Restoration of 2358R

[Certified Lotus]

I know I'm a bit unusual in that I mostly understand how mechanical things work (thanks to my father who was a mechanical design engineer) so I pay attention to the downstream effect of associated mechanical and electrical components. But I am always baffled by the individuals who are acclaimed enthusiasts of high performance sports cars and have no understanding of the mechanics.

I guess that is why there are drivers and mechanics. The cross over is very rare ;-)

But I digress, will install and keep clean the screening in front of the radiator.

[blasterdad]

 
You pretty much summed up what I was going to post.
I often use the saying, "common sense isn't that common". (Too often).

[Certified Lotus]

While I am waiting for the delivery of a long 7/16 inch open end wrench to finish the removal of the steering rack (went to 4 different stores and no-one had long combination wrenches in stock) I decided it was a good time to spend the afternoon with the media blaster.  Air compressor humming away, rock music blasting from the garage speakers and many rusty parts in and out of my blast cabinet.

I had ordered a fiberglass instrument binnacle for the dash. Mine was warped and I figured replacing it with the same was not a smart decision. Very nice piece, just need to drill out the indicator light holes.

Some of the parts I finished. Now ready for painting.

[BDA]

 Thanks for the pictures! Looking good!

[Roger]

I guess the long 7/16 wrench is for the heads inside the cross-member?
Before I replaced my rack I made some 5/8 wide, 3in long straps with 1/4 holes and brazed the bolts into them.
Now I don't need a wrench to tighten, or loosen, them.

[FranV8]

Here's mine, shown with the rust eaten woven mesh.  The old mesh seemed a bit fine with low open area, so I've changed it to expanded metal.  Frame is designed to fit into the original radiator fixings and also provide a mounting for the fan shroud on the opposite side the radiator refurbished left off.

[BDA]

Pretty! 

[4129R]

I decided it was a good time to spend the afternoon with the media blaster. 

What abrasive do you use?

I am just about to start blasting everything.

[Certified Lotus]

I decided it was a good time to spend the afternoon with the media blaster. 

What abrasive do you use?

I am just about to start blasting everything.

I use glass beads, grit size 60-80. TP Tools sells 50lbs bags. Item #6700-50

[Certified Lotus]

I guess the long 7/16 wrench is for the heads inside the cross-member?
Before I replaced my rack I made some 5/8 wide, 3in long straps with 1/4 holes and brazed the bolts into them.
Now I don't need a wrench to tighten, or loosen, them.

Yes exactly. (Wrench arrived yesterday) Great idea about making straps, might consider that but know that Colin will be upset adding weight........

[Roger]

I guess the long 7/16 wrench is for the heads inside the cross-member?
Before I replaced my rack I made some 5/8 wide, 3in long straps with 1/4 holes and brazed the bolts into them.
Now I don't need a wrench to tighten, or loosen, them.

Yes exactly. (Wrench arrived yesterday) Great idea about making straps, might consider that but know that Colin will be upset adding weight........

Ah, but Lotus only employed people with 8inch steel fingers back then!

[Certified Lotus]

Success in getting the steering rack off. The longer 7/16 wrench did the trick.  The rack is a bit too large for my media blaster so Ill need to head over to my friends house who has a huge one to clean it up and prep for paint. 

The special wrenches for removing the door hinge also arrived (Thanks Jim B!) so I will be tackling that too.

There is a foam rubber self adhesive padding on both the front bonnet and rear deck lid body cavity, which was in horrible shape so I removed it and cleaned up the area as much as possible. Is this an OEM install or PO addition?  (see attached photos before and after)

Spent the afternoon media blasting various small parts and painting them. Also cut off the metal brackets for the non OEM brake boosters and grinding the metal flush.

AND a little surprise while cleaning out small areas in the rear of the engine bay......a mummified mouse whiskers and all! 

Almost ready for the body removal ;-)

[BDA]

Cute (ex)mouse!

The foam rubber on the boot and bonnet are standard equipment. There is one to seal the leading edge of each trunk and another to seal the trailing edge of the rear trunk. Quite often, a PO would put stick on foam rubber in the gutters under the boot and bonnet to get a better seal since the fit was pretty poor.

[Certified Lotus]

Thanks BDA. Any insights to were the rubber can be acquired?

[BDA]

I believe r.d. enterprises has the foam rubber. If not, you might be able to find a local rubber supplier who can help you out. When I was gathering parts for my car, I got some sheets of closed-cell neoprene foam to go between the frame and the body (r.d. sells an equivalent now). They cut the 3/8" thick sheets for me but I suspect they could also supply regular foam rubber if I had asked. Another place to look would be an upholstery or car interior shop.