Lotus Elan: First Start after a very long time

Рет қаралды 4,144

Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 31

@markwhitaker3673 Ай бұрын

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.

@johnsheppard7935 Ай бұрын

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.

@mrnovalueinthemarket6315 Ай бұрын

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

@TonyA-tm9ol Ай бұрын

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.

@billyporter2195 Ай бұрын

I was thinking how accessible the engine was until you had to adjust distributor! I admire your patience, good luck 👍

@ianj3663 Ай бұрын

Thanks 👍

@steveporritt1550 Ай бұрын

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.

@FMFGUF Ай бұрын

In my experience (on A- and B-series engines and a Fiat twin-cam), Webers can always be very finicky, even when you have followed detailed instructions on cleaning them and setting them up. Problems with cold starting and flat spots in the rev range abound, it seems! I think the DCOE carbs are really intended for flat-out/race driving and aren't much good for 'normal' usage.

@accentdusud4068 Ай бұрын

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 Ай бұрын

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

@stephenlaw1202 Ай бұрын

looking good, well done

@ehguy3628 Ай бұрын

From a North American V-8 guy, sure sounds like a timing issue. The way the engine is hitting back at the starter that is. 17:02

@ianj3663 Ай бұрын

Yes its definitely timing and may be exacerbated by carb issues.

@andrewwmacfadyen6958 27 күн бұрын

These engines always had issues with the timing at cranking rpm being to advanced causing them to kick back against the starter. Wasn't helped by the puny starter carried over from the 105e Ford Anglia with is two bolt mounting. If I still owned one I would fit a mapped ignition system with timing set close to TDC below 500 RPM

@mikeyc6563 Ай бұрын

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

@ptibbitts-nu9jr Ай бұрын

I feel your pain!

@mikemccarthy1398 Ай бұрын

Well done Ian

@davidevans7772 Ай бұрын

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

@georgeross9834 Ай бұрын

Mine was blue with silver top 130bhp

@ianj3663 Ай бұрын

Thanks for commenting. I think mine was originally red with a gold metalic top. At some time its been resprayed.

@MrGaryjames1 Ай бұрын

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

@johnsheppard7935 Ай бұрын

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!

@RoyDawson-s2y Ай бұрын

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 Ай бұрын

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

@ptibbitts-nu9jr Ай бұрын

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

@jonbretro4596 Ай бұрын

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

@Lemma01 29 күн бұрын

That looks like a +2S - but the roof is not silver? I haven't driven mine for nearly 8 years - so I've asked a man to take a look... will report back.

@andrewwmacfadyen6958 27 күн бұрын

Plus 2S 130 and Plus 2S 130/5 had the silver roof The Plus was always written in letters.