Checking out a shiny friend

Engine in......

The engine is completely assembled and has been installed, not yet fully connected but including the correct clutch and new exhaust manifold :-)

Looking good, thanks Max.

New electronic ignition fitted.

The Tacho will be sent away for modification to negative earth, as well as being upgraded to work properly with electronic ignition.




The car is now on it's own wheels and suspension!

Next steps, Max will get the engine running, install the steering column (temporarily) and make the car ready for the respray.

Two candidates for respray work, decision soon.

Max and I then went through remaining work and approximate costs. I then had a good cry......

Manifold problems

Aaaargh.....

The exhaust manifold is cracked and not worth repairing -  it will fail again eventually  -  so a new item required.

Unfortunately this means a further delay to completing engine assembly.

It's the wrong flywheel; grommets

Well, the good news is that engine reassembly is going OK. The not so good news is that the standard crossflow 7.5" clutch and flywheel had been used when the block was swapped out a few years ago, not the 9" item that Lotus had used to cope with the power of the twin-cam. So now we need to find the correct item.

The current clutch is badly worn, indicative of what will happen very quickly if we fit the smaller clutch again.

Managed to buy some new grommets on ebay to replace the older / perished items as hoses and cables through the bulkhead are replaced and refitted.

Ready to roll??

Wheels on

Clutch and brake master cylinders overhauled

Servo removed and bypass pipe fitted (deliberate policy)

Heater box de-rusted and painted

Engine bay readied for re-installation

Problems with the valve guides in the cylinder head mean that more work is required. The head should be back at Lakeside later this week ready for the engine to be reassembled and then installed. 

The engine will be fired up as a test and the car will then go for bodywork repairs and respray. Two quotes so far, should get a third next week. Eye-watering numbers...............

Engine capacity

Measured at 1688cc. 78mm stroke, 83mm bore.

The original capacity was 1558cc, 72.75mm stroke and 82.55 bore.

An 8.3% increase in volume.

16th May

Work continuing in a number of areas:
- tyres on wheels
- front suspension fitted
- underside of the wheel arches spray painted black
- cylinder head valves ground in
- engine bay cleaning and sanding in preparation for painting

Decision made to remove brake servo to improve pedal response. The pipework will remain so that it can be fitted later if required.

Looking to get 3 quotes for fibreglass repairs + respray.