Reviving 4139R (74 TCS) after 40 years

[69merc]

Just thought I would start a thread of my happenings with getting my 74 TCS back on the road.  As I’ve lurked for years on this forum, I always gain knowledge and find it enjoyable to see other enthusiasts posts about the work they are doing on their Europas.  I’m not good at documenting everything I do , but will do my best to update progress and ask a lot of questions.  My goal is to get it back on the road …. not a nut and bolt restoration. The history of my purchase can be found in the following thread:

http://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=1967.0

First was organizing the boxes of parts.
Next was a clean and polish of the body to see what I was working with.  The original paint cleaned up nice….it shows some patina but I like it.  I just finished a 67 mustang convertible and need a break from bodywork and paint.👍
The interior is in nice shape ( just cleaned it up).  It does need a new windshield….if anyone has a lead on one of those unicorns, let me know👍
Took apart the reconditioned head ( circa 1980) to check it out.  Lapped the valves and measured and installed new valve shims.
Bought a hyd press to redo the water pump.
Currently I’m assembling the engine in my basement … the St. Louis winters can be cold…. (new rings, bearings, and ball honed the cylinders).
Also, working on the front brakes (new rotors, pads, and hoses).  Surprisingly the master cylinder and front calipers are in working order.  I don’t plan on reinstalling the servos and will see how the brakes are before I make any decisions on the braking system.
While working on the front brakes I was pleasantly surprised to find adjustable Spax shocks.

I’ll do my best to keep posting.
Jim

[69merc]

Sorry some of the pics came out sideways or upside down….I’ll do better next time 🤷‍♂️

[gideon]

Image orientation isn't your fault. It's just confusing since camera manufacturers starting including EXIF information with an orientation field in JPEG files.  Newer software often supports the orientation field, older software doesn't.  And you never know what you're gonna get. 

[BDA]

Good luck and do try to keep us informed! As I'm sure you know, we love pictures - even if they're upside down! It gives us a chance to practice our handstands!

I'd advise you to test your shocks. Without having a shock dyno, there isn't a whole lot you can do but you can at least see if they all react similarly to a weight extending and compressing them. I had some Spax shocks that might have been about the same age as yours and were worn out. Some here have taken to rebuilding their shocks. That's not something I'd do but that's not at all to say that you shouldn't try. Also, I would try to get as much information about your shocks as you can from the Spax folks. When I was working with mine, they told me that adjusting them beyond their adjustment range (and there is no stop) would damage them. You should find a number stamped at the bottom of the shock tube I believe. Send that number to them and see what they can tell you. Here is the contact info for Spax: https://www.spaxperformance.com/classic-contact/.

FYI - in the end, I settled on Protech shcoks and have been very happy with them.

[69merc]

Thank you BDA for the Spax info.  I’m not holding my breath that they are still healthy shocks.

[69merc]

Progress….. hope to start it next week

[BDA]

Excellent!!! Be sure to keep us up to date with your progress!! 

[TurboFource]

 

[Bryan Boyle]

Love seeing this...good going!

(And it looks like it buffed out real well.  Can tell you from experience that, as some have mentioned, a good fiberglass paint job is very very expensive.  Patina has its place in the car world...means the beast was used rather than sat in a museum!)

[69merc]

Thanks for the support! 
Brian -  It does have patina, but still has some shine left for an original paint car.
Can’t wait to get it driving and let the original owner take it for a spin!

[69merc]

It’s getting exciting now!  Hoping to start it up tonight.  Checked oil pressure, fuel system, and even bled the brakes this weekend.  Had it on its own 4 feet for the first time in 40 years so I could turn it around and have the exhaust pointing out of my garage.  Took some “glamour” shots while it was outside.

[TurboFource]

Nice! I can hardly wait to get that point!

[BDA]

That paint looks good for original!

You’ll be driving her soon! 

[69merc]

Luckily it had been stored indoors.  It still has its chips and cracks.

[Bryan Boyle]

Luckily it had been stored indoors.  It still has its chips and cracks.

What is it they say..."If you're not rubbing, you're not racing..."

Chips and cracks are like the laugh lines around a lady's eyes.  They show she has been enjoying the trip so far...the ones in the center of the forehead...not so much.  And just as attractive (IMHO, ok?)

Your gal has pointed her nose down the asphalt.  She's accumulated battle scars.  Adds character, IMHO. 

(and having nut-and-bolted one of these things down to the 6 coats of hand-buffed high solids polyurethane...you end up afraid to drive the damn thing because you'll chip or scratch that $10K paint job, so it sits in the garage and goes out for ice cream with your honey once a week if it's lucky...that's no fun, in retrospect.)