S3/SE diff cooling duct

[ardee_selby]

so this is just a less visible (but more likely to get broken off) version of the side scoop/ducting?

so this is just a less visible (but more likely to get broken off) version of the side scoop/ducting?

I don't believe so. I've not seen a side scoop on a roadgoing Elan. Aren't the side scoops/ducts, (or, to quote Jens a "funnelythingy" ) for brake cooling?

But we seem to have a crossed thread. (Never liked those pesky nut runners )

elan-f14/why-restore-elan-t21876.html

It would seem that only S/E (or more generally any Elan with 3.55 diff) cars may be affected, or am I confusing myself?

Cheers - rd

[dlbutler]

In the past I've had two diffs apart and both had bearing problems. The bearing on the diff gear housing had "spun" the inner race. Whether that is due to low lube or heat I'm not sure, but the one I'm working on now was full when disassembled. So,could heat cause the bearings to become too tight thus causing the inner race to spin on the housing?

Don

[paddy]

You will get a differential expansion effect where the housing expands more than the bearing as it gets warmer .. eventually the bearing will be loose. I would think it needs to be pretty hot for that to be a problem, but maybe some kind of loctite is needed as a precaution against that.

Also, premature failure of the seals has been attributed to too high a temperature by someone else on this forum.

Paddy

[jkolb]

When I asked DBE about their recommendations for gear oil, they said that they had measured racing temperatures in the rear end and found that Swepco gear oil kept the temperature 40 degrees F. lower than others they tested. Expensive, but that kind of temperature drop is very good and indicates that it is reducing friction quite substantially.

Jerry

[ardee_selby]

Paddy / Guys

"premature failure of the seals has been attributed to too high a temperature by someone else on this forum".

Here, heat was considered a factor, albeit after being on a rolling road.

elan-archive-f16/diff-bearing-failure-t10476.html

(FWIW: Here, both the diff housing seal as opposed to the the bearing seals themselves was discussed. elan-archive-f16/leaking-seal-t9730.html?hilit= diff oil seal)

Cheers - rd

[Elan45]

Frank,

I'd send you the one off my 45/26R but the project is stuck behind my sheet metal brake. I might be able to get my smaller digital camera down there for some pics.

I had always assumed the original owner added this scoop while he was adding all the 26R bits, but the car did start life as an early S3-SE, so maybe it just came as part of the SE spec. Later this spring, I am going to have to remove everything from my garage for some serious renovation. When the 45/26R comes out, I could remove the scoop at that time. Last I looked, it was in fine shape and probably an original Lotus part. This car has been off road since about 1975.

Roger

[Elan45]

Frank,

Did you get my PM?

Roger

[Lotus14S2]

The 26R had an oil cooler and electric pump.
How does the duct work for the SE mod?
It would seem to me that some aircraft silicone ducting would work on cars where there has been a problem of cooling if a plain duct without the cooler works. If it is to direct cooling air to the bearings I would make up a "Y" and duct it to both sides.
I find it interesting that my Elite with inboard brakes dosen't have this problem, considering there should be more heat generated near the bearings.

[ardee_selby]

The 26R had an oil cooler and electric pump.
How does the duct work for the SE mod?

You can see Frank's restored duct here. Simples. Effective but too vulnerable to be of use?

download/file.php?id=11596&mode=view

[ceejay]

Any chance of showing a photo with the air duct removed and turned over for a better look?

The elan body has boxed protrusions (behind seats) on DS & P/side... like as if they were
originally designed for small batteries to sit in, they don't really serve any purpose.
If the diff air cooling duct is fitted, one of these box protrusions would need to be removed
and some re-glassing done..YES... or No.
Just curious.
Col.

[bluesbrother30]

Franks repair sticks down a bit more than the original...........Frank, could you post one of the pics I sent to you??

Mike

[gordont]

pics attached of the diff scooper

[ceejay]

Thanks Gordon.
That is a nice f/gls air duct... I can see how it
fits with the body now.
Were these air ducts standard on the 26R?

Thanks
Col.

[gordont]

no idea if standard on a 26R - but must be a nightmare to drive and not knock off on a speed bump. I had to drive the wrong way out of a carpark yesterday due to a speedbump.... and with one of these it would be a nightmare (still look good). I had planned on a side scoop and ducting at some stage.

[gordont]

hmm - time to jack up the back of the car and see if I have any signs of one of those pooper scoopers on my 66 S2 SE