new member with a S1

[Fritz Ficke]

Hi, I am a new member and new to lotus ownership. I purchased a 1967 S1B chassis# 46/0576
I really like the car and now I need to do a few things before I take it on a road trip to Col. with our British car club.
I am hoping someone here can help me.
First I need to change the clutch cable, I would really appreciate any help from someone who has done that before. It looks to me like you have to cut a whole in the car to do this. Is that right? and if so what is the best place for the whole/ top or bottom?
Thanks in advance.

[BDA]

   Fritz!


I don't think you'll have to cut a hole in the car. I don't have an S1 so I'll let the S1 owners fill you in.

[jbcollier]

Nice!  More photos, please.

I have an S1b as well. I converted my clutch to hydraulic so I'll let another S1 owner chime in with a how-to.

Some links on the clutch cable:

http://www.lotus-europa.com/manuals/s1parts/t/t2.htm

http://www.lotus-europa.com/manuals/s2work/q/index.htm#6

Been a while since I changed my frame and I can't remember where the clutch cable abutment was on the S1.  Figure it out before you take it apart.  You might be able to "reach" it from where the cable comes in the cabin.

[Fritz Ficke]

Thanks for the reply's, I thought about a hydraulic clutch also!

[jbcollier]

It's pretty easy on an S1.  I used a Wildwood clutch slave pull cylinder and paired it with a Girling style master cylinder exactly in front of where the clutch cable attaches.  I used that arm as a lever and drilled it for the master cylinder's push rod.  I have a five speed transmission so I can't help you with exactly where to anchor the slave cylinder on the original 4 speed.  A long rod to the former cable bracket on the engine should do nicely.  My pedal is like butter: silky smooth with just the right amount of travel.  I can't quite remember the size of the master I went with but I could ferret it out if you are interested.  You need to run a 1/4 inch line to the back, not the usual 3/16 brake line size as you are moving much more fluid back and forth.

I have some old roughing-in photos here:

http://s250.photobucket.com/user/jbcollier/library/Europa%20Hydraulic%20Clutch?sort=3&page=1

WARNING: Photobucket has gone to heck in a hand basket.  It has a million annoying pop-ups.  My apologies that I haven't yet transferred everything over to my SmugMug account but I don't want to break all the old links.

[SwiftDB4]

I too changed to a hydraulic clutch on my S1, but think you can just pull the clutch cable out the front at the pedal end. First pull the outer cable back just enough to clear the bracket that holds it to the tunnel. Tie or tape wire to the rear of the clutch cable, pull everything forward until the cable is out, tape the new cable on the wire, and pull from the engine end. When you get close to pulling it most of the way engage the outer cable in the slotted tunnel bracket. I think the slotted bracket is close to the junction where fiberglass meets carpet.

[Certified Lotus]

   A Lotus and Porsche owner? I was the same for many years, but the Porsches sat in the garage while the Lotus was always being driven. So much more engaging to drive. Eventually, the Porsches got sold.......

[Bainford]

Welcome to the forum. That is a nice little S1 you have there. Cheers

[Serge]

SwiftDB4 is correct. The bracket holding the cable on should be underneath the drivers seat (you can reach it when you lift the lower seat cushion).

Serge

[Fritz Ficke]

My car has not had the hole cut underneath the seat cushion yet, I think that is a good place to cut one in because it would not be seen easily. Is it possible for you to take a picture of your car with the whole cut in? here is how my uncut one looks.

[Serge]

My S1 has a hole moulded into the seat, some one has made it larger, but this was because they had to weld in a new bracket for the cable.

You can see the hole in this video:

https://youtu.be/RGojk7Vff8M?t=5m45s

[Fritz Ficke]

Thanks all!
Especially Serge 'youtube' video where some one had cut a hole in his seat gave me the courage to do the same with my car. Clutch cable is now installed. I kept the plate removed and will use it as a cover to the new access hole.
Now to the wheel bearing and suspension bushings

[Serge]

Check out my other youtube videos for help on those, I already did my wheelbearings and suspension.

http://youtube.com/user/sleursmotorsport


Serge

[Fritz Ficke]

So I cut the hole and then I reinforced it with aluminum angle  and pop riveted those in. I will use the piece I cut out for the cover and screw it on with self taping screws into the aluminum.