Lotus 7 S4 1974: light restoration and modification

Lotus 7 S4 1974: light restoration and modification

Author
Discussion

Mistron

103 posts

165 months

Saturday 8th October 2011
quotequote all
thought so. cheers.

pontiacjohn

5 posts

149 months

Wednesday 12th October 2011
quotequote all
Hi,Just to confirm steering rack is mk 1 Escort "twin cam"

Mistron

103 posts

165 months

Wednesday 12th October 2011
quotequote all
is the twin cam rack a quicker ratio, but with the same overall dimensions? or is it a completely different component? there seem to be plenty quick rack options available through the usual fast-Ford specialists

Kghaas

Original Poster:

173 posts

150 months

Thursday 13th October 2011
quotequote all
Thanks guys for confirming the steering rack.
I have ordered the Escort MK1 2.4 quick ratio. Haven received it yet but i think it will work out. I will confirm when I receive it.

pontiacjohn

5 posts

149 months

Friday 14th October 2011
quotequote all
twin cam rack had the long pinion shaft

Kghaas

Original Poster:

173 posts

150 months

Sunday 23rd October 2011
quotequote all
I have now fited the Escort 2.4 Rack. It is a direct replacement apart from the fact that the rods from the steering rack is 14mm instead of the original 12mm.
Since the long shaft was not available, i just cut the one I had and attched with a multi angle joint.

The car has also got some new wings.
I actually sorced a set of new Caterham wings and stays here in Norway. With some small modification they fit, but I am not sure if they look right. i might fabricate som stays at a later stage.

Some pics:

New and old rack


Original caterham stays fitted.


Caterham wings. Looks a bit high?


As it is today. Will try to start it in a few days


dirtbiker

1,159 posts

165 months

Monday 24th October 2011
quotequote all
Good effort - looks like you're making rapid progress!

You could always try the lowered wing brackets from Seven Speed: http://www.sevenspeed.co.uk/cycle-wings.html

Or I guess it wouldn't be hard to fabricate something similar. It does look good with the cycle wings though.

Kghaas

Original Poster:

173 posts

150 months

Wednesday 26th October 2011
quotequote all
Car is now back on its wheels and a working LHD Lotussmile
Steering is a bit stiff due to the new rack.



No more work will be done in a week or two,since I have to overhaul the brakes on the Porsche 944 turbo. At the last trackday I lost my brakes at 186Kph(according to my driftbox) so I will do a through job...
Car in action..


In the mean time why don't YOU post some pics here with some nice Lotus Seven S4. I am particular interested in cars with modifications or nice paint schemes.

I have found these two which I also would like to have some more info/pics if you have smile





mickrick

3,700 posts

172 months

Thursday 27th October 2011
quotequote all
Nice work!
The top picture, Google "Black Brick" wink

Megaflow

9,335 posts

224 months

Thursday 27th October 2011
quotequote all
Nice project. Makes a change seeing an S4 getting some TLC

dirtbiker

1,159 posts

165 months

Thursday 27th October 2011
quotequote all
I like the CSR arches on the yellow car you've posted - might be worth considering for yours.

Kghaas

Original Poster:

173 posts

150 months

Thursday 27th October 2011
quotequote all
I too realy like the CRS wings. They fit perfectly with the square forms of the S4. unfortunately I already sourced the regular round ones. I guess I have to stick to them for now.

Comadis

1,731 posts

222 months

Friday 28th October 2011
quotequote all
cycle wings on an S4---->how somebody can agree that it looks "nice":
It does not match with the general design of the car, especially the rear, takes away completely the "classic" appearance of the car...designwise its a NO-Go!!!!

and my personal opinion: UGLY!!!


angusfaldo

2,787 posts

273 months

Friday 28th October 2011
quotequote all
Comadis said:
cycle wings on an S4---->how somebody can agree that it looks "nice":
It does not match with the general design of the car, especially the rear, takes away completely the "classic" appearance of the car...designwise its a NO-Go!!!!

and my personal opinion: UGLY!!!

I like it! No need to constrain yourself with preconceptions about "classic" appearance.

Would love to see on in the flesh, so to speak.

CanAm

9,092 posts

271 months

Friday 28th October 2011
quotequote all
mickrick said:
Nice work!
The top picture, Google "Black Brick" wink
But this car seems to be an American S4 rather than one of the UK Black Bricks.

S47

1,325 posts

179 months

Friday 28th October 2011
quotequote all
Yellow car with the CSR type cycle wings has a 2 litre duratec [notice exhaust exiting on driver's side] engine and was featured in my Series4 - 7 thread posting, check it out for the details.
Mal

Kghaas

Original Poster:

173 posts

150 months

Monday 31st October 2011
quotequote all
I like cycle wings, so thats why I put them on. My car, my rules smile

No more info on the black racer? It is not the Black Brick...

Bahnstormer

934 posts

245 months

Friday 4th November 2011
quotequote all
cool S4 !

Kghaas

Original Poster:

173 posts

150 months

Tuesday 15th November 2011
quotequote all
Did an MOT on the car to get a list of all the areas I have to deal with this winter. It last had an valid MOT in 2003 so I expected there to be some faults but it wasen too bad:

-Steering wheel loose (someone had forgotten to put on the steernig wheel nut....I wonder who that could be...)
- No lights working (A short the day before which I didnt have time to fix)
-Rear brakes uneaven.

Thats it.
I guess i should be able to handle that.

Also played arround to see how the car would look like in differnet colours. Here is an sample.

This one killed the lights:


7" and 5" lamps


Mabye something like this? Anyone spot the difference...


Kghaas

Original Poster:

173 posts

150 months

Monday 12th December 2011
quotequote all
Just need some new brakes on the rear to pass the MOT now.

Can someone please tell me exactly what brakes I should order. My local supplier need to know what Ford it is....
I need both the drums and the shoes