Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I am not sure Dot 5 fluid is a good idea for a Lotus.

If the brake system is new and has never had glycol fluid in it, the DOT 5 silicone fluid works well. The two types don't mix well. I have used it in my MGB V8 for years without issue, and a friend has used it in his Elan Plus 2 for at least 10 years - again no issues except that it doesn't corrode the components, doesn't melt the paint, and almost never needs changing. It also restores those grey rocker switches to original black - marvellous!

Mike, silicone fan

Hi Mike
It appears I may have stumbled on the benefits of Dot 5 a bit late. Unfortunately the system has had Dot 4 in it so I will stick with that.

Graeme

Finally the brakes are together. I had new flex hoses made front and with protective springs on the rear.
New caliper seals all round new Banjo bolts and seals. I enlisted the help of my daughter and after a revision to her to foot technique finally got fluid out of each caliper.

Getting brake fluid in an Elan with the carbs on is difficult but I found this funnel made by Flotool which I dare say it made for the job.


When I put the CVs in I undid the out board suspension bolts to the struts. As the book says with weight in the car ? Tank and driver I again enlisted my daughter and to make up the difference to my weight one of our Westy dogs helped out, Charlie the dog wasn?t all that fussed but put up with it while I did the bolts up.

The rear number plate is on and the front is tapped in place until I can make so brackets.



Looking forward to driving the car ...again and hopefully some club runs.

Graeme

After many many weeks, make that months of work including
-fully rebuilt steering rack, column, repairing the rack mount,
-sorted the exhaust leaks, the exhaust mounts,
-installing the CVs,
-new diff mounts to and bottom, and diff bearings and seals.
-fully rebuilding the brakes including new rear discs the caliper seals and pistons, flex lines and booster,
-sorting the electrics for the horn and the lights,
-changing the heater hoses.
-fiberglass repairs to the booster and the Air-horn mount,
-full engine gearbox and diff oil changes, and lubed grease points.
- fresh gaskets in the carbs rebalanced and colour tune.
- and the other many jobs i have forgotten.
I deem it recommissioned! ( for now any way)


I took it on the first Club Run today on Sydney's coldest morning this year.
The car really liked the run and is a different car to drive with CVs.

I am glad I have put the time into sorting it as they are great little cars.

The only job I need to do is put the SPRINT decals on it.

Is there anything more to do... silly question to ask a Lotus owner.



Graeme.

Great work Graeme.
Looks fab.
Where did you take it this morning? I went to cars and coffee at Terry Hills in my clubbie.
Regards Daniel

I took it to the Cafe in Parramtta park with a local club in the sutherland shire.
I saw an Evora on the way home.

I am planning to take it to the All British day at Kings school in a few weeks,

Graeme

Hi Graeme,
I'll see you there. I'm bringing my 51.
Regards Daniel

I just got some very sad news tonight, the previous owner of the car passed away on monday within hours of seeing the pictures of the car in the email I sent to him following the cars recommissioning and its first run..on sunday.

I knew he was ill, and thats the reason he sold the car, So I am pleased I was able fullfil his wish to look after the car.

His wife passed on the news, and its as if he was hanging on to see the car back on the road. I would have loved to take him for a ride before he died.

RIP Ted.

Graeme

Graeme

Sad news about the PO.

Just to finish your car off correctly, the bottom of the sills running between the two wheel arches should be black, not white. It's how they left the factory and it does make the body look a little sleeker.

Good job and well done!

Tim

Hi Tim
Thank you I was wanting to find out what needed to be done to keep the car as it was when it left the factory. I have the Sprint Decals and will put those on.
I found you instructions on the sprint web site which are a great assistance.
The only question I do have is with the decals, what is the lateral location of the script in relation to door edges? is just an equal distance or is a set distance from the front edge?

Cheers
Graeme

This looks better... Sprint decals and I had the paint and cleaned buffed by Nathan...



Graeme

Congrats on completing your restoration & getting her back on the road, she looks very nice indeed!

HI Phil

Thank you for the comments, I do love the colour of yours its quite rare, and appropriate a friend was telling me he did 500 miles over the weekend and got 43MPG (imperial).

Looking foward to getting some time in mine.

super job, well done and have good fun driving

Well I have now decided to change the rear springs as the right hand side was down 1/2 inch or so and there quite rusty. Silly me for not doing it when I have the drive shaft and brakes apart..

So new springs and while i am in there new Lotacones..







There are also some interesting lotus build things I have found like flash of green paint on the strut shock tube.
and a red dot on the left hand side, and you can see the wheel arches on my car were painted Black as the paint is flaking off.



You can also see where they marked off the wheel arches when the painted the car before they put the body on the chassis... interesting


Graeme