Resurrecting 3923R

[Grumblebuns]

After hibernating for at least since 1993, I decided that it's time to get 3923R back on the road. Before I parked it for the last time in the early 1990's, 3923R was at least in running condition. The only issues that I can recall was not being able to pass California emissions and non functioning brake boosters. After sitting idle for the past twenty plus years I'm sure other systems will have deteriorated.

The first step was to move 3923R from it's long time spot in the far corner of the garage to the front. Spent most of yesterday cleaning up the garage to be able to move 3923R to it's work space position up front. Place both the front and rear on ramps/cribbing to easily get to the underside of the car.

My initial scope of work is to swap out the engine and tranny. I have a spare dry sump Big Valve ready to go in along with a spare 365 tranny. I will also need to finish removing/bypassing the boosters and swap out the master cylinder with a Ford Courier identical to the one I did with my S2. The final work item is to redo the front suspension.

After sitting for 20 plus years, mice got in to the interior, so I have to clean up all of the mice shit plus a mummified carcass of a dead rat. I'll post updates and pictures as I progress.

Joji Tokumoto
Fallbrook, Ca

[3929R]

Exciting Joji!
What will your front end suspension redo include? That is also on my to-do list.

[4129R]

Is that L18 Glacier Blue, or L26 Olympic Blue?

Very pretty colour. 

[BDA]

It looks like a nice car, Joji! I hope you get her on the road without too much trouble! Is it going to be a driver or are you going to sell it?

When do you start work on the YBB car?

[Grumblebuns]

Front end work is just doing the basics. I already installed lowered Carerra shocks and springs in the 80s so I'm hoping that the seals on the shocks haven't deteriorated and start leaking when I have it back on the road. The rest of the work is installing new bushings and find some undamaged lower control arms.

The paint code stamped on the front plenum plate is L18. It appears to be a fairly rare color. I don't believe I've seen any other Elan or Europa with this particular color. To me it looks like more a very light turquoise than any shade of blue.

BDA, I took a long hiatus away from the YBB Europa, probably a year, to work on other projects. I just recommenced work just last week again on the car. The oil tank got installed just before I took my break so I measured the amount of hose that I'll need for the dry sump system, approximately 21'. This is just from the oil pump run to the oil tank and back. I still need measure and run a line to the oil cooler. I'll order the braided hose next week. At least mice stayed away from this car.

[BDA]

Twenty one feet! That seems like a lot! But then you have the belt driven pump, don't you? That would require more hose. Then the cooler!! Ten the ends!! Yikes! That will run up the tab...

I can't wait to updates on both of your projects!! Good luck with them!

[buzzer]

If you are running very long oil lines, I would read up a bit about potential pressure loss and issues with remote coolers. I seem to recall reading about installs where high pressure pumps are used with a reducing valve on the return for very remote coolers, may be different for dry sumps. Running modern oils would certainly help I expect.

Dave

[Grumblebuns]

3923R was my first Europa so there is some sentimental value with the car. I really haven't made my decision on what I want to do with it after I get it back on the road.

I decided to start a new thread on the YBB Cosworth Europa after realizing I hadn't started one yet. It will be the basis for my build log. Additional pictures here:

http://www.lotuseuropa.org/gallery/cosworth 

[Bainford]

Looking forward to seeing this project progress. I love the colour of this car. It is unusual indeed.

[Grumblebuns]

Wow, it's been a while since I've updated my progress on 3923R. I've finally resumed work on this dead beast. With the assistance of fellow local Europa owner and forum member Larry Mullin, we managed to get the motor/tranny removed last weekend. I managed to get the tranny separated from the engine yesterday and worked on removing the clutch and flywheel today. I ran into a minor problem with the flywheel bolts. They are some kind of 12 point ARP style of bolts. Anyone know what type of socket I need to use?

My plan with the engine is to send the head off to a specialist but rebuild the bottom myself. I start an engine rebuilding class next week at my local community college and plan on rebuilding the engine as my class project. The engine has about 65k miles so hoping I will only need a hone and rings plus new bearings and everything else to refresh an engine.

Joji Tokumoto
Fallbrook, Ca     

[BDA]

Glad you're making progress on 3923R but it's sad to see your Cosworth YBB car under a pile of stuff.

This is probably a stupid question but did you try a 12 point socket? Otherwise, I got nothin'. You may have to ask Ken at Dave Bean.

[dakazman]

 That’s what you use a 12 point! Be careful putting a 12 point on an impact unless it’s designated impact.
Dakazman

Nice car Joji👍👍

[jbcollier]

Yup, it's just a 12 pt headed bolt, GKN sourced.  Not unusual for torque critical heads to be 12 pt.  Do not use an impact!

[Grumblebuns]

Thanks for the confirmation. You rarely see a 12 point nut/bolt on a passenger car and I didn't want to use the wrong tool and bugger up the head. There is also some surface rust on the flywheel face. Is there a need to remove it prior to re-installing the clutch or is it similar to a brake rotor and the rust will clean up on first use.

BDA, if you think the YBB is messy now, you should have seen the junk in front last week. I got most of the stuff cleaned out in front, will work on getting the rest of the car tidied up. Unfortunately, my male cat will have to be evicted from his afternoon nap spot in the front compartment since I'll be doing some wiring work in that area.

For a 40 year old car, I'm surprised that the paint has held up quite well. There's 20 years of garage dust and grime on the paint, we'll see how she looks after a wash and wax. More progress to follow.

Joji Tokumoto
Fallbrook, Ca
 

[TurboFource]

First time I saw a 12 point was on the head bolts on my 2.0 in a 1971 Capri,
And they were internal 12 point requiring a special bit....only time I ever used it.
I just ran across my first external torx bolt on my Mazda recently....