Lotus Europa Resto/Project Under Way
Discussion
Quick update. No word from the machine shop so will have to chase up on that.
But this happened today. Took all morning jacking things up inch by inch so the gear stick would nip under the jig, then slowly rolling the chassis out so as to avoid the slightest upset to the teetering body (definitely need to spend some time firming things up there). I had to drag the chassis sideways a couple times to get it to roll out the door, then to turn it into the new spot.
Very happy to finally get this done, partly because I managed to do the whole thing on my own (whether or not that was wise is another point entirely), but mostly because it frees up pretty much all the rest of the work, so everything is fair game now.
But this happened today. Took all morning jacking things up inch by inch so the gear stick would nip under the jig, then slowly rolling the chassis out so as to avoid the slightest upset to the teetering body (definitely need to spend some time firming things up there). I had to drag the chassis sideways a couple times to get it to roll out the door, then to turn it into the new spot.
Very happy to finally get this done, partly because I managed to do the whole thing on my own (whether or not that was wise is another point entirely), but mostly because it frees up pretty much all the rest of the work, so everything is fair game now.
Top job sir!
I am in the middle of rebuilding a Vixen and I have a garage half the width of yours! My solution to tub storage was to set up two simple block and tackles front and rear. I fitted temporary U bolts through the floor each side in the foot wells and over the rear arches and then winched the body up and away wen I needed to. I store it above the chassis on a pair of beams that drop into rafter hangers screwed to the wall either side, so I can heave the tub up in the air, tie it off then slide the beams in and drop it back down onto the beams.
The Vixen tub needs to be hoisted back end up to fit the front onto the chassis first, but thats easy with the block an tackle.
I am in the middle of rebuilding a Vixen and I have a garage half the width of yours! My solution to tub storage was to set up two simple block and tackles front and rear. I fitted temporary U bolts through the floor each side in the foot wells and over the rear arches and then winched the body up and away wen I needed to. I store it above the chassis on a pair of beams that drop into rafter hangers screwed to the wall either side, so I can heave the tub up in the air, tie it off then slide the beams in and drop it back down onto the beams.
The Vixen tub needs to be hoisted back end up to fit the front onto the chassis first, but thats easy with the block an tackle.
Astacus said:
Top job sir!
I am in the middle of rebuilding a Vixen and I have a garage half the width of yours! My solution to tub storage was to set up two simple block and tackles front and rear. I fitted temporary U bolts through the floor each side in the foot wells and over the rear arches and then winched the body up and away wen I needed to. I store it above the chassis on a pair of beams that drop into rafter hangers screwed to the wall either side, so I can heave the tub up in the air, tie it off then slide the beams in and drop it back down onto the beams.
The Vixen tub needs to be hoisted back end up to fit the front onto the chassis first, but thats easy with the block an tackle.
Sounds like a great system. I thought about suspending the body as well, but I’d have to rely on the rafters themselves and I’m not confident that I would be able to avoid destroying the garage doing that. I am in the middle of rebuilding a Vixen and I have a garage half the width of yours! My solution to tub storage was to set up two simple block and tackles front and rear. I fitted temporary U bolts through the floor each side in the foot wells and over the rear arches and then winched the body up and away wen I needed to. I store it above the chassis on a pair of beams that drop into rafter hangers screwed to the wall either side, so I can heave the tub up in the air, tie it off then slide the beams in and drop it back down onto the beams.
The Vixen tub needs to be hoisted back end up to fit the front onto the chassis first, but thats easy with the block an tackle.
DocJock said:
Parrot for dandarez!
Why does nobody seem to have a parrot emoji anymore?
I've asked for it now, haven't I!
Aside, what are the correct alloys for this Europa? I don't know, I'm a Ginetta fan.
They look like Cobra Slots. Used to be common as hell once. Friend still has them on his Scimitar.
As for the tyres, Aurora's. Bloody hell, ain't seen them for years either.
Fantastic project.
Had one of these in the late 90's (FPB 51J where are you now??). On the rare occasion everything was working at the same time & driving/weather conditions were right it was the most sensational thing (notwithstanding a lack of power). On the remaining 364 days of the year it was an absolute nightmare! But to be fair it hadn't been restored and had quite a, erm, chequered life before me.
One thing that did used to scare the hell out of me was being passed (usually stuck on the hard shoulder) by lorries........looking at pretty much the centre hub of on artic doesn't half make you feel vulnerable. What Mrs Alsa thought being sat in the passenger seat when it was working we've never discussed. I believe she's blocked it out!
