ANDYR 39 Posted September 3, 2019 Report Share Posted September 3, 2019 (edited) Hi Fabian. Ski Racks. Polycarbonate. It's super strong, cuts well, glues well, you can put threads into it and it holds a lustre paint finish. I've a set for my S3. I've a bunch of photos and drawings to send you as stimulus (will need an email) but for you and other Lotus owning skiiers (a niche group) who are interested then a full story is on my Instagram feed 'LotusAndy5' check it out. Lovely Max (who some will know from Max500) tells me the original was a balsa wood prop and the skis were never attached securely. Remember if this is going to work, you might need to tailor the way your skis are actually fixed to the racks. I've drilled holes into my tailgate and support the racks using a backplate and spacers in the tailgate cavity... Happy to discuss at length and drive over in person. (Shots below from production and prior to fixing in place, hence the gaps created came from the weight of the skis and the surface finish was mid sanding). Andy Edited September 3, 2019 by ANDYR 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fridge 940 Posted September 3, 2019 Report Share Posted September 3, 2019 Funny. I'm a Lotus owner, and owner of 2 Bond cars, as well as being a long time skier and ski mountaineer. The Esprit is probably the least practical car to use for skiing trips. My advice is to leave it to movies, not the highway. Amusing though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ANDYR 39 Posted September 3, 2019 Report Share Posted September 3, 2019 Ha ha - good point. It'll fail to start on a Jan morning in the alps and steam up, stall or spin off a hairpin. BUT any car looks much cooler with skis on it, and the Lotus does it the best We're off to Cortina in Jan/Feb 2020. Just need a final tweak to the racks than then (expensively) freight her down to GVA where we'll pick her up from a more reliable and relaxing plane journey. on the drive back I don't care... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gold FFM skiing 107 Posted September 4, 2019 Gold FFM Report Share Posted September 4, 2019 Andy, are you really doing Cortina in the Esprit? That is cool. The main thing for me would be lack of adequate heating... I would put it on snow tires and traction-wise it should be fine (I did a run to Val Thorens in an XJS V12 in snow and it ploughed through everything, although it must weigh twice the Esprit!) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gold FFM skiing 107 Posted September 4, 2019 Gold FFM Report Share Posted September 4, 2019 Oh and you might be able to get the car train? when you load it up on the train and travel separately and then pick up at the other end... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ANDYR 39 Posted September 4, 2019 Report Share Posted September 4, 2019 (edited) Hi Henry, Good to see you on the chat. Yes, that's the plan. My Brother-in-Law and I are lifetime skiiers and ticking off all the resorts. His father's favourite place was Cortina, so the trip planned is to honour that as he passed away last year. I was in 'shipmycar' mode and had lost hope car trains existed. what' the weblink and i'll take a look? Any skiiers reading this will know of the debauchery in the early 90's "Snow Train" from Calais to Bourg... Sorry to now turn this excellent rebuild story into a snow report. snow tyres - check. Heater. yes. Any suggestions on how to boost the power from that thing in the bonnet? Although I've seen heaters that run off cig sockets. @Fabain - the offer to drive over and talk racks still exists. For some reason I though you were in Surrey. I'm utterly inspired by the rebuild and to think they did this each time they made an Esprit... Edited September 4, 2019 by ANDYR 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
martynw 84 Posted September 4, 2019 Report Share Posted September 4, 2019 Man in Seat 61 is always good for planning train journeys - we did the summer car-train to the Dolomites last year using his advice. https://www.seat61.com/Motorail.htm Looks like you can get to Innsubruck on it at that time of year. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lotusfab 3,173 Posted September 7, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2019 On 03/09/2019 at 16:19, ANDYR said: Hi Fabian. Ski Racks. Polycarbonate. It's super strong, cuts well, glues well, you can put threads into it and it holds a lustre paint finish. I've a set for my S3. I've a bunch of photos and drawings to send you as stimulus (will need an email) but for you and other Lotus owning skiiers (a niche group) who are interested then a full story is on my Instagram feed 'LotusAndy5' check it out. Lovely Max (who some will know from Max500) tells me the original was a balsa wood prop and the skis were never attached securely. Remember if this is going to work, you might need to tailor the way your skis are actually fixed to the racks. I've drilled holes into my tailgate and support the racks using a backplate and spacers in the tailgate cavity... Happy to discuss at length and drive over in person. (Shots below from production and prior to fixing in place, hence the gaps created came from the weight of the skis and the surface finish was mid sanding). Andy Excellent! Will attempt to make myself some very soon! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lotusfab 3,173 Posted September 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2019 Fuel lines Had Think Automotive make me up two fuel lines for the pressure regulator to carbs. Unfortunately we copied the ones that were in and they are too short. Any straining on these an absolute no no. So back there ride to get them remade. I believe there should be two earth straps on the carbs. These are missing. Anyone have any pics or know where they connect? I believe one end goes to the inlet manifold nut, but where do they connect to on the carbs? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steve4012 190 Posted September 10, 2019 Report Share Posted September 10, 2019 Here's a pic of mine on removal. They're located on the one the pump cover screws and the other end as you say to the inlet manifold nut. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lotusfab 3,173 Posted September 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2019 Perfect! Thanks Steve. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
