traveler501 Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 hi, guys I've been hanging around here for about a year now, watching Croc's ongoing list and looking for the right 7. I think I've found it…that funny turquoise car from a few weeks back. I'm calling it a "replica" because he built the frame and sheet metal with supposedly original Lotus 2/3 plans and then installed a Cortina GT drivetrain (1970) with the crossflow head (so a 2 1/2?). I've just received it…can't even drive it until I get the Weber rejetted for my local elevation (4300 ft). But I'm pretty stoked! I have a bunch of questions already, and I hope you'll help me out getting my feet wet... but first just wanted to share early pics with everyone! John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
traveler501 Posted November 21, 2015 Author Share Posted November 21, 2015 a couple more pics... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmustang Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 Congratulations.......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 Great color/car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 Its a color combination that I would not have thought worked but it really does work well - just lovely. Many happy miles of driving John! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 I'm a minimalist, and am all in on the bare aluminum interior…great looking car. Congratulations on the purchase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrorider Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 Looks like fun to me !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
traveler501 Posted November 21, 2015 Author Share Posted November 21, 2015 Thanks for all the nice comments. About the color, it's not a color I would have chosen/expected to work but oddly enough, it's a popular color here in Sedona. The local McDonalds even have arches that color. Plus I'm hoping it will look "friendly" to the cops when they catch me having a bit too much fun. I managed to get a short blast around the block before the plugs started to foul (running very rich at this elevation)…and the car is even more fun than I remembered. I'm smitten! (and my TR6 is feeling insecure) John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Off Road SHO Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 As in Sedona AZ? Cool! Another Seven in the state..Let me know if you want to run Highway 89 through White Spar. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
traveler501 Posted November 23, 2015 Author Share Posted November 23, 2015 hi, Tom Pretty cool you're so close…and yes, 89 would be fun once I get up and running! (btw, my brother lives near you in Carefree). Since you're in essentially the same climate….want to field a question? This Lotus doesn't have a choke, and also isn't running a thermostat (just a plate with a small hole in it). My first impulse is to get both choke and thermostat…and for that matter add a thermostatically controlled fan instead of the on/off switch. However, I'd like to know what you're doing…what's working for you? I'd appreciate any thoughts... John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Off Road SHO Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 (edited) My Superformance S-1 has a 160 degree thermostat (a new one) but I am having trouble with it running hot (at least indicating hot, it doesn't boil over) but I think it is an air flow and not water flow problem. The cowl intake is very restrictive on the S-1. A washer instead of a thermostat is old school hot rodding solution, simple and once you determine the correct hole size, dependable. I don't like them because it takes forever for your engine to warm up because the water pump is always sending enough coolant through the radiator to cool the engine under the most extreme conditions. Causes the engine to run so cool that the intake won't heat up enough to warm the fuel air charge for good mixing. I'd put in a thermostat. Has the choke plate been removed or just wired open? Is it the old single barrel carb or the dual? Let me know if I can help. I live just 2 miles south of Carefree and another S-1 owner lives in Carefree. Tom Edited November 23, 2015 by Off Road SHO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
traveler501 Posted November 24, 2015 Author Share Posted November 24, 2015 hi, Tom I appreciate your comments. In my case, it's the dual throat 32DFD carb and the choke plate has been completely removed (!) I agree with your thoughts on the "hot rod" trick and not warming up quickly…even more of a problem at this elevation (cooler weather). I'll definitely get a thermostat…also waiting for new Weber jetting in the mail. We'll see how it goes. And thanks for the offer of help…I will surely have more questions *grin* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Off Road SHO Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 Do you have any info as to what cars that carb might have been installed on in the States? I might be able to look in some of our wrecking yards in Phoenix to snag a choke plate and cable assembly or the entire carb. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
traveler501 Posted November 30, 2015 Author Share Posted November 30, 2015 (edited) hi, Tom sorry I'm late in responding, apparently I still don't have the "notice by email when you have post" working yet. Very kind offer, I appreciate it. I think that 1970 Ford Cortina GT's came with this carb (32 DFD) and they had a single choke plate over the primary. If you happen to find one that would be great, but please don't go to any trouble. I've since rejected the carb and it's running much better. A choke would be a nice thing to have, but I'm finding I can live without it. I also got a 160 thermostat installed per our previous conversation. Tomorrow the motor gets an oil change (just turned 500 miles since the rebuild) and the valves adjusted. I'm loving the car…thanks again for the offer! John Edited November 30, 2015 by traveler501 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDingo8MyBaby Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 It's typical with webers that a few pumps of the throttle pedal is all that's needed. Weber chokes always tend to flood the engine. That's a very nice car you have there. With that configuration crossflow, it's very similar to a Lotus Series 3 seven. The front suspension has a lot of the right caterham/lotus bits, even if the fiberglass isn't quite right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
traveler501 Posted December 1, 2015 Author Share Posted December 1, 2015 hi, Dingo Thanks for the carb info…I was talking with Pierce Manifolds today and pricing the parts to complete the choke assy. FYI it would be about $50-60 for new parts, but based on your comment I'm going to let it go. It's in the high 20's here and I find I can still start it with about 4 pumps (which is amazing). So there's that. Good eye, btw…the front end bits are all Caterham, but the frp is Curtis Unlimited. I think the builder was going for a 2 1/2 style and that's why he went with the downdraft DFD. Curiously though he had the dual Weber manifold and included it in the sale. I'm going to just enjoy the car for a while, but may go with the DCOE's in time. I'm open to suggestion on that, if anyone has comments pro or con. I assume a bump in power, but wonder about the added complexity. Also I'll only be driving on the street so probably have no need for the power. They look great though (!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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