SENC

Finally got tools and cars relocated in a new storage and "toy shop" space a friend and I have taken, so can get back to tuning and tweaking on the Seven (and back to valve and shim dx on the Elan) - but one step forward and another back... Took the Seven for a bit of a drive yesterday to reset my thoughts on how it is running, and though the engine is running pretty well I had a clutch slip when shifting to 4th at high revs from 3rd. Was able to replicate and identify the slip is only at higher revs, >4k or so. As it is a new (old stock) clutch disk and pressure plate, I'm thinking I either have some oil/grease contaminating it or that the release bearing is bad. You may recall that, upon getting it back on the road, I had some bearing noise upon full clutch depression that stopped after a hundred miles or so. As it was a NOS bearing, I had hopes that old, dried bearing grease had just needed to warm and soften, but I'm questioning that now. Either way, I suspect I'll need to oull the engine again to fully diagnose, though I may try to look around with a boroscope to see if anything obvious sticks out. I'd welcome any other thoughts.

Sean's post reminded me of a what the original owner of my Seven shared with me. Her husband bought and had it built in 65, not long before their first child. A couple years later they drove it through Norway and Germany (in a snowstorm) with the little one (and her pregnant, as I recall) and were headed south towards Greece when one of them became sick so they cut through France and back to the UK. In 68 they moved to Australia, taking the Seven with them. Hubby drove the sedan for work, so for a year before selling it she would drive the Seven with the 2 boys (4-5 and 2-3) sharing the front seat and newborn daughter in a bassinet she'd put in the back. It didn't have any seat belts, nor does it now. Different times, places, and risks than today for sure - a bit like how most of us grew up in the back reverse facing seat of a Custom Cruiser, or in the middle of the front bench seat of a pickup.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2001-caterham-superlite-3/ This one is in Wilmington. I don't know the car, but if anyone comes to town to look at it drop me a note and perhaps we can connect.

Keep me posted, please. I'm taking mine to WVa for the Lotus Owners Group gathering in September and then have a S Texas trip in early October so might be more than I can pull off, but would love to join if I can. Henry (Wilmington NC)

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1962-lotus-super-seven-4/

New detent springs are readily available if needed, but you can also shim them with small washers. The goal is to have the spring top extend 8.5-9.5mm above the face of the lid (iirc).

The release bearings are available from the major Lotus suppliers (RD Enterprises and Dave Bean in the US, Kelvedon, SJSportscars, TTR, Sue Miller in the UK). I suspect yours is the flat faced bearing, but that depends on the clutch housing and may require the round faced bearing. I don't think you'll know that for sure until you get into the bellhousing and see what you have currently (you may be able to get a boroscope into the clutch release arm hole in the belhousing to id the bearing and clutch housing type). Following are the original part numbers for the flat faced bearing in case you can find some old stock anywhere - some of the new chinese repros didn't last long for others, as a warning. Original Manufacturer Number Ford 105E7580 Ford 105E7580B RHP 6W 1 3/8 FAG 508458 Timken 1375 FKC 6W 1 3/8 SKF 408504

Here is the link to the first disassembly video - did that in 4 parts, and a couple for reassembly. You should find them after finding this one.

It looks like the standard gearbox (2000e series) from the Cortina and Elan. These are pretty simple to work on but requires engine and gearbox out to work on and rebuild. I've rebuilt 2 in the last couple of years (with limited previous experience, so not difficult). I uploaded some videos to YouTube of my first one, disassembly and reassembly - will try to find the links and post them, but you may be able to search for Elan gearbox and find them. The lotuselan.net website has a wealth of information on these, and I have some threads there on my rebuild, too. Another participant there, "promotor", is extremely knowledgeable and helpful - would recommend you join and post questions there, too. To your specific problem, if you can get to the shifter in your tunnel, one thing to be aware of is that the dome can be too tight (should be a small gasket between it and the mount) or too loose, either of which can cause selection problems. A dab of loctite can keep it from loosening. But if you need to replace the clutch release bearing it is probably a good idea to go ahead and take it all out and open things up for inspection and possible rebuild. PM me if you want to connect or need any help. Henry

It is typically the responsibility of the buyer to pay import duties... but I've rarely had any imposed unless a quite significant item. When I ship something the other way, I label it "parts for repai/refurbishment" to avoid such on the other end - I learned this when shipping a distributor for repair.

Thanks for sharing, I left about that time as I didn't see much value, may rejoin if back on the upswing.

Is anyone else here planning to go to LOG in West Virginia in September?

Another lovely day for a drive... beginning to get it dialed in and quite satisfactory!

Looks and sounds great, well bought!

looks great!

🤣🤣🤣

@chuet - that is an S3 body style, not an S4 body style. No, the unit number on the chassis plate and frame number would not be the same - they were individually numbered (at least during the Lotus run). If the chassis/unit number is later than 2649, it would likely be an S3 made by Caterham or a replica that got fitted with Lotus badges (not unusual). Someone else here may recognize some of the bits in the picture and be able to help - but the rear lights, dashboard, and position of the gas filler all suggest to me it was either not built by Lotus or was changed later. To your S4 question, there were few than 700 built I think - so the Lotus numbering would end in the 3300s, I think.

Chris - are you going to LOG in West Virginia this Fall?

Later S2s and S3s were built at Hethel/Norwich. I would expect the frame number to be stamped on the frame near the master cylinder mount (assuming right hand drive). Post some pictures of the car and we may be able to help with ID, but the best way to be certain is to reach out to John Watson with the details of the car that you know. You can find his contact information at the Lotus Seven Registry website.

And here I've been thinking traction control and launch control was a function of the right foot! Cool stuff, thanks for sharing!

If it won't fit, it won't work for you - but don't let the wheels off bit turn you off... that just requires a bit of blocking. I use my floor jack, sometimes with an extra block if I need more height, to lift then block across the span.

https://www.shoppok.com/sanmarcos/a,43,199518,Kwik-Lift----600--San-Marcos-.htm

Will try to grab some better pictures. but here are 2 I have on this computer that will give you an idea...

I have the kwik-lift and am very happy with it - my Seven lives on it. Just drive up then lift the ramp with my jack.