We're upgrading the car with a stainless steel header and 2" exhaust system.
First problem: the car uses the early-type transverse muffler. No one stocks or manufactures these anymore (UK or North America), which means we need to have one fabricated. Barry worked his magic and had one made today!
The car should sound great!
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Ordering engine parts
New engine internals (Cosworth pistons, bearings, valves, springs, sprockets, etc.) ordered from Dave Bean Engineering. Goal is to build a "stage 1" engine - roughly ~140hp.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
New starter solenoid & lots of cleaning
Replaced starter solenoid with new unit.
Scrubbed & cleaned horn for 2 hrs. Had lots of overspray on it, now gone - looks much better!
Scrubbed & cleaned horn for 2 hrs. Had lots of overspray on it, now gone - looks much better!
Removed steering u-joint. New ball-bearing unit in.
Removed steering rack brackets. Cleaned & painted with POR-15.
Respraying the engine bay
At some point, someone did a DIY paint job on the car and did cover/tape off the engine bay. So there is yellow paint on all the wires & components. The "black edge" of the engine bay also looks horrible.
Spent a lot of time taping everything off and respraying the back of the bay...
Spent a lot of time taping everything off and respraying the back of the bay...
Engine tear-down progress
Block has been sonically tested. Overbore to 83.5mm should be good.
Ordered new clutch & transmission parts from RD Enterprises.
Looking for new exhaust system. First problem is the car has a early-type transverse muffler. These are not even available in the UK. Will have to have something manufactured.
Head & crank tested
Good news on the engine. Head & crank are in excellent shape. Block has been over-bored; needs sonic testing to see if there is enough "meat" on it to go to 1600ccs.
Friday, August 8, 2014
Car appraised & "hard to find" black Lotus horn button arrives
Waiting on the machine shop.
Had the car appraised for vehicle registration & insurance.
Genuine black & silver horn button arrives.
Barry has taken rad into the shop to be re-cored; will also add thermostat/fan switch. Should improve efficiency and stick with the goal of keeping the car original.
Had the car appraised for vehicle registration & insurance.
Genuine black & silver horn button arrives.
Barry has taken rad into the shop to be re-cored; will also add thermostat/fan switch. Should improve efficiency and stick with the goal of keeping the car original.
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Cooling system ideas & new parts arrive
Researching radiators - the +2 uses a wide Triumph Spitfire model, with the top inlet rotated 180 degs. Aluminum would be nice, but having difficulty finding someone who will do the modifications. A thicker (3 row) or denser core would be best. Also looking for thermostat (installed) to drive a fan.
Another package from RD Enterprises arrives (thanks Ray!). New steering u-joint, standard oil pump, filter and other odds and ends.
Moroso Breather Tank arrives from Amazon. Wrong model (wanted 1 port, not 2 port!) - but will work.
Another package from RD Enterprises arrives (thanks Ray!). New steering u-joint, standard oil pump, filter and other odds and ends.
Moroso Breather Tank arrives from Amazon. Wrong model (wanted 1 port, not 2 port!) - but will work.
Monday, August 4, 2014
Some eBay wins
Found two gold nuggets. An original black (Jim Clark) horn button on buy-sell forum and an original indicator stalk (to replace the broken one).
Everyone needs a bit of a rest. Engine should be "on the line" this week.
Everyone needs a bit of a rest. Engine should be "on the line" this week.
Removing the gearbox
Pulled gearbox - used rolling jacks to pull forward, hooked up to hoist, jacked car up, lowered & pulled out from under passenger side wheel. Remember to disconnect the stick inside the car!
Removed & discarded old muffler. Was in decent shape, but we had to cut it to pull the engine.
Started cleaning the engine bay and gearbox. Years of oil and grime. I would describe it as character building.
Removed & discarded old muffler. Was in decent shape, but we had to cut it to pull the engine.
Started cleaning the engine bay and gearbox. Years of oil and grime. I would describe it as character building.
Lots of cleaning
Barry painted engine bay flat black. Car had very bad paint job at some point, and there are runs, etc. Not possible to clean up with body still on chassis - this is about as good as it gets - purists & concours snobs might object, most enthusiasts will not notice.
New alternator arrives & broken indicator stalk
New alternator (NipponDenso A14684) has arrived. Will need custom bracket, but lighter weight and higher output (55 amps) than old. Internal regulator lets us discard the existing (antique) unit.
Barry has taken the head to the machine shop and is stripping the block. Machine shop thinks the head has been skimmed before. It also looks like it has been ported and polished. Will know more when they get a chance to inspect next week.
Block & crank look good - probably just rings that have worn out. Hope to identify as 'L' block, and bore out to 1650ccs.
Bob discovers indicator stalk has been glued together. Works erratically. Sourced Land Rover series III unit from UK. Original is from a Ford Cortina MkII - hard to find.
Barry has taken the head to the machine shop and is stripping the block. Machine shop thinks the head has been skimmed before. It also looks like it has been ported and polished. Will know more when they get a chance to inspect next week.
Block & crank look good - probably just rings that have worn out. Hope to identify as 'L' block, and bore out to 1650ccs.
Bob discovers indicator stalk has been glued together. Works erratically. Sourced Land Rover series III unit from UK. Original is from a Ford Cortina MkII - hard to find.
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