910Esprit 531 Posted September 10, 2019 Report Share Posted September 10, 2019 Interesting, mine run from a top cover securing screw to a manifold nut. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lotusfab 3,173 Posted September 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2019 Can't find any info on this in the manuals? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lotusfab 3,173 Posted September 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2019 Engine surround repaired and installed with new foil heatsheild and heat resistant paint. There's going to be a lot of tweaking to get it all to fit!Im refurbing the new coil box, here's what one looks like untouched! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
910Esprit 531 Posted September 10, 2019 Report Share Posted September 10, 2019 What do you use to glue the rubber surround to the engine bay apperture? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lotusfab 3,173 Posted September 11, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2019 It came with its own adhesive backing. It's not very good. I expect it to detach then will use industrial super glue. M having trouble getting the left and right surrounds to fit now the engine but is in. Nothing's easy on a Lotus! Once I solve the boost pipe problem I can get the coil box sorted and have a start! The boost pipe seems to have imperial gas fittings! The first sleeve nut I ordered didn't fit 3/8. Next two on their way! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lotusfab 3,173 Posted September 11, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2019 5/16 size. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lotusfab 3,173 Posted September 11, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2019 Well I got to the bottom of this today. The Turbo pipe sleeve nut fittings are 1/2 inch BSB (British standard brass) 26 TPI 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andyww 1,278 Posted September 12, 2019 Report Share Posted September 12, 2019 On 11/09/2019 at 14:32, Lotusfab said: It came with its own adhesive backing. It's not very good. Correct, its utterly hopeless, in fact it would be better if SJ supplied this without the adhesive as removing it to use proper glue takes ages. Didnt know the carbs were supposed to have earth strap but makes sense. Reminds me of a story from years ago, I had a friend with an Elan which he kept having to change the throttle cable on, as it would break every few months. He could not understand why, until he realised the big engine earth strap had frayed through so when cranking the starter the entire 50 amps or so of cranking current was flowing through the throttle cable as the sole earth return which was causing it to melt! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lotusfab 3,173 Posted September 12, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2019 The 5/16 sleeve nuts fit from the above supplier. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lotusfab 3,173 Posted September 13, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2019 Nearly! Restoring everything is killing me!rear heatsheild! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
910Esprit 531 Posted September 13, 2019 Report Share Posted September 13, 2019 (edited) It looks fantastic. But if I were you.... I would have fired it up before fully assembling (particularly the plenum) Makes it much easier to set the timing dynamically (that dizzy is tricky to get to with one hand) , check for leaks etc. When is the grand 'firing up'? Edited September 13, 2019 by 910Esprit 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
silverfrost 1,387 Posted September 13, 2019 Report Share Posted September 13, 2019 Fingers crossed for you Fabian on the big start up Quote A Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post Lotusfab 3,173 Posted September 13, 2019 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted September 13, 2019 Thanks, wont be long. I was thinking I should have set the ignition timing and put the earth straps on at the start! Still they are on now. I left the pinch bolt on the distributor loose to adjust it. Just cleaned out the expansion bottle and will have the ignition box wired soon. I reckon I could start it today, but I've got no brakes! I bought a caliper for an extortionate amount and it's stuck in customs with parcel force. They tell me two weeks! So need to fill the coolant and complete the wiring. Then ignition timing, fuel and start! You have to remember I have rebuilt absolutely everything! Who knows what will happen! 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lotusfab 3,173 Posted September 13, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2019 Nearly finished the ignition box. Just need to locate my soldering iron! Luckily I got the loom with the box. Unluckily I had already made a new one! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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