my Elan SPRINT refurbishment by LOG36 ??

[gjz30075]

Hope you can bring it down to Birmingham this year. I'd like to see it 'in person'.

[tedtaylor]

sorry, but i "chickened out". I'll be driving down in the M100 Elan instead. I'm sure the Sprint would make it, but why add 2,000 miles to it and worry the whole time driving.

[Certified Lotus]

Looking good Ted! Once the weather gets a bit warmer let's go for a country drive.

[tedtaylor]

I'm so vain! Here's my new vanity plate.

[Certified Lotus]

You've gone totally overboard Ted...........glad to see you have finally joined the club

[pharriso]

Nice!

[tedtaylor]

took a long ride on this beautiful Palm Sunday with the Sprint. Running perfectly, however when stopped at a light, i smelled a little anti-freeze. Got home and checked and found a few things that need sorting before summer sets in. The bottom rad hose connections are seeping even though i tightened the clamps, so i'll have to drain the radiator, pull the hose, clean the surface area and apply some silicone sealer and reconnect. I also noticed some seepage at the thermostat housing, so again, i think i need to dismantle, silicone sealer,and reassemble.

I raised the rear to check the donuts, all OK, but i noticed rear strut on one side very wet w/ oil. They are brand new replacements, but my guess is that i put too much oil in the tube before putting the strut inside, so the oil level rose to the top without any expansion room, so my guess is that with warm weather and driving that the oil seeped out the top? I'll confirm when i dig into that issue.

Also noticed the rear discs are silky smooth and my brakes aren't all that great with quick stopping power, so i think i'm going to scuff up and grind the face of the rotors to make for better friction and hopefully better stopping power. Otherwise the rear end looked clean and tidy and healthy.

Hey, it was a pleasant drive though. there's always something to tinker with when you drive these cars, right?

[Certified Lotus]

Great driving day today Ted! Took my Elan out and went for a longer drive than I should have considering I have a load of work to do on my Europa.

Your smart to check everything after each drive, a car that is resorected from storage will have all types of reactions to all of a sudden being driven. I find the review of all the mechanicals is a relaxing thing to do. All part of the Lotus process

[pharriso]

First run of the year for me as well, 60 glorious miles with the top down!

[tedtaylor]

I don't know about global warming or climate change, but I sure took advantage of this 65 degree "winter" day in the North East in February!!! Just had the Sprint out for a top-down cruise enjoying the warm weather and sunshine. Drives like a champ!
I don't think i'll ever "put them away for winter" as the season practice norm for around here. Just think how many times you miss out on an enjoyable drive. No need to winterize, or fuel stabilizers, or battery tenders.... Just hop in and take her out!!! Fun, Fun!!!

[Certified Lotus]

I?m envious Ted! Unfortunately I had to work . Looking forward to retired life in a couple of years then I can join you!