336. Trans rebuild

[Runningwild]

im about to pull the engine / trans  from my 1967 S2 (54-0750 ). The car had 34,000 miles when parked and has been stored for 32 years.  It was stored with fluids.  Where is a reliable source to have the trans checked over or rebuilt if needed. Any ideas???  Thanks Tom

[BDA]

If it was stored inside, I wouldn't worry about it. I'd change the oil and expect it to be ok. If it was outside for a few decades and there could be a lot of humidity, it probably would be worth checking out.

Interestingly, I'm in a similar situation. For some reason, I don't have 5th gear any more and I don't consider myself competent to work on a transmission. I will be giving it to a local manual transmission shop with a copy of the workshop manual. I don't think it requires any skill that shop that works on manual transmissions doesn't have.

 The problem you might have is if you need parts. Alpine-America in Canada deals with Renault parts and they  might be helpful (http://www.alpine-america.qc.ca/). I would probably try r.d. enterprises (http://www.rdent.com), Dave Bean (http://www.davebean.com), or JAE (http://www.jaeparts.com/) first if/when you find out what you need in case they have it.

Good luck! Post some pictures and tell us what your plans are.

[Runningwild]

Car was stored inside so hopefully I'll be ok. I'll drain and flush with new fluid.

[BDA]

Let us know how it turns out!

[Runningwild]

Posted same question on the yahoo group site. They said disassembly without hurting parts was very hard and parts are scarce. Told me to just refill and try it. Second gear synchros are the main problem. I'm just going to flush and hope.   Tom

[jbcollier]

Your Europa was built in 1968, just so you know.

[BDA]

I would advise using Red Line Oil. They recommend 75W90 NS GL-5 Gear Oil. It works very well with worn synchros.

Here's their application search page: http://www.redlineoil.com/application.aspx

[Runningwild]

Thanks guys. Actually it is a 1967. It's an early car sent to France. One of the 400+ non federal cars. S1 style but body bolted to frame.   Tom

[jbcollier]

Nope, the last 46 rolled out the door in May of 1968, yours in June of 1968.  It's all in the registry:

http://www.lotus-europa.com/registry.html

Specifically:

http://www.lotus-europa.com/regs2.html

Note:  The factory recorded the "invoice date" not build dates.  For example my 46/0601 was sold to Lotus Canada and left the factory in May of 1968 (first Europa sold to Lotus Canada, 24 earlier Europas came to Canada though other means).  Estimated build date is March of 1968.

[Runningwild]

Thanks. Have always been confused by paperwork that came with car. Registration said 1967, original title and owner said 1967. Always felt it was an early 68 not couldn't figure it out.  Thanks. Tom