Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I was thinking about Ross' proposed Grand Tour (what a great idea, I'd love to do that) and wondering about the best selection of tools to carry along on a trip. So rather than hijack his thread I thought I'd start this one instead to solicit opinions.

Here's my list of "essentials":-

• Set of AF spanners.
• AF socket set with ratchet, extension, U/J and plug socket.
• Flat and Phillips screwdrivers.
• Pliers - bull nosed, bent.
• Insulation and duct tape.
• Spare fuses and bulbs.
• Rolls of wire - black, red, green. Some connectors and a crimping tool.
• Battery powered inspection lamp or torch (might keep that in the glove box).
• Spare split pins
• A rag or two, for wiping oil and other fluids away, and some nitrile gloves

This is in addition to the jack, handle and spinner hammer. There's plenty of space under the boot floor for this stuff and of course it needs to be secured so as not to rattle about.

Have I missed anything?

A Porsche ?

JonB wrote:I was thinking about Ross' proposed Grand Tour (what a great idea, I'd love to do that) and wondering about the best selection of tools to carry along on a trip. So rather than hijack his thread I thought I'd start this one instead to solicit opinions.

Here's my list of "essentials":-

• Set of AF spanners.
• AF socket set with ratchet, extension, U/J and plug socket.
• Flat and Phillips screwdrivers.
• Pliers - bull nosed, bent.
• Insulation and duct tape.
• Spare fuses and bulbs.
• Rolls of wire - black, red, green. Some connectors and a crimping tool.
• Battery powered inspection lamp or torch (might keep that in the glove box).
• Spare split pins
• A rag or two, for wiping oil and other fluids away, and some nitrile gloves

This is in addition to the jack, handle and spinner hammer. There's plenty of space under the boot floor for this stuff and of course it needs to be secured so as not to rattle about.

Have I missed anything?

I wouldn't go anywhere without these: a 12v voltage test probe, and a flexible hose clip socket.

Yes,
You should also bring a fan belt, a throttle cable, road flares, a few spare bulbs. I also bring a spare Bean water pump insert but that is only if you have one of the new Bean front covers. I also bring spare top and bottom Rad hoses and a spare fuel pump.

Edit,.....I also bring some sort of plastic tape to fix a leaky or split coolant hose.

Tony V

Tywraps, lockwire, lockwire pliers, ratchet straps (if things really start letting go) sausage of 2 part epoxy putty.

Various pieces of wire, crimps and crimp tool.

Brake hose clamp (in extremis)

Turd type radweld.

Can of tyre repair foam.

Self amalgalamating tape, thick guage aluminium helicopter repair tape if you can find it.

Collapsable bucket (for draining and saving fluids in emergency)

Points & condensor (tested) etc to revert to standard ignition or spare set.

Battery jump leads, fuel siphon hose.

None of the above is Lotus specific, its the sort of stuff that still inhabits my long unused race toolbox.

Just mobile phone to ring breakdown firm!
They'll even take you to journey's end - not sure cross continental trip would be covered though.
Seriously, I think I'll stick to jack and spinner hammer.

I found a pretty good/cheap toolkit:
https://www.cyclegear.com/accessories/s ... e-tool-kit

So I carry that, my old rotor+cap+leads+condenser, new spark plugs, tyre repair can (I am missing a spare wheel) , multi-meter.

I figure pretty much every decent sized town in the US has a car parts place where should be able to cobble I enough bit to get it running unless it's something major. I do pay for the top tear of hagerty recovery (which I've only used to recover my daily driver a coupel of miles home)

I feel sort of ashamed here guys. As President of Lotus Ltd, I should have included that you join Lotus Ltd and bring the Lotus Ltd roster with you. I have used that many times over the years to call a member local to where I have broken down for a helping hand. And they always have helped. A few times even bringing a trailer out to take me back to their homes...for a good meal and a great garage to work in.

Get the bus....you know it makes sence

All of them! With your luck Jon, all of them!

Seriously though Duct tape!

Jump leads and a tow rope?
Joking apart, what about the essential spares you should always carry with you?
Most seem to have already been listed above, but a selection of nuts, bolts washers and screws are up there in my top ten, remember a Lotus is a collectors car, you collect the bits that fall off! Hence the need for an assortment box of them!

Okay they?re not tools but don?t forget your fluids!
- Engine oil
- Diff/Gearbox oil
- Brake fluid
- coolant / water
- Grease
- WD40
- Petrol (only if your fuel gauge is dodgy in my opinion).

Obviously at this point there is no space for any other luggage so you need to wear all your clothes.

Best Steve

Most of the above but if you're Elaning by Stromberg take a spare diaphragm or two and a couple of manifold O rings.

I also have a small Elan only multimeter that sits in my spares /tools box in the middle of the spare wheel. Size of a cigarette packet (remember those) so easy to pack

Wow! .....some people don?t have a lot of faith in their cars do they (rhetorical question btw)

Stevie-Heathie wrote:Obviously at this point there is no space for any other luggage so you need to wear all your clothes.

..........or you could do something like this