She's a runner

After sitting for 28 years, and 1.5 years of restoration, I took the Lotus on it's maiden drive. It's running rough, but it completed it's first short journey.

Some pictures to mark the occasion:

Accuspark to the rescue

After installing the new PowerLite starter motor, the Lotus would not fire. The engine would pop and splutter, but I discovered there was no spark on cylinders 1 and 4.

The absence of spark is probably my own fault. I knocked the Pertronix distributor cap askew while installing a NOS Smiths "oil pressure" sending unit last month. I ordered a new cap & rotor, but there is a 5 week wait!

A friend suggested I should try the Accuspark ignition system. They just released a Lucas 23D distributor / ignition kit that fits the Lotus Twin Cam engine, so I ordered one from: http://www.accuspark.co.uk/distributors.html

The kit arrived in 3 business days and took about 2 hours to install. It comes with a new distributor, wires, coil and spark plugs. You do need to solder low tension leads on, but installation is straight forward. The Lotus fired up on the third pull.

Thank you Accuspark!

Accuspark_instructions.pdf

New PowerLite starter motor

It's been ages since my last update. Rest assured, the +2 project is still ongoing...

At the beginning of September, I installed the rebuilt carbs and tried to start the car - only to find the new starter motor was making a terrible grinding noise. After checking the ring-gear, we determined the starter was dead so I ordered a new PowerLite unit from Kelvedon Lotus in the UK. It arrived this afternoon and my plan is to install it today.