Steering rack and door hinges

[digby]

Having had the car a year already I've finally finished my other project and can start on the Lotus  first job is to get the body off! so everything is free now except the steering column to the rack. I thought  just needed to undo the pinch bolt and it should slide off but no. So am I missing something?

On the subject of door hinges I thought Id have a look and put some WD40 on them ready to get the doors off but I think these are beyond repair

[cal44]

Now that is funny.............

mike

[RoddyMac]

You have to take the bolt out, the pinion shaft has a groove for the bolt.  With it just loosened it still holds the column to the rack.

[BDA]

Those pictures are so big they're scary! That hinge pin is so rusted, it might actually be easier to get it out than normal!

I suggest either stainless steel hinges (I have a set if you're interested) or the hing kit from Banks which is made of bronze.

[digby]

Thanks for the advice and the chassis is out! now starts the long work on the body.  The engine bar on the car is covered in sliver foil?  don't think this was original but guess its as a fire stop but cant think that it would do much. What is the normal finish for an engine bay?

Richard

[EuropaTC]

Hi Richard,

The engine bay in my TC is just plain fibreglass with black paint and AFAIK that's normal. My car is a one-owner and the guy was meticulous in writing down everything he did to the car (even petrol & oil ! ) but there's no mention of doing anything like removing silver foil.

I would guess it was someone's attempt to suppress radio interference; cover large areas in foil and then earth it ?

Brian

[BDA]

 Brian is correct, the engine bay is fiberglass that was painted black. I'm not sure whether it was for suppressing radio interference or enhancing radio reception. It is definitely not stock.