Lotus 7 Project Arrived

[ianashdown]

16 minutes ago, SENC said:

DCOE2s are what the S2s that came with them had, and those numbers are close enough together they are likely a matching pair.  Must have been picked up from another Seven by the PO?  Great luck!

 

EDIT - I found after rebuilding mine that a differently angled butterfly aided in getting the progression holes coming in as designed.  I think all that is in my 65 S2 thread, but happy to go back to my notes if you need/want.

I’ll have to go seek out that thread!

 

Ian

[Christopher smith]

7 minutes ago, ianashdown said:

Really?  This is a surprise!  I just assumed, we know what assume stands for -right?, that all the instruments would be Smiths.

 

I will post the pics.  Thank you for mentioning this!

 

Ian

I had really tough times trying to sort out pedal and master cylinder configurations and hand brake. I gave up on Lotus originality and went Tilton for pedals and cylinders ( with bias bar adjustment for front vs. rear). We finally sorted out how Lotus intended the hand brake as I had given up on the idea of serious racing and therefore got an antique designation for street use. I can send a couple photos if interested but my S1 is RHD with the hand brake lever above the passenger knee area but can still reach it with harness on.

[ianashdown]

7 minutes ago, Christopher smith said:

I had really tough times trying to sort out pedal and master cylinder configurations and hand brake. I gave up on Lotus originality and went Tilton for pedals and cylinders ( with bias bar adjustment for front vs. rear). We finally sorted out how Lotus intended the hand brake as I had given up on the idea of serious racing and therefore got an antique designation for street use. I can send a couple photos if interested but my S1 is RHD with the hand brake lever above the passenger knee area but can still reach it with harness on.

I know I unloaded the pedal/ master cylinder assembly with the cast aluminum mounting bracket, so it’s here somewhere.  It’ll be a place to start.  I am worried that I may be missing the handbrake, I believe they are next to impossible to find.  I don’t know if the wiper motor had an industry source, but I haven’t given up hope it’ll be in some box yet to be unpacked.

 

Ian

[ianashdown]

39 minutes ago, straightcut said:

If you would, post up pics of the AC gauges.  The Series II did use AC ammeter, temperature and oil pressure gauges.

 

Congrats on the Weber carburetor(s) score!

I found some pics on Google that show AC and SW gauges!  Was there a definitive spec or was if flexible depending on supply availability?

 

My dash looks to be un-modified, I even found the red vinyl underneath the green later added cover.

 

Ian

 

[straightcut]

[straightcut]

I don't know of Stewart Warner being a factory supplied gauge - not to my knowledge.  The pictures above are what I believe to be the correct gauges - now there's a caveat - I could easily be incorrect.

 

If you want to preserve originality, you may want to try to retain the original red Lamiplate of the dash.  I have some red Lamiplate side panels that were painted black that I'm going to try to strip the black spray paint from.  I'm sure there will be plenty of patina if they're save-able at all. 

[ianashdown]

1 hour ago, straightcut said:

I don't know of Stewart Warner being a factory supplied gauge - not to my knowledge.  The pictures above are what I believe to be the correct gauges - now there's a caveat - I could easily be incorrect.

 

If you want to preserve originality, you may want to try to retain the original red Lamiplate of the dash.  I have some red Lamiplate side panels that were painted black that I'm going to try to strip the black spray paint from.  I'm sure there will be plenty of patina if they're save-able at all. 

I found those pictures too.  SW seems unlikely as OE.  Much more likely as a U.S. replacement.  I think I have a Smiths chronometric Tach that will fit, that might be fun!  I’m going to hit the books to see if there are any part numbers listed.

 

Here are what I have.

 

Ian

 

I’ve just realized that this Tach is electronically driven, not mechanical.  My Chronometric will be mechanically driven and I’m not sure if I could get a mechanical drive from this engine, the Cam I think.  There must be a way, I just am not aware of how.

 

Ian

Edited June 11, 2023 by ianashdown

[ianashdown]

Here is my dash.  You can see the red vinyl under the green.  The green is really stuck on there, I think it will be difficult to remove it without damaging the red.  Also, if I am able to preserve the red vinyl it kinda limits my eventual color choices for the car.  On the assumption that I cannot save the red vinyl, i may explore black leather dash, outer side panels, seats etc. with the color piping to highlight the car color.