Good luck with it - I'm sure you'll have mega fun when it's finished.
On the subject of wheels mine had Cosmics - which I particularly liked
Had one of these in the late 90's (FPB 51J where are you now??). On the rare occasion everything was working at the same time & driving/weather conditions were right it was the most sensational thing (notwithstanding a lack of power). On the remaining 364 days of the year it was an absolute nightmare! But to be fair it hadn't been restored and had quite a, erm, chequered life before me.
One thing that did used to scare the hell out of me was being passed (usually stuck on the hard shoulder) by lorries........looking at pretty much the centre hub of on artic doesn't half make you feel vulnerable. What Mrs Alsa thought being sat in the passenger seat when it was working we've never discussed. I believe she's blocked it out!
Good luck with it - I'm sure you'll have mega fun when it's finished.
On the subject of wheels mine had Cosmics - which I particularly liked
Edited by alsaautomotive on Friday 26th January 16:57
Bit of progress to report. But first thing’s first, got a shoutout from George at Soup which I thought was pretty cool: https://youtu.be/Qlo0TIdKweM if you haven’t seen Soup before I highly recommend. One of the best restoration series I’ve ever watched.
I got the cylinder head back from the machine shop. Even with the welding there are some noticeable defects in the face. I am told they will not be a problem as they do not bridge between the cylinder and water jacket but I can’t help but think it is less than ideal. Nevertheless I was impressed with the result they managed to get given the state of the head when I took it in.
Next step was to lap the valves.
Before:
After:
And thankfully all the valves went back together without issue:
Then the lifters went back in. Seven of them went in with absolutely no problem. One of them, though, was getting hung up on something which was a worry. Unfortunately it was such a worry that I didn’t think to take any photographs, but I was able to get rid of the burr with some gentle sanding with some very fine paper. The lifter is now operating nicely with no play
Wrapped up ready for the long wait!
I got the cylinder head back from the machine shop. Even with the welding there are some noticeable defects in the face. I am told they will not be a problem as they do not bridge between the cylinder and water jacket but I can’t help but think it is less than ideal. Nevertheless I was impressed with the result they managed to get given the state of the head when I took it in.
Next step was to lap the valves.
Before:
After:
And thankfully all the valves went back together without issue:
Then the lifters went back in. Seven of them went in with absolutely no problem. One of them, though, was getting hung up on something which was a worry. Unfortunately it was such a worry that I didn’t think to take any photographs, but I was able to get rid of the burr with some gentle sanding with some very fine paper. The lifter is now operating nicely with no play
Wrapped up ready for the long wait!
Apologies for the double post.
Progress also made on the front of the chassis. I decided to strip off the sound deadening to see what lies beneath and revealed a horrible hairy red monster of a thing:
Thankfully no sign of rust pretty much anywhere which is great news. Took a few hours but finally got all the gross hair off the backbone
And gave it a lick of paint. I really dislike the green colour on the chassis and suspension (only painted green over the visible areas of the chassis) - thought it made it look like a piece of farm machinery.
In other news: I appear to have accepted a job in Chicago which is going to make progress effectively impossible from April. So I will need to do as much as possible, before hanging the car up at my parents’ place in April until I can either ship it across or decide to come back. Either way the car will be finished... there just might be a bit of an intermission.
Oh what fun...
Progress also made on the front of the chassis. I decided to strip off the sound deadening to see what lies beneath and revealed a horrible hairy red monster of a thing:
Thankfully no sign of rust pretty much anywhere which is great news. Took a few hours but finally got all the gross hair off the backbone
And gave it a lick of paint. I really dislike the green colour on the chassis and suspension (only painted green over the visible areas of the chassis) - thought it made it look like a piece of farm machinery.
In other news: I appear to have accepted a job in Chicago which is going to make progress effectively impossible from April. So I will need to do as much as possible, before hanging the car up at my parents’ place in April until I can either ship it across or decide to come back. Either way the car will be finished... there just might be a bit of an intermission.
Oh what fun...
TooMany2cvs said:
dandarez said:
DocJock said:
Parrot for dandarez!
Why does nobody seem to have a parrot emoji anymore?
I've asked for it now, haven't I!
dandarez said:
Aside, what are the correct alloys for this Europa?
Alloys? Bit new-fangled... Steelies and hubcaps!.jpg)
Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff