soldave

Had similar issues to you. I got a new saddle (similar to https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Capri-Sierra-Type-9-Gearbox-Gearstick-Gear-lever-plastic-Saddle-clip/153770208677) and I also picked up a short shifter which really helped with things too.

Really good write-up and pictures. Looking forward to seeing the after pics

The Red Panther lives again!

Yeah I thought the discs were only the same for the four speed Eclat Sprints, with other models using a slightly bigger disc (I've got both sets in the garage I think).

Not posted any updates here for quite a while, and not been active on the forums either for a few months. Life and a few other things took over, but I have kept driving the Eclat when I've had the chance. Took it out for a trip today too, to a nice new place in West Yorkshire called The Motorist. Cafe, car garage and with plans to be everything for automobile lovers. The guy's very nice and has big plans. Hopefully they'll all work out for him. The Eclat is running quite well since it's attempt to catch fire on the Evija launch visit. Only thing today was the indicators stopped working part way through the drive but pulling over and fiddling with the fuses sorted it - it's just a bad connection. Have cleared the terminals but the fuse box has seen better days. Thinking of getting one of these to replace it with: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Brand-New-Fuse-Box-For-Ford-Escort-Capri-Cortina-Taunus/161303918141 The only other winter jobs I have planned are maybe to fit a new aerial and to finally work out how to remove the rear speakers from the fittings, and replace them with some cheap upgrades. Other than that it'll have a quiet winter and be raring to go come sunny weather in Spring

Not this one? https://www.sjsportscars.com/parts-and-accessories/SJ079M0010.htm

Brilliant! Very well done to you, your son, and your car!

Great write-up and photos. Dead pleased you managed to make it with your son and that you both had a good time. I will try to do something like that with my Eclat in the future

Do you have a link to the whole of that spreadsheet?

Amazing what a bit of lube on your ball joint can do! 😂 A healthy squirt on both sides and the noise seems to have gone away for now. Nice cheap repair!

Thanks. I'll try some silicone spray on it and see if it quietens down. Xander is on the large size, but British Shorthairs can get sizeable. His dad was almost 8kg and his mum about 6.5kg. He's about 6kg right now so is a bit of a chonk!

Double birthdays this past week, as my Eclat turned 40 years old and on the same day my cat, Xander, turned one year old. Complete coincidence but love it! Took a couple of shots and even let him have a quick wander on the bonnet (after giving him strict orders to keep claws in!). Nice little drive today too with no issues, but wanted you to take a quick look at this video. Does this sound like front suspension or bushings to you? I've replaced some of the lower bushings when I replaced trunnions and anti-roll bar but it could be something I missed. I do know the bushings on the top of the dampers have seen better days though. When I push down on the rear (new dampers and springs two years ago) there's virtually no noise. Oh, and just as an explanation, this video was taken midway through my audition for Blue Man Group 😂

Really good write-up and video. Good to see the interior is still definitely a Lotus Elite. Some of these cars modified for track use are stripped down so much their unrecognisable as a specific model any more. Looking forward to reading more in this thread

They almost look to good to hide trumpets behind an air filter. Almost... 😁

Stoked for you guys doing this and hope it haha an awesome time. Be sure to post updates along the way! Really glad I mentioned it on here now 🙂

Awesome pictorial guide there

I'd probably say the majority don't use the cooling panel before. I had it installed although have removed it whilst I'm doing the testing for my new fan wiring. If all goes well then it may go back in

Wanted to tie this off so wrote a little about it in my project thread here:

The Eclat is back... almost! Rear diff oil seal, bearing and o-ring changed, thermostat replaced, and fans rewired. A few things I've noticed whilst I've been working on the electrics today. I suck at anything electrical. I mean, I really suck! know my crimping tool isn't the best but most of my woes today were caused by crimps just falling off as I was doing other things. The cooling panel, whilst stock and supposedly to redirect 1/3 of the airflow to the engine and 2/3 out of the vents, is a pain! It takes up so much space at the front of the engine bay. Until I've confirmed everything is good after driving then it'll stay off. Debating whether I'll put it back or not. The lower radiator pipe seems to be rubbing against the power steering belt. I'll try to rotate it a little so that there's clearance, but I'm wondering if this pipe is completely stock. Have a look at the pics below and let me know what you think (don't judge me by my intake hose!). I can't see a SJ equivalent for the metal part of the pipe, but it's possible I'm just not finding it.. A new otter switch and my dodgy wiring both seem to be holding up, with the fans being operated automatically, but with a manual switch in the cabin too. Interestingly, the otter switch closes and fans come on when the temp on the temp gauge is about a needlewidth over 90, which makes me think it's readying 8-10 degrees over. Maybe the voltage stabiliser that needs replacing. Need to do a shakedown drive tomorrow after the car's cooled and I've adjusted that lower radiator hose, but looking good so far.

Sorry, but would you mind showing me how this would look on a simple wiring diagram? I know I'm very simple-minded(!) but I can't get in my head how it would look running it in parallel. Once I can visualise it then I can make the decision on whether to wire in both relays or just one.

Right, my final plan is trying to make a best of both worlds situation. I'm going to have one fan attached to a new Otter switch which will turn on at 84 degrees or so, and another fan on a manual switch in the cabin. Both will be on separate relays, fuses and wiring so if one stops the other should keep going

My parts came in today so I got the old thermostat off and did some testing. Not incredibly scientific but it does seem that at the same temperature the new thermostat is much more open than the old one. Hopefully that'll help with cooling. Got the driveshaft off and although the oil seal looks in decent condition (the o-ring less so) the bearing was a little loud. So I've got replacements and will just have to get a garage's help in getting the old collar and bearing off and new one on.

Whilst I had the brake drum off on the passenger side today I took a look at the state of the drums. No oil contamination from the diff output seal leak, which I was pleased with. Wondering what the thickness of brand new shoes is, and what the thickness threshold is for changing to new ones. On the passenger side mine had 3.2-3.5mm of meat left on one and 4mm on the other. May be fine but I thought I'd ask the question to be sure 🙂

Thread back from the dead! Noticed a wet lower link and some oil on the floor at the read end so it looks like either the seal or o-ring on the passenger side (this time) has failed and needs replacing. The seal looks good (o-ring probably has seen better days), but whilst it's apart I'll do everything. So on my shopping list is: 3 x o-rings (just so I have spare) Collar Bearing Oil seal What I can't remember from last time is how do I keep the o-ring in place when putting it all back together? The factory manual suggests using "a suitable adhesive" which is very cryptic!

Quite a bit going on so I'd better get into it. Since May I had a really enjoyable trip to Lotus in the Peak. Some beautiful driving roads and great to see so many Lotus models together in one place. The weather held all day too, which was a bonus. Then earlier this week I was lucky enough to be selected to take part in the Lotus Evija launch, as they wanted a yellow example of Lotus models throughout the ages. Bit of a trek to get there: 190 miles and a 4-hour drive each way, including one hour stop-almost stop-stop in London traffic. On the motorway at a steady 70mph the temp gauge stayed at 90 degrees and sometimes just starting to go a little over before dropping down to 90 again. Might be the voltage stabiliser but might be the engine getting a little too warm for my liking. Think I might invest in a new thermostat and gasket to make sure I'm covered there. But it was the London traffic on a beautifully sunny (and hot) day that had me watching the temp gauge almost constantly. Radiator fans were on constantly and the needle stayed just a needlewidth above 90; pretty pleasing though. Got to the venue and spotted a few other Lotus parked up, got into position, let out a sigh and turned the car off. Tried to turn the radiator fan off but the switch (the spare Lucas switch that's in my centre console) didn't really want to turn off. Pulled the switch out of the console so I could remove a wire from the back of it, and that's when the fun started! By fun I mean smoke. Smoke suddenly started pouring out of the centre console area and from the engine bay. PANIC!!! Grabbed the fire extinguisher but in this case there was smoke without fire (see what I did there?!). Alas, the radiator wiring between battery and switch had basically become ash. I know, I know... a much better way would be to use relays etc. I know this now and have worked out a much better and safer setup (see diagram below) To be fair, everyone there was awesome in helping out, both Lotus staff and other owners. They found where I could get a few things to get the fans working again and I set off on foot. Missed the Lotus drive around London as I needed to make some repairs, but I hardwired the fan to the battery so that I could get home. The car covered another 190 miles and other than nearly becoming an inferno just as I pulled up outside the launch event (still embarrassed about it now), the car didn't really skip a beat. The long trip seems to have taken a bit of a toll on it though, and there are a few things I need to look into. Fan wiring. Car's not going anywhere until that's all set up in a proper manner. I hate car electrics but need to embrace my hatred. Thermostat and gasket. Should be a relatively quick switch once I get some extra coolant, but nothing's ever simple! Headlight vacuum system. Prior to this week, the vacuum system was on point and headlights would stay down for 12-13 hours (i.e. factory spec). On arriving in London, it's decided to start losing vacuum after a couple of hours. A simple vacuum system but it's going to be a long process to diagnose as it's such a small leak. Rear diff seems to be leaking a little more than I'd like. Replaced the output shaft seal on the passenger side a few years back but need to have a look this weekend to see where this one is coming from. So good times, but plenty to do now.