 

I’m undecided on the eventual car color.  It was originally white from the factory, and I actually think they look pretty good in white.  Pale yellow, Lotus yellow and red are all my favorite, depending on the day!  Then there is the decision of how much, if any, alloy remains.

 

I did hear the the vinyl faced steel has been reproduced by someone in the UK, so replacing the whole dash might be an option.

 

Ian

[SENC]

The amp, temp, and oil pressure gauges look right to me  I can look for #s in mine if you'd like.  I seem to recall a reference to the wiper motor and use in other vehicles somewhere - will scour my notes when I can.

[SENC]

This might be useful - an extract from a Lucas parts reference book.  Includes the wiper motor numbers which do appear available on ebay.

 

[IamScotticus]

there are brake line locks that can act as a parking brake 

The covered aluminum is a product called Lamiplate.

I looked at the current equivalent offerings and they are not produced in small pieces.  I think an adhesive backed vinyl is the way now.

Edited June 11, 2023 by IamScotticus

[SENC]

Totally forgot to add when posting last night, but I suspect Redline will have what you need for the handbrake.  I'm pretty sure I recall reading that Caterham continued with that brake design for a bit, thus my thinking parts are likely available.  If not, it's not a terribly complicated design - essentially a cable levering the rear Triumph brake drums - and wouldn't be hard to figure out I think.

 

Do you have the Tony Weale book?  If not, order it pronto- it is a very useful reference and also helpful with identifying parts from other cars and when parts changes occurred 

[7Westfield]

this is how you get mech tach drive     I assume this will fit the older blocks as well 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/392053020391?hash=item5b482e56e7:g:QJ8AAOSwwAdbC4KP&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4K%2FPGbMC3slYrLjD7zi717xXSgtb5nh02Z%2FUToc5JeQacLiu5%2FFZko7%2BfEqxeaNXLD9jgMC1VfnYpEv4cfswTxZXL%2Fc702xrptOSap2wdSo17PBpFOzVHIviuYfaVbir3iL70RuJCYD20P4czj3l6pvBSxrv2OfX1Q7qxogypl0SbbVnG8tz1mO59nsMZCXy9Uw%2FIwS4raSkVCslAU2B8eqZkZEsblF46g3jQ9T7pVSM6XwHu7YT4MbgIJi3q5DQBJW4du8owlaxJUq95gp%2B2UzMXTWfXUiWX%2BX%2FCalpN5zg|tkp%3ABk9SR-yuo6uVYg

 

same seller has the gearbox as well

I probably have one I'd sell too, but can't get to those boxes right now

 

best have your Smith's unit tested first  I think they are very expensive to rebuild, so you might not want to use it

I don't even know who to send it to, now that Nisonger has quit the repair biz

Edited June 11, 2023 by 7Westfield

[MV8]

It looks like the hand brake loads the end of the spiral cable housing, with the cable end fixed, with adjustment at the tee where each wheels brake cable come together near the axle.

[ianashdown]

1 hour ago, 7Westfield said:

this is how you get mech tach drive     I assume this will fit the older blocks as well 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/392053020391?hash=item5b482e56e7:g:QJ8AAOSwwAdbC4KP&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4K%2FPGbMC3slYrLjD7zi717xXSgtb5nh02Z%2FUToc5JeQacLiu5%2FFZko7%2BfEqxeaNXLD9jgMC1VfnYpEv4cfswTxZXL%2Fc702xrptOSap2wdSo17PBpFOzVHIviuYfaVbir3iL70RuJCYD20P4czj3l6pvBSxrv2OfX1Q7qxogypl0SbbVnG8tz1mO59nsMZCXy9Uw%2FIwS4raSkVCslAU2B8eqZkZEsblF46g3jQ9T7pVSM6XwHu7YT4MbgIJi3q5DQBJW4du8owlaxJUq95gp%2B2UzMXTWfXUiWX%2BX%2FCalpN5zg|tkp%3ABk9SR-yuo6uVYg

 

same seller has the gearbox as well

I probably have one I'd sell too, but can't get to those boxes right now

 

best have your Smith's unit tested first  I think they are very expensive to rebuild, so you might not want to use it

I don't even know who to send it to, now that Nisonger has quit the repair biz

Hi,

 

Thats what I had imagined!  Easy enough to modify the original part if needed.  I have a few of the gearboxes and can get parts made easily so I think this could be done.

