Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Since I will be needing to pull the head to replace the gasket and the car is now painted, I am thinking I should invest in some fender covers. Given the unique size of the Elan's engine compartment, I am sure some fit better than others. Any recommendations? Thanks, Dan

Just a bump to get suggestions as to what people do to protect the paint while working on the engine. Thanks, Dan

I use three old towels which have been rescued from domestic duties. But then I am not good at buying something when there is a satisfactory alternative available free.
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

The covers I have bought in the past are all with magnetic strips so that they stay in place. That's not much good on a Lotus

Mike

Dan, I've used a variety of covers one can get from any of the AdvancePepZone stores. If I'm on a long project, I make sure I remove them for the evening otherwise the rubber stuff underneath leaves marks.

OK, thanks for the ideas. Harbor Freight has them for $9.99, so I will check them out. I think they are 3' x 2', which seems too big, but I guess I could always use sideways. Dan

I got my wife to sew up an old padded blanket that snaps on the two tonneau fittings at the base of the A pillar. She also put an elastic loop on either side that I put around the wheel spinners. The whole of the front of the car is covered & protected. If your car is a FHC then you would have to make a different arrangement to secure the cover at the base of the windshield.

Great idea, and last weekend, I had to divert from Lotus repairs to sewing machine repairs, so she owes me. Still haven't quite mastering timing on it, but the cost of being wrong is only a broken needle. Since I decided to make my new convertible top completely removable, she already signed up to make a bag to store it in the trunk. Cheers, Dan

Made mine out of an old duvet cover, cut and shaped to fit all round the engine bay.
Filled it with thin padding and added a strong builders damp-proof membrane inner liner (this will not let petrol, oil, brake fluid etc through).
I used cloth ribbon straps sewn onto the cover with ends having Velcro pieces also sewn on.
Around the engine bay, I araldited the opposing male/female Velcro match.
To keep it in place, I have sewn on cloth ribbon straps that tie loosely around the windscreen washer arms.

Does for me.

Regards,
Stuart.

...hope this isn?t too elitist, but the regular snap-on sticks to the fender as if it were magnetic - i can?t remember but not much more than 20$ as far as my memory tells me. the rubber stuff is like the mats you can buy for yr trunk sandy