54/0651 My unexpected project.

[jbcollier]

PS:  My exhaust clears the stock trunk.

[BDA]

I think you misunderstood my idea, and then, I didn't explain it very well because I didn't check it on my car. On the TC, there is an air gap that runs from the hole in the bottom of the body work for installing the gas tank. It is open all the way up to the engine compartment. I don't know if the same situation exists on the S2 but I think there is something similar. There was a thread on using that area for a cold air intake to the carbs here: http://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=2658.0. I think there is enough space for a 13 row cooler. Mounting it would be a challenge. On the TC, there are diagonal braces against the fire wall but that would only take care of mounting one side. My experience tells me that the cooler should not be held in a cantilever fashion by one side. Mounting the other side would require some creative work. It would also be in the way of coil should it need service. Exhaust from the oil cooler would end up being intake air for the carbs (certainly not ideal). I don't have my carbs in so I'm not sure even that would fit... It was just a thought about how to take advantage of the air flow in the engine compartment. I have another idea about getting air to my cooler such that it would go through it but I'm going to see if I need to worry about it first.

Here's another take on where to put an oil cooler: https://www.prevanders.net/europa/oilsystem.html I like this idea but my exhaust is in the way. It might be an option for you, though. Here is a page with his engine compartment: https://www.prevanders.net/europa/zetecengine.html.

[dakazman]

 Matmavwac, l read your complete thread thanks to BDA reference. Your work on the engine is inspiring since I have that choice. I loved the part of waking your wife up at 2am. Great choice of wheels also. I can’t believe I didn’t read this post at all previously and usually read at least all the today items. Please keep posting!
Dakazman

[matmacwac]

Thanks dakazman. I’ve been writing retrospectively. So I kind of slammed through 2-3 months of work in an afternoon. If I was smarter, I should have written as I went along and I could of enjoyed all of the valuable advice available here.

[matmacwac]

Feb 27, 2019

I was a bit bored today, so I did something I’d been thinking about for a while.

I’ve owned many British cars over the decades and if there’s one truth I’ve learned is that they break down and often at night.

I decided to install some LED lights in the engine bay along the lip of the trunk lid. THe switch is a standard pin type mounted along the right side gutter.

[BDA]

Cool idea! I remember being impressed that the 240Zs back in the day had a light with a wire you could use to light up anywhere on the car - eg. when changing the rear tire at night. This isn't quite that but it's a great idea! I hope you never need it but I might look into my own!

[matmacwac]

I got a PM from Runningwild requesting photos of the engine compartment.
Here is how it looks today.

[1970EuropaGuy]

Fantastic looking engine compartment. What comes next?

[EuropaTC]

Feb 27, 2019
I was a bit bored today, so I did something I’d been thinking about for a while.

I’ve owned many British cars over the decades and if there’s one truth I’ve learned is that they break down and often at night.

I decided to install some LED lights in the engine bay along the lip of the trunk lid. THe switch is a standard pin type mounted along the right side gutter.

What a brilliant idea, plenty of light without much current drain.

Not only for "roadside maintenance"  but those look bright enough for most topside work without having to balance a work lamp in there.  I've got some left over from our kitchen and I know exactly where they're going next !

[matmacwac]

Feb 28, 2019

Today I was walking past the Europa in the shop and I got the idea that I could clean up the front trunk a bit by using some left over door trim/guard.

I didn’t like the way the hole for the fan and intake to the heater looked. It was just raw fiberglass.
I had to add a few spacers to the fan bracket so the fan blades wouldn’t hit the trim.
I think the result is a cleaner look.

[matmacwac]

Mar 6, 2019

I took the excellent advise from 1970EuropaGuy "Kevin" and installed the same 3rd brake light that he did.

http://lotus-europa.info/installing-a-third-brake-light-on-a-lotus-europa/

He is correct that it is a very good fit and looks like it was always meant to be there.
It’s a trailer light from Princess Auto.
 

[Sandyman]

Greetings fellow Ontarian. I just got my first restoration attempt car (1970 S2 Type 54). What a beauty you have made! I hope I can do half as well as you on my wheels.

[LotusJoe]

Do you have any information on your 3rd brake light?

[matmacwac]

Jul 15, 2019

It’s been a while since I have posted to this blog.
The Europa has been a blast to drive and show.
After I carefully broke in the engine and cured a few gremlins, I decided to take it on a long drive. I was in the saddle for about an hour and a half and found it to be quite comfortable to drive when you weren’t trying to get in and out all the time.

There is no way to get in and out of this car and look cool doing it.

Anyway, I needed gas. (Petrol). I filled the tank to the brim and parked the car for the night.
Next morning I was greeted by an overwhelming smell of gas and a large puddle under the Lotus.

The original fuel tank had some corrosion behind the upper mounting tab. I realized that I had never actually filled the tank yet.

I tried to fix it with Marine JB Weld but that didn’t work.

[BDA]

Bummer! I guess it's time to get an aluminum fuel tank.