Author Topic: new owner '74 TCS misc ?  (Read 18569 times)

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Offline Lumbes

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Re: new owner '74 TCS misc ?
« Reply #150 on: Saturday,March 25, 2023, 10:04:54 PM »
It's been a little while since my last post but to update I finished with the front suspension rebuild.  Went with the shortened uprated coils and adjustable spax from rdent for all 4 corners.  Didn't exactly dial in the ride before winter hit but I feel like it was in the ballpark for the street.  Scheduled with a shop to have the engine pulled and for the head to be rebuilt along with anything else that is deserving of attention.  The shop pulled the engine and towed the car back to me.  So far I've replaced the transmission mounts, the radius arm bushes, and removed the transmission to clean and reseal.  Tomorrow I will be pulling the old coolant pipes and replacing with stainless steel pipes from rdent but noticed something tonight when replacing the engine mounts.  Looks like the heavy duty replacements from rdent sit roughly half an inch higher than the originals.  Has anyone else encountered this when replacing their engine mounts?  Is this acceptable?  Before blindly bolting on the new ones I took a picture of the original mount and the new mount with the holes lined up showing the new mount sits higher.

Offline Lotuswins

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Re: new owner '74 TCS misc ?
« Reply #151 on: Sunday,March 26, 2023, 12:04:04 PM »
I surely hope your shop has experience with Lotus Twinks, otherwise you may be in for a really bad experience.

ask me how i know....

Jerry Rude
4005R

Offline jbcollier

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Re: new owner '74 TCS misc ?
« Reply #152 on: Sunday,March 26, 2023, 12:28:22 PM »
Your old mount looks pretty tired.  It could easily have dropped some of that distance.  I wouldn’t worry about it.

Offline Lumbes

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Re: new owner '74 TCS misc ?
« Reply #153 on: Sunday,March 26, 2023, 02:00:04 PM »
Before scheduling the work on the engine with them I made sure to ask if they have experience with lotus twin cams.  They said they do but still keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well on their end. I'm aiming to be finished with everything on my end in two weeks so with some luck the car will be fully assembled soon after. 

Thank you JB for putting your sights on the engine mount pic.  If you wouldn't worry about it then I will move on.  Much to do. 

Offline GavinT

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Re: new owner '74 TCS misc ?
« Reply #154 on: Monday,March 27, 2023, 12:59:54 PM »
Those are two different engine mounts and they're different heights as you've observed.

The one on the right is an S2 mount.
I 'believe' the one on the left might be a TC mount but the TC/TCS guys will know better and correct me if I'm wrong.

Offline RoddyMac

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Re: new owner '74 TCS misc ?
« Reply #155 on: Monday,March 27, 2023, 03:17:57 PM »
Here's a link to the engine mount differences, Lotus used the same style of mount for Elans, Plus 2s, and Europas:

https://lotusmarques.com/info/technical/32-lotus-elan/770-lotus-elan-engine-mount-installation

There are some good photo's in the link to show the differences. 

Offline GavinT

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Re: new owner '74 TCS misc ?
« Reply #156 on: Monday,March 27, 2023, 05:46:36 PM »
First two pics pilfered from Banks / Europa Engineering / Lotus Supplies web site.

The pic with the blue/green background is for an S2. – X026E6011
The pic with the faun background is for an TC. – A074E0549

Last pic is the instructions from Lotus Marques and would appear to be in agreement?

Same story from PNM parts in the UK?

https://www.pnmparts.co.uk/lotus-engine-mounting-6011
https://www.pnmparts.co.uk/lotus-engine-mounting-0549

Offline Lumbes

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Re: new owner '74 TCS misc ?
« Reply #157 on: Monday,March 27, 2023, 05:53:00 PM »
Cross referencing rdents pictures and description on their website the original mount would be an S2 and the replacement is for TC/TCS like GavinT mentioned.  I was certain I ordered the right mounts and with double checking I don't believe I made a mistake.  Wondering why my TCS and TurboFource's TCS came orignially with S2 mounts for a twin cam engine?  Maybe stromberg engine's used S2 mounts and webers used the TC ones?
Opening the link RoddyMac posted shows the elan would use different mounts and mix match them according to the make of carbs fitted.  Perhaps the Europa section is a little light and not as detailed/missing some information. Not sure if I want to return the new mounts for S2 mounts or not.  I'll likely hold off for a few days and see if any more TC owners chime in. 
Old coolant tubes came out last night and the new SS ones are in along with fresh grommets.  Going to clean up and repaint the closing plate tonight and associated hardware. 
Thank you everyone for your replies! 

