engine always stops in the same place due to the compression stroke.
I have ordered a WASP high torque starter from Lotusbits, as I know it works correctly. If my flywheel has been destroyed by this unfit for purpose part I will not be happy.
I have said before almost lots of the recent issues I have had with both the Esprits have been from substandard new parts. I am slowly getting this car to the same standard as my Turbo. 
Recently, the new ignition switch I fitted disabled my cooling fans which overheated the coolant and caused the forward engine hose to split longitudinally exposing the fact it was not reinforced and totally unfit for purpose - as was the ignition switch. If anyone has a purely rubber front hose change it before you have a disaster.
I have Lotusbits making me a 5 ply reinforced silicone replacement. More expensive, but fit for purpose and all part of making the car reliable.

If anyone is going to the Shere hill climb Surrey Hills and wants to have a close up look the car will be on the Bell and Coville stand on 3rd September. Thats if I don’t have to remove the engine to replace the flywheel! 😡😡😡😡😡

[Djs44]

Reminds me of a friend having an issue with his Westfield - his flywheel ring gear fell off as he started the car to drive 60 miles home to Coventry . We had  a quick discussion and then got to work removing the engine , taking the flywheel off which allowed the ring gear to be removed , put it all back together and then bump started it so he could drive home. Bit easier than an Esprit mind.

[Lotusfab]

On 10/07/2023 at 19:36, Djs44 said:

Reminds me of a friend having an issue with his Westfield - his flywheel ring gear fell off as he started the car to drive 60 miles home to Coventry . We had  a quick discussion and then got to work removing the engine , taking the flywheel off which allowed the ring gear to be removed , put it all back together and then bump started it so he could drive home. Bit easier than an Esprit mind.

Don’t fancy doing that!😀😀😀😀

[Lotusfab]

Well I found some damage to the face of the ring gear all in a small area, the face of the teeth worn. The new WASP starter has a different pinion and it has a longer reach by about 5 mm. I installed it and tested it. The screech noise totally gone. Very lucky escape as the damage is not significant enough to affectbthe operation. Please be careful where you buy these high torque starters. I bought one from PNM which worked fine in my Turbo. This new one is branded WASP and came from Lotusbits and works fine on my S1. The high torque starter I had on there caused all the damage!
I started the engine the new starter was good, but the engine sounded terrible. I traced the noise to the choke on the rear carb.It was stuck open! Further investigation revealed the choke spindle screws loose but the cable was snagging on the very poor cable holder that was originally supplied. I plan to redo it all with a better solution.

[Lotusfab]

Cheapest job yet was fixing the choke. Bought a brake cable from the local bicycle shop and a ferrule. All working nicely now. 
oil change needed just incase of fuel in the oil. Hopefully I can enjoy driving it for a bit now! 

[Lotusfab]

Finally solved the issue I had with the ignition switch. Basically it was worn out. After rebuilding it I still found it to be unreliable. The only new one I could find was supplied by S and J. This switch looks Identical but internally is different. The Accessory position is unpowered at the second turn of the key when the Ignition becomes powered. 8n the original switch the Accessory position remains powered. The accessory position powers the electric windows and fans. I decided the only solution was to use the new switch and join the accessory wires ro th3 ignition wires. Now like a modern car the windows and fans only work when the ignition is turned on.   This is a simplification of the system and with the new switch hopefully will be totally reliable. Will be taking the car for a full service on a ramp soon. Obviously I can do all servicing myself, but sometimes it's a good iidea to get it on a ramp and inspect everything.

[Lotusfab]

 

Update on the Original movie S1.

[JonSE]

Ha - I get a mention in there about 2 minutes in 😀