Engine rebuild underway & color research

Engine rebuild underway (@ Twin City machine shop).

Some research notes...

Replacing sills. Found a good write-up @ http://elanplus2.webs.com/repairsandupgrades.htm

Engine color: "The closest is a Massey Ferguson Stoneleigh Grey enamel, to which you need to add a little blue enamel, all according to Miles Wilkins." Or  "Gray enamel."

Valve color is "Crinkle red."

Update 1: Chevy Red is very close to the original Crinkle Red.
Update 2: "New Ford Gray" is a good match for the original long block color. 

"It's in the mail"

Ken at Dave Bean Engineering emailed to say that the header and idler tensioner sprocket have shipped!

You may remember the indicator stalk was broken & glued back together. It was giving Bob a lot of trouble, and it was beyond saving. So I went on a mission to find a replacement.

I found Land Rover still uses the Lucas 119 stalk in the Discovery (?). In North America, it's a $200 part, in the UK it's a $25 part. So guess what? I ordered one from the UK.

The very next day, I found a used Cortina MK2 indicator stalk on eBay. This is the very same model used in the Elan. I snapped it up.

Both arrived without drama. And, of course, neither one of them had the correct (bullet) connectors.

Bob took both units apart and examined them. The Land Rover stalk has some major improvements (inside and out) so we decided to go with it. He clipped the ends off, added the bullet connectors, and put everything back together. It's a very nice upgrade and works perfectly.

New chrome for the bumper and wheel nuts

New bumper is back - new chrome looks great!

Thinking about getting the knock-offs done...

New camshafts arrive, new pump in, looking for new interior trim

Slow going --- waiting for parts.

Camshafts and new tappets arrived from Burton Power in the UK. So engine rebuild can continue.

Barry has taken the front bumper in for re-chroming; and had a new water pump pressed into the front housing.

I've started making inquiries about the interior components (roof liner, dash, carpets, etc.).

Ordering engine parts from the UK

Cancelled old camshaft order. Re-ordered Fast Road Camshafts (280 duration & 380 lift) from Burton Power. Hope these arrive next week.

New pistons arrive & improving the radiator

Been slow going. Family & work committments.

Also waiting for engine & misc. parts to arrive. The biggest hold-up is the camshafts. I ordered Lotus "Sprint" spec. cams because they provide the best low-end torque / power. Most shops are offering auto-cross & full race cams...

But the Cosworth pistons are here and they look great. Much lighter & slightly higher compression.

Barry picked up the radiator. Added extra row, higher density core and added thermostat to run a push fan. Should keep the new motor nice and cool.