Offline Lumbes

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Re: new owner '74 TCS misc ?
« Reply #158 on: Monday,March 27, 2023, 05:58:12 PM »
The original right side engine mount is still on the car.  Quick picture of it showing it is also an S2 mount.

Offline Lumbes

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Re: new owner '74 TCS misc ?
« Reply #159 on: Monday,March 27, 2023, 06:03:09 PM »
Two more pictures.  365 is cleaning up alright. 

Offline GavinT

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Re: new owner '74 TCS misc ?
« Reply #160 on: Monday,March 27, 2023, 06:27:25 PM »
Lumbes, I'm going to guess you called RD and asked for a TCS engine mount and they sent you the correct part?

Yep, my understanding is that Lotus mixed & matched mounts on the Elan because the carbs contacted the underside of the bonnet on some configurations.

Because these mounts largely 'fit' either model, the height difference likely passes unnoticed.
Surfing around, it seems Serge has TC mounts for his S1. Maybe he'd swap them with Turbo . .  :))

Offline Lumbes

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Re: new owner '74 TCS misc ?
« Reply #161 on: Monday,March 27, 2023, 08:31:47 PM »
GavinT your assumption is correct. 
Cutting out the old firewall this week and will glass in 3/4 pvc sheeting as a replacement along with a roll of B-Quiet HLiner Heat and Sound Insulation.

Offline Lumbes

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Re: new owner '74 TCS misc ?
« Reply #162 on: Monday,September 11, 2023, 02:31:09 PM »
I bought new rear bearings and hardened spacers some time ago and am now eager to install them.  Big issue is I'm not sure how to remove the axle from the bearing housing.  The book says to put the nut back on the axle and to hammer it out.  I gave it a couple smacks with a mini sledge and not really liking the results.  Also tried to fit a 3 arm puller but couldn't get it to stay put.  The radius arm is still attached to the car.  Will my best bet be to cut that flex brake line near the pivot point of the radius arm remove the radius arm with the bearing housing still attached and then take it to an automotive shop to press it out?  I'd prefer to tackle this aspect of the project tonight in my garage but ultimately am looking for progress.  Any and all advice is very welcome. 

Online BDA

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Re: new owner '74 TCS misc ?
« Reply #163 on: Monday,September 11, 2023, 05:25:36 PM »
If you protect the threads on your stub axle with a nut, you should be able to knock it out of your bearings. Maybe some Loctite got on the stub axle where the bearing seat or maybe the bearings were seated with Loctite and it's a bit harder to break it loose then it might otherwise be. There is nothing else that could be holding the stub axle in the housing.
It wouldn't be a bad idea to disconnect the brake line at the pivot of the radius arm. Don't cut it! It's not easy to get at but it's not as hard as it looks. With the radius arm off, you can support it on something solid and give it some good whacks to break it free.

Or you should be able to find a puller (or pusher :) ) at a car parts store that will work. The puller you've used is probably too small. For example, the Advance Auto Parts near me keeps a stock of tools. It has a deal where you buy the tool, you use it and when you return it, you get your money back. A good puller and an impact wrench should break it free too. It would be an excellent idea to protect your threads with the nut when using the puller!

If it's still stuck, you'll have to take it to get pressed off. I would consider that only when it's obvious that the previous methods fail. They should work so you should need to get this far.

Good luck!

Offline TurboFource

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Re: new owner '74 TCS misc ?
« Reply #164 on: Monday,September 11, 2023, 06:25:41 PM »
Clean the rust off best as you can too as it is trying to go through the ID of the bearing ….
The more I do the more I find I need to do....remember your ABC’s …anything but chinesium!