 

There are a few people who can refurbish Smiths gauges, that one definitely needs rebuilding, but I didn’t know Nisonger had stopped the repair side.  I’ve used them several times, they did very nice work.

 

Ian

Edited June 11, 2023 by ianashdown

[ianashdown]

It would appear my three small gauges, Amps, oil pressure and water temp are all correct for my car, but in sad condition.

 

Does anyone know who, in the US preferably, can refurbish these instruments.  These are something I could send away for reconditioning with not time pressure.  On the topic of AC instruments, does anyone know anything about the company?  Do the still exist, what country are/were they.  Every time I try to search online all I get is air conditioning gauges!

 

This means that I still need to find the Smiths Speedometer and Tachometer (Rev Counter).  I do have the chronometric Tach that I could use, and I think it would be quite cool, but not original and needing some work to make the mechanical drive connection, but maybe I can find one of the new Smiths Classic gauges that look right-ish, if I can’t find the actual correct ones.

 

Ian

 

 

[straightcut]

 

The early tachs were cable driven from the generator, so that could be an option to explore.  The Smiths tach isn't difficult to find on eBayUK - search:  Smiths Mini Cooper rev counter square number.  You'll immediately get some hits, but I'm sure additional digging will provide more results.  I did see one NOS tach!

 

You'll probably need to rebuild the tach if only to switch it from positive ground to negative ground.  I purchased from Spiyda:

https://spiyda.com/smiths-rvi-rvc-conversion-board.html  They also have a YouTube channel outlining the conversion.

 

Finding the AC temperature gauge was a real win - those are hens teeth.  Regarding gauge rebuilding, you could check Mo-Ma Mfg in Albuquerque, NM https://momamanufacturing.com/  They recently sold to new owners, so I don't know how they're getting along now.  They had a good reputation prior to the sale.

 

Regarding the dash Lamiplate, Tony Ingram http://www.lotus7.com/Home.html said in the past that he carried the red vinyl material for the upholstery that could be used to cover a dash that was generally the correct texture and color as the Lamiplate.  You can also check with Xtra Special Sevens to see if they have any options for you:

http://www.lotus7.com/Home.html  

 

AC gauges - it was just my assumption that the AC gauges used by Lotus were an AC - England affiliate of AC in the US, much like Ford and EnFo.  I never researched it or learned the official history, so just a guess on my part. 

 

Mark

Edited June 11, 2023 by straightcut

[toldfield]

I’ve used Nisonger Instruments and been happy with their work.

 

http://www.nisonger.com/

[ianashdown]

2 hours ago, toldfield said:

I’ve used Nisonger Instruments and been happy with their work.

 

http://www.nisonger.com/

I’ve used Nisonger too and was very happy with the results.  Unfortunately, according to their website, they are not doing repair work since the building where the repairs were done was 6’ under water when the last big storm blew though there last year.  
 

I’ve also used North Hollywood Speedo with good results, but I don’t know if they will do AC.  I’ll call soon to find out.

 

Ian

[ianashdown]

The last of the boxes was unpacked today.  There was a moment of elation when I found the Handbrake lever! 

 

But after thinking for a minute, I don’t think this is the correct lever for this car!  Talk about an emotional roller-coaster!  
 

There are so many MGTD parts mixed in with the 7 parts, some really nice parts too, and given the MOWOG marking, I assumed it was from an MG TD but looking at images on line it doesn’t seem to be.  Now I’m confused!

 

Can anyone confirm that this is NOT a 7 handbrake?

 

More photos of todays hoard a little later.

 

Ian
 

 

 

 

Edited June 12, 2023 by ianashdown