Timothy Keith-Lucas

Sorry, duplicate

Yep. Beginner, but learning with your help. AWWWLLRRRIGGHT!! New paint, rough like the original. Replaced the generator with an alternator, 14.45 V at idle speed - now I can ride with my headlights on. New leather straps, new red slip covers over the 1962 upholstery. Soaked the cooling system in vinegar for 24 hours. Extended the roll bar to cover both seats. Annnndd, mysteriously, she now idles where she should. It's a gorgeous 75 degree sunny day in north Florida, and I'm going for a ride. I'm sorry, but I can't figure out how to flip the photo. I even tried flipping the file before , and it still puts it in upside down.

Many thanks for bunches of helpful replies. You guys are great at supporting a beginner. The slip covers are complete and on the old upholstery, an alternator is on order, and now I can move to figuring out the tachometer and the idle adjustment. It's a beautiful 72 degree sunny day, so a cruise is definitely called for.

1. I'm tired of messing with the generator on my Sprite 1962 engine. Has any one got a recommendation for an alternator to replace it? 2. Is there a source of radiators that tell you the dimensions, rather than asking for your make/model so you can find one that fits? Particularly, one that adds some cooling capacity to make up the difference between U.K. ambient and Florida ambient? Many thanks in advance.

1962 Lotus 7 Nope. After 70 MPH it starts to lift off in front. They don't call them "wings" for nothing. I'm going to add flaps for lower speed landings. Yep. Corners like a scared rabbit. Send your Ford F-150 into the ditch. Hell, send your Camaro into the ditch. Yep. Original, save for the windscreen and muffler. No, not really. Imagine being in an accident while driving a Coke can, with a steel rod aimed at your chest. About 43 HP, but about 963 pounds. 0-60? Beat your Harley.

Extensive experience with small engine (largely motorcycle) carbs, but no experience with anything resembling these SUs. I read "Tuning SU carburetor for Idiots" and found that the unfamiliar terminology meant that I could not understand what was being explained. It's pretty bad when you can't follow the "for idiots" instructions. I'm in the middle of painting my 7; new BRG with a touch of flattener to keep it from looking repainted. Once that's done, I'll return to the carbs and the tach, which is a model that even "Clocks for Classics" has not seen before. Thank you to everyone who has lent a hand to me above. I'll post pictures of the linkage upon a return. Were 7 America's delivered painted or bare? The original paint job on SB1160 was very poorly done, right down to water drops under the paint and streaked sanding. I can't imagine the factory doing this bad a job.

Thank you, MV8 and wdb. Those points give me lots of ways of chasing it down. Largely, you are telling me that something is keeping the throttle plate or the choke plate open a bit. I ca explore that. Thanks also for the advanced course on coolant system clearing. The thermostat does appear to be working - at 160 F the coolant starts circulating. I think I'll block off the radiator and fill it with an acid cleaner for awhile, and wash the outside surfaces of the radiator fins as well.

Here's my "Getting to know my 7" question of the week. I had problems with over heating; when I finally got her home I flushed the cooling system several times and am hoping that solved that. But, possibly related (?) my idle speed is way up - about 2,000 RPM, and adjusting the idle screw (and the choke screw) all the way out doesn't change it. The throttle cable is not the problem. It's a pair of SUs on aa Austin 1098 CC engine. Is something stuck inside? Am I going to find that one or both throttle cylinders is sticking part way up? I'm inclined to believe that "Carburetor" is a French word for "You're going to regret messing with this," so I'm asking before I dig in. Thanks.

This is Florida. What is this "sub-freezing temperatures" of which you speak?

Thanks a bunch. I'll check the lubrication just to make sure. --Tim.

I love it, JB. I'm hearing impaired, and wear hearing aids. I added a muffler to SB1160. I found one to a Ford tractor that fit. She had a straight pipe for racing. In the usual case, once I accelerate my hearing aids identify a noisy environment (yeah!) and become ear plugs.

Hey, thanks, guys. That's both informative and reassuring. I was not looking forward to pulling the tranny. I've done that on other vehicles, but it's a long slow process.

Here's a simple question that reflects my ignorance. Thanks in advance. The non-synchronized first gear in my seven (1962 S2 America SB1160, Austin A engine) whines, the same sound I'm used to hearing from a reverse gear in which the gears are cut in only one direction. I don't expect to hear that going forward. Is that normal for this gear box? Am I looking at a worn bearing? The box appears to work smoothly, it just whines. Thoughts?

Where do I find John Watson?

That's an old racing tire that belonged to the first owner - it's there for show only, given there is a rack for it. It's not even inflated. Good eyes, man.

Here's a strange one for Lotus 7 trivia fans: My frame number is on a small tack welded tag on the cross frame in front of the passenger seat. The number is either 1601 or 1091, depending on whether the top of the numbers is toward the front of the car (1601) or the back (1091). The numbers are symmetrical, and the 6 could just as well be a 9. Which is it? I'm betting on 1601, top to the front.

Thank you, MV8. Aside from answering my question, you have put me onto Mr. Painter and the Lotus Seven Registry. Everything on SB1160 matches the registry specifications except the red carpet on the tranny tunnel.

Here are mine. Parallel sides. I gather these are Wingard 1055 lenses?

The tail ight lenses on my 1962 S2 America SB1160 are cracked and ugly. Moss motors has a 159-210 reproduction lens for an AH bugeye Sprite that from the picture appears to be the right one. Can anyone confirm this? Thanks. --Tim.

Wow! I came to the right place for help. Thanks soooo much! --Tim.

Oh, and add, she has two SU carbs.

Hey, folks. My data plate (1962 S2 AMERICA SB1160) lists the engine as AEA 17RS 19576, and the valve cover is labelled "AUSTIN", as in A-H Sprite. She was used for club racing (FB class) so I can't be sure that the engine was not changed out. Can anyone tell me more about my engine from that information? Displacement, HP, where to look for further engine information? Thanks a bunch.

Thanks so much for both the site and the installation tip. I wrestled mine out of the panel, and yes, it is one that their board fits. That's a better price and a simpler installation than the other boards I've been able to find. I've ordered one. I appreciate the help.

As a temporary solution while I work this out I'll install one of these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09VBBRSJQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I used one on a motorcycle that lacks a tach. They have their own button battery, and connect by simply wrapping the end of a sensor wire around a spark plug lead. The screen is big enough to read in motion, and you get engine hours when it shuts off. Damned convenient.

Nisonger stopped doing repair work after their shop was flooded by hurricane Ida. The $250 is the quote from D&M Restoration. Nisonger does have new tachs, but they don't post their prices.