Lotus Elan: First Start after a very long time

[@johnsheppard7935]

Hi Ian - great video! I had a plus 2 130s some years ago and this bought it all flooding back, From what you are experiencing I'd say the timings out. Once you have it correctly set up it should start with just a couple of pumps on the gas, no need to use the choke! Good luck - the twin cam is a lovely engine when its on song.

[@TonyA-tm9ol]

Well done in getting it finally running..! Look forward to hearing how you get it running well..These Lotuses are buggers but we love 'em for all that. !Good luck.

[@markwhitaker3673]

With my 69 Elan S4, cold starts on my 152 Webers means 2-3 seconds of cranking to fill the bowls, one half out choke , 4-5 pumps of the throttle and it usually will start first time. Warm starts just crank the key after 2 pumps of throttle. I found carb balance to equal air flow through the throats is critical for smooth idle/running and not always checked when in the shop. Experimenting with idle/main jets and air correctors is a bit of a chore, esp if your car is modified. Even the stock jet settings can be suspect with the fuel we have to use now which is quite different from 40 plus years ago. You may need to go up one notch in terms of richness to get good running. I also use a fuel filter in between the fuel pump and carbs with a pressure regulator. Modern pumps often run at higher than needed pressures for Weber equipped twinks, which is usually around 2.5 psi-my pump was putting out 6-7 psi resulting in leaks/overfueling. Also, air leaks at the carb/intake manifold o rings can be an issue with smooth running-lots of stuff to check. Glad you got it going Ian and look forward to more! Cheers.

[@mrnovalueinthemarket6315]

Another good video, pity about the gasket failure, that’s heart breaking.I fitted an electric pump just to prime the carbs, starting is so so much easier.Balance the carbs, easy to do and if you have std jetting then it’s just the idle mixture. A guns on colour tune is a good buy and works well. Cheers Mark

[@steveporritt1550]

My +2, (currently off the road), was always a pain to start. It's better now but still not instant. I replaced the fuel pump with an SU one from my MGB & changed the coil, so that it would give more power on start. I think a modern starter motor is also a worthwhile upgrade. How you are supposed to adjust the points is anyones guess, mined had an optical pickup when I bought it. It would be interesting to know if when new if they were easy to start when cold. I never had any trouble when warm, just two squirts on the throttle to activate the accelerator pumps & then turn the key. I'm guessing that the Stomberg carbs make an easier start, my MGB on SU's always starts easily. Weber carbs always seem slower but maybe it's just the age of the cars.

[@ptibbitts-nu9jr]

I feel your pain!

[@accentdusud4068]

Hello from France Ian and many thanks for your vidéo. They are very helpfull as I have the same to do on my plus2

[@mikeyc6563]

keep at it .All the fun of owning a classic .

[@stephenlaw1202]

looking good, well done

[@MrGaryjames1]

On anything of this vintage a goodly smear of wellseal is almost mandatory or if it persists permatex grey

[@mikeyc6563]

cometic head gasket also for cork on head where cam chain goes and cam cover .

[@johnsheppard7935]

Just read the other comments. I'd suggest you get the timing right then move on to balancing the carbs, as you likely know you need to balance the chokes on each carb then balance the carbs together - all good fun good luck!

[@davidevans7772]

You need to balance the airflow through the carbs and then adjust the mixture to get it running better. It took me some time to get mine right

[@jonbretro4596]

Did you fit the failed gasket with Wellseal? Doesn't look like it..

[@mikemccarthy1398]

Well done Ian

[@knoxyish]

only a single row chain??? alfas used a duplex chain i always thought the twin cam ford engines did as well??? lovely car !!

[@andrewwmacfadyen6958]

Ford Kent pre+X-flow but with a DOHC head and minium changes. Which is why Cosworth went to gear drive on the FVA and toothed belt on the BDA

[@ptibbitts-nu9jr]

Did the head gasket re-sealing, work ok??

[@RoyDawson-s2y]

Painful to watch.The Dellorto's need full choke when starting from cold.The carbs spitting tends to be related to fuel float heights,it all needs checking,and seting up properly.

[@mreuropa88]

Had my TC on Dellortos for over 40 years and never used choke even in winter!

[@mreuropa88]

Go electric fuel pump! Saves all that cranking to suck up fuel to carbs after not beeing run for a while.