Thanks guys!
Gavin, the style you mention does appear to be the gold standard. The Elise and Evora use a similar mechanism which has been refined in the aftermarket by a more rigid frame and more durable joints. The problem is like you mention, the translation is done by a perpendicular shaft on the main ball joint. This would be difficult to do with the standard arrangement.
I studied the esprit's shift mechanism which is pictured below. Lotus used a lateral pivoting arm (in this case above the main pivot point.) I took my inspiration from this, and decided to add a spherical joint like is common in modern cable shifters, except it is in the axis of the main shift lever.
My print just finished of the revised lateral arm which captures the joint. I will revise it a bit more before it is committed to metal, but it does feel very positive now. I think it was the angle of my photo which caused confusion. I added a pic of the lever in full side to side, and front to back. The pivot arm will need to be a bit longer to capture the bearing race on the fully back position.
I love the little delicate Europa shifter and I am trying my damnedest to keep it! That monster of a tube that was attached to it....that lives in my attic now.
The wet sanding is progressing well.... I just received a package in the mail with coolant hoses and an alternator per DA's zetec conversion. Unfortunately I may have sourced the wrong one because it looks like I will need to make or source a new pulley for the correct belt.
I also received my M8x1.25 taps and 6mm dowels to finish my Renault clutch conversion on the Zetec flywheel. I need to turn a pilot bushing extension and throw out bearing extension to finish this part of the project off! Then it will have....4 wheels!!!!
I suppose I should ask now. Does anyone out there have any strong feelings on a stand alone ECU? I am looking at the megasquirt MS3 evo.
