Lotus Elite Chassis & Cam Belt Change | Classic Obsession | Episode 60

After the Lotus Elite's successful trip to Cars & Coffee on the Liverpool docks, Gary is inspired to keep working through the car's list of jobs. So after changing the oil, filter and belts he's back to Lotus specialist Chris Foulds to discover what problems might be lurking underneath the car. Is the chassis rotted? Is the suspension shot? How big a restoration will this be...?!
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[@kelleredward6153]

I can’t for the love of me understand why this channel does not have more subscribers. First class. Truly.

[@MrGrantgoulding]

me too

[@spencerbrowning4126]

Saturdays just got a whole lot better thanks to you Gary ! Most relaxing, very fine work indeed.

[@seang7012]

This channel has rapidly become my favorite weekly classic car tune in...

[@leepilkington6498]

Thanks, Gary. Fair play doing the M62 in that weather!

[@kurtbrueske]

Thank you Gary…nice to have a Lotus shop with parts and knowledge people close by. Appreciate the time you afford to making and posting your work, some of the best content out there. Cheers from the USA!

[@stephenhenion8304]

Intriguing to see just how the experts evaluate a Lotus Elite...definitely a few surprises there... thanks Gary

[@alastairmulholland-cox345]

Thank you for sharing these videos. It’s great to see someone driving and fixing things rather than just ‘tearing it all down’.I’d love to see the body off job, I’m sure there are a few Elite owners who would like to see how its done. Happy Sunday.

[@jamesellsworth9673]

And check on the common places for corrosion and dirt to accumulate.

[@csnelling4]

Well done Gary you changed the timing belt 👍I knew what you were thinking when you didn’t change it initially 😂 I’ve had the same worries when I changed my first timing belt 😉manually turning the engine over 360°twice is spot on practice. I used to be a vehicle inspector and the sounds of the hammer on your chassis was talking to me!!! I could hear what was good and bad metal 😉 Cars don’t alway run at their best from manufactures specifications mate . Look up dwell angle of distributor points, that maybe the problem with your timing Gary point are mass-produced , point heels wear altering point gap settings and dwell angles . Thanks for your very enjoyable videos Gary 👌🥇

[@classic.obsession]

I agree dwell and points as well as condenser are crucial! Regards

[@rolandlumby9411]

Following this with interest Gary as I'm waist deep into a nut and bolt restoration on a '74 Elite. Couldn't help noticing something when you were changing your cam belt. Not sure if it has already been mentioned or not. Pause the video at 26.55, directly below your hand is the thermostat coolant pipe, below that you can see the other main coolant connection. Short aluminium pipe comes out of block and straight towards rad, it's in the wrong orientation, should go staright down. The lug with the hole trough it allows you to bolt/secre it directly to the engine block. then into an L shaped pipe with a spiggot on. Great series, lots of useful information in it. Thank you.

[@stephenhenion8304]

Back in 1976 I lived in Denver CO... 4 blocks from the Gates Rubber co plant. Around the same time they were building these cars. Kind of brings back memories...

[@scottstrails9369]

Cheers Gary,another trip down memory Lane for me with this Lotus Elite time machine taking me back 40 years working at Carburettors Unlimited( GETTABETTACARBURETTA) in West derby with these babies in from the trade for tweaking .Hope all goes well with the wheel bearing /chassis works..nice work thanks again

[@DS246416]

Out for a morning run, shower, and what a surprise, logging onto another superb episode :) loved watching the carb set-up, you don't see that very often anymore!

[@jimmymanan5997]

Enjoyed so much you and the mechanic tinkering w the car the old fashioned way, no mysterious computer diagnostics involved and straighten things w a common sense approach! 👍

[@Br1anuk]

Gary the Rolls Royce centre caps on your red convertible were made by a company called DIBRO plastics who were based in Litherland next to the train station. The site is now a LIDL store and the company is still going in Aintree. We had them as coasters in my mums house.

[@classic.obsession]

Thanks. I may chase that up as I’m one short. Regards

[@alexday5892]

Tuning in from Sydney. Good to see you again Gary. Nothing like a walk in pit. They make such a difference. To be fair, that existing cam belt looked brand new. No signs of cracks or wear. Lovely to see all of the timing marks lining up perfectly. Chassis in surprisingly good shape. It’s that sagging interior cloth is griping me. I know you have your list but it will be great to get that sorted. Keep up the great work mate.

[@bengraham6672]

This is one of the most underrated car channels on KZbin. I love the content mate, keep it up

[@1Z50railtourinfo]

Needed a coolant washout, and completely fresh coolant? The corrosion inhibitor in new coolant is worth it if you do this.

[@martinclapton2724]

These cars drive so well that’s it’s sometimes difficult to find any maladies in the suspension/ chassis set up , but you will “ feel “ the difference when they have all been done , Gary. I thought that Steve was spot on with his carb tuning at the Lotus specialist , ( more than I can say about somebody else , who confesses to be the bees - knees on carb tuning , who appears on KZbin ) . This car is most definitely worth keeping and persevering with . Good stuff. The chassis , once sorted , can be kept good with Hammerite paint then sprayed with good old WD40 . Have you considered using a fuel additive such as Millers rather than readjusting timing to