Lotus weber twincam head wanted.

[ottocycle]

Hello all,

I am looking for a deal on a Weber head if anyone has or knows of one.

Also, I know there are a number of past Europa owners here and would like to know if anyone has experience with bypassing the brake servos. My Europa Special has bad servos, originals are unavailable and adaptable units are $350+ each. I find it hard to believe a 1500# car NEEDS servos. Has anyone got experience with changing the master cylinder, what size did you use and how did it feel?

 

Thanks.

[DavidL]

Hi Otto,

Yup, I had a Europa TwinCam Special for 12 years. I bought the car with the servos removed, but all the plumbing was still present. As I got it, the brakes were terrible, impossible to push hard enough to lock the front wheels. The master cylinder was the stock unit, and the servos were bypassed by simply adding two short lines in the engine compartment that replaced each servo. So The front brake line ran from the master to the back of the car, through the brake light warning switch, then back to the front wheels.

 

I eventually fixed the brakes by doing two things. First, I added EBC GreenStuff brake pads, which helped a lot. But the biggest improvement was going to a smaller bore master cylinder, same bore as the non-boosted S2 europa. this made the brakes work properly, and I could now lock the wheels. I got the new master cylinder from Rich Kampena, who has a Lotus shop in the SF Bay area (now up at Sears Point).

 

Hope that helps, -David

[James A]

Well, finding a "deal" on a twin cam head you would want is going to be difficult. The heads that are still in good shape generally go for some serious coin. In addition, to put one on your Europa will require that you have the head and cam cover machined for the alternator drive that comes out the back of the head on the Europa and the front on the Elan. Not difficult at all most any automotive machine shop can do it.

On the brakes what David said is spot on, a different master cylinder will be needed to get good brake feel.

Enjoy your Europa, I regret ever selling mine!

[ottocycle]

Thanks guys for the feedback. While not directly seven related I figured I would find some experienced owners here. DavidL, i will look for the greenstuff pads and an S2 master cylinder. Any other suggestions from anyone regarding making the Europa more enjoyable/reliable.

Cheers,

 

Dermot.

[JPS Europa]

If you really want a Weber head, probably best to have your Stromberg head modified. They machine off the ports and have a new bolt on intake.

I have rebuilt the servos on my Europa rather than go down the route of smaller MC. I dont know if the kits are still available. I will say that pedal feel with the servos is quite nice although I do agree that servos on such a light car is sort of silly. Given Colin's cheapness, I am surprised that this route was chosen.

Paul

Europa 4525R

[ottocycle]

Paul,

 

Thanks for the advice. I spoke with Dave Bean and he told me rebuild kits are not available and the servos he sells are not originals and have to be adapted to fit. So when I consider $700+ of parts that still need to be adapted I think I will keep the bad servos (perhaps someone will tool up for rebuild parts at a later date). I am thinking of a smaller master cylinder, pads and braided lines.

My car is an original 25,000 miles unmodified model that I intend to keep as original as makes financial sense. It is very clean and deserves to be kept that way. I just bought it. It has been sitting in a garage, started regularly, for 15 years. The brake pedal is on the floor and the whole car needs a good going through. I intend to replace all fluids and rubber hoses. I have no problem with reversable upgrades in the name of reliability and "drivability" but she is too nice a car to modify. It needs tires, any suggestions?

 

I do not want the head for the Europa, it is for another project.

 

Cheers,

 

Dermot.

[TheDingo8MyBaby]

Here's a head for 1600 euro + shipping (from Europe)

 

http://www.race-cars.com/partbd/messages/23639.htm

 

I'm not sure if these prices are still valid, but bean sells aluminum heads well.

 

http://www.davebean.com/specials6.htm#TCHead

 

Also - I'm still waiting on pictures of your mallock. You can email them to me and I'll post them for you at geoffcwise(at)gmail.com

Edited August 7, 2013 by TheDingo8MyBaby

[ottocycle]

"Dingo",

Thanks for the advice. I am sorry for not sending you photos of the Mallock before. Here are a few I found, but I lost a bunch during a data transfer when I changed my computer.Mallocks are great cars.

Cheers,

 

Dermot.

 

/Users/dermot/Desktop/100_1643.JPG/Users/dermot/Desktop/100_1644.JPG/Users/dermot/Desktop/100_1645.JPG

[escondidoron]

Is yours a U2?

 

Anything like my friend's?

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6114/6339134728_8837d32bb2_b.jpg

[rx7locost]

I know nothing about Europa Specials. But if you want to stay "stock" I did find this Girling MK2B rebuild kit, presumably for the Europa. Abut $195 US delivered.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lotus-Europa-Triumph-GT6-MkIII-Morgan-Plus-8-Girling-MKIIB-servo-service-kit-/321094621562?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4ac2bb197a£109.99

+ £16.00 postage

 

Master cyl seals are available at ~£25 and the big diaphragm is ~£20. Should be economical enough.......

[TheDingo8MyBaby]

Here's some pictures of ottocycle's beautiful Mallock, incase anyone else here is interested besides me.

 

http://i43.tinypic.com/28wpgyv.jpg

 

http://i41.tinypic.com/165oqv.jpg

 

http://i44.tinypic.com/2ns59hu.jpg

 

http://i39.tinypic.com/2rf3qs4.jpg

[coffee break]

Now that's all business! :cooldude:

[TheDingo8MyBaby]

Hey Dermot,

 

Here's another for you:

 

http://www.race-cars.com/partbd/messages/23653.htm

[BlueMax]

Otto,

I have an original Lotus Weber T/C 1600 head complete with valves, valve cover, and thermostat housing. All standard dimensions never been molested or milled. I’ve own this head for 35 years

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello all,

I am looking for a deal on a Weber head if anyone has or knows of one.

Also, I know there are a number of past Europa owners here and would like to know if anyone has experience with bypassing the brake servos. My Europa Special has bad servos, originals are unavailable and adaptable units are $350+ each. I find it hard to believe a 1500# car NEEDS servos. Has anyone got experience with changing the master cylinder, what size did you use and how did it feel?

 

Thanks.

[SCCA7]

The company that does the weber head conversions is Omni Tech. I have one of their heads. they do geat stuff but not cheap. My head and cams were $3000. Might consider selling as the engine is still in pieces.