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Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: Bryan Boyle on Friday,December 13, 2024, 11:48:20 AM

Title: Shot in the Dark to Find a Tool
Post by: Bryan Boyle on Friday,December 13, 2024, 11:48:20 AM
Figured I'd ask here before bothering a local machinist...but does anyone know where I could score (beg, buy, borrow...) Lotus Tool T.339 as found on page 31 of section L of the Twin Cam supplement?  It's the tool to drive in the throttle spindle seals.  Guess I could bodge something up...but might be nice for once to use a tool meant to do the job I'm trying to do...just sayin.

Title: Re: Shot in the Dark to Find a Tool
Post by: Grumblebuns on Friday,December 13, 2024, 12:36:31 PM
Bryan, if no one out there has the factory tool to lend out, send me a PM. I have a mini lathe sitting unoccupied. Not that I have nothing else to do, but looking at the drawing specs, it looks fairly simple to replicate. For a professional machine shop, probably less than an hours worth of work. My machinist charges $125/hr, so consider what it would cost you to make the tool. I'm just a novice in machining but it looks simple enough.

Joji Tokumoto 
Title: Re: Shot in the Dark to Find a Tool
Post by: Kendo on Friday,December 13, 2024, 12:51:10 PM
With my occasionally used mini lathe, I thought similarly. But if you consider the 8.2 mm reamer as a cost (I don’t have one  :-\) $125 might not be too out of line. Still, it would be fun to machine.
Title: Re: Shot in the Dark to Find a Tool
Post by: Grumblebuns on Friday,December 13, 2024, 01:05:21 PM
I recommend seeing what a machine shop will charge for such a simple tool first.
Title: Re: Shot in the Dark to Find a Tool
Post by: Bryan Boyle on Friday,December 13, 2024, 01:11:27 PM
I recommend seeing what a machine shop will charge for such a simple tool first.

Gong to ping Steve V, since he seems to have touchpoints at machine shops.  I don't know if the 8.2mm is space program critical...only meant to fit over the throttle shaft (if it's in the body...if not...then I don't think it would matter; the seals go on lips out (which means the machining on the end is meant to press the seal onto and then press into the body of the carby, I think...)

Going to suss this out; appreciate your offer, Jojii...
Title: Re: Shot in the Dark to Find a Tool
Post by: TurboFource on Friday,December 13, 2024, 02:31:29 PM
I think a 21/64 drill bit (8.33mm) would be close enough to line it up with the throttle shaft! That's only .005" over ....
Title: Re: Shot in the Dark to Find a Tool
Post by: Grumblebuns on Friday,December 13, 2024, 03:04:16 PM
Even though we're not building parts for the Mars Orbital Lander, if a tool is available with the right size and not exorbitantly expensive, I prefer using the right tool. A 8.3 mm reamer is about $6-$7 online.  Pretty cheap for a probably one use only tool. Hey Bryan, go ahead and get a quote for the tool. I'll start ordering the material and the reamer to make one for myself. If it turns out usable, I'll mail it off to you. I also need the practice.
Title: Re: Shot in the Dark to Find a Tool
Post by: Bryan Boyle on Saturday,December 14, 2024, 07:34:42 AM
Even though we're not building parts for the Mars Orbital Lander, if a tool is available with the right size and not exorbitantly expensive, I prefer using the right tool. A 8.3 mm reamer is about $6-$7 online.  Pretty cheap for a probably one use only tool. Hey Bryan, go ahead and get a quote for the tool. I'll start ordering the material and the reamer to make one for myself. If it turns out usable, I'll mail it off to you. I also need the practice.

That would be great...fwiw, if you were into the r-16 engines...I have the head locator studs and tool, and liner nip block sitting in a box in my garage. 
Title: Re: Shot in the Dark to Find a Tool
Post by: jbcollier on Saturday,December 14, 2024, 09:39:55 AM
I've fit lots of seals to Strombergs.  It's a simple job.  Use a deep socket that just slips over the spindle.