Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Haven't been here for a while, to be honest because I've been neglecting my S4 project. However, got back into it on the weekend and completely unexpectedly was in a position to start the motor for the first time.

I bought the car last May and I know it hasn't been started since then. It's possible it hasn't been started for a few years, but the engine looked very clean (new seals, gaskets, etc) so we just changed the oil, turned it over gently without the plugs in to get the oil circulated, bolted the carbs on, primed with fuel, and it fired on the first turn of the key. I can't remember that ever happening to me before!

The only hitch was freeing the starter, but a tap from underneath with a hammer did the trick.

Posting this here to keep me motivated - got plenty more "little" jobs to do before it's on the road

(the vid is the second startup a few mins later - didn't have the phone out for the first)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVKRHI_aT9k

Welcome back. Good to see and hear the twin cam running

Thanks

Yeah, it was a real boost to hear/see it running, and I'm really encouraged by how easily it started.

Just got to install the clutch slave and bleed both brakes and clutch and it should be driveable

Good to see another Lotus engine reborn after a long sleep. Welcome back.

Last week first startup - this week, first drive

Today I finished hooking up the pedals (had to take a carb off to connect the throttle return spring - should have done that last week!), installed the clutch slave (involved dubious eyeing of the cylinder, as the groove did not look sufficient to hold the circlip), bled clutch and brakes, and then ventured outside.

Managed one quick circuit of the grounds with no issues, then one of my helpers did the same and lost the clutch halfway - the circlip had popped off, the hydraulic hose unscrewed itself, and the cylinder and internal parts were distributed along the bitumen... New cylinder is called for, I think. This one was poorly machined (came with the car, so I don't know its provenance).

All in all, very promising - car felt pretty good.

Looking forward to getting the clutch sorted and giving it a proper try-out

Looks & sounds good!

The clutch slave cylinder uses a snap ring ( thicker and with no eyes on the ends) versus a circlip ( thinner and eyes on the end. The snap rings are harder to install and remove but necessary to stop the cylinder coming free.

cheers
Rohan

Ah - that's interesting. Thanks Rohan! We got the circlip from an old cylinder in Richard's stash, so assumed it was correct. I'll make sure the next one is the real deal

rgh0 wrote:The clutch slave cylinder uses a snap ring ( thicker and with no eyes on the ends) versus a circlip ( thinner and eyes on the end. The snap rings are harder to install and remove but necessary to stop the cylinder coming free.

cheers
Rohan