1975 Lotus Elite renovation

[mikeeech]

Has there ever been a detailed engine rebuild documented on this forum? I would be useful I think.

[Painterdave]

 Any progress on the engine rebuild I was watching this and haven't heard anything for a long time now 

[steve clack]

Sorry for the radio Silence! The car has Stalled some what. I bought a couple of Mini Mk1's and have just finished a complete restoration of the 1962 one. I am thinking of selling, would anyone be interested!

Spoiler

Spoiler

Y

 

 

[Straker]

Very nice, I think the early series have much more charm that the later BL/Rover cars... goodluck with the sale

[steve clack]

Sorry, I ment I wanted to sell the Lotus Elite!

[Straker]

🤣 I’m consistent i like S1 elites and eclat’s more than later cars....

[TAR]

Looking at the standard of your restoration skills it'll be sad that the Elite won't get the same love and attention.  

[steve clack]

Thanks, as you know the amount of time and money it takes to just restore the Mini is ridiculous! The lotus unfortunately isn't something I have the time for now. I have spend far too much time in the garage than I should have and it it time to sell to someone who has.

[steve clack]

I thinking of restarting my Elite project again. Rear wheel is seized and I am having trouble moving it into the restoration garage. Any advice...

[EXCEL V8]

Give the inboard drums a good whack and see if it loosens them a bit - they will need replacing anyway probably.

Pete

[steve clack]

Thanks, will try in the morning if the rain ever stops.....

[steve clack]

Has anyone have experience in removing the body from a Elite, cannot find the page from my manual to locate the bolts for removal. Any help would be appreciated.

[Doris the dog]

Here a chassis you can see many of the bolt holes. Sorry now I’ve put phone up you can’t see holes, but there is fixing points in the towers off rear shocks mounts (orange rope ) rear. Two in boot floor in deep pockets that are near spare wheel mounting pivot. Down side near seat belt mount in the tunnel 2 each side . Some on front suspension towers on inside you can just see studs sticking out

Edited March 1, 2020 by Doris the dog

[steve clack]

So, I am looking at ten bolts to undo....

[Doris the dog]

As there was no front end body on this chassis there may be some more around front of engine.  

 

[tom kilner]

I put this image in my "five minutes a day fixing a lotus". In the projects section.

Page 2 for my removing the body.

Good luck!

[Doris the dog]

Just about to put that up .. beat me to it. 

So 14 fixings total

Edited March 1, 2020 by Doris the dog

[tom kilner]

I made it 16:

2 - front sway bar mounts
2 - bolts on front shock towers
2 - seat belt mounts
4 - interior floor bolts
2 - weird hidden bolts from the inside of the frame to the body (not through bolts)??
2 - rear shock tower bolts
2 - rear suspension mounts through boot floorb

[steve clack]

Could you tell more about the two weird hidden bolts in more detail and how you can get to them!

[EXCEL V8]

17 minutes ago, steve clack said:

Could you tell more about the two weird hidden bolts in more detail and how you can get to them!

2 x M10 bolts that go into threaded bobbins in the body towards the rear of the central rectangular part of the chassis  - easy to see once you're under the car.  Not all cars have these fitted however!  Number 5 in Tom's diagram.

Pete

[Doris the dog]

More photos 

[steve clack]

Have undo all 16 bolts, car lifts a bit from the front but the back is stuck. Also is there an easy way of removing the steering rack!

[EXCEL V8]

Remove the steering rack when the body is off - easy then!

Pete

[tom kilner]

 As I remember my body back end was bonded to the chassis with rust. Some rubber mallet action helped.

[steve clack]

Thanks all for the pointers, body off and the chassis looks in remarkable condition for a steel 45 year old one. Just surface rust to get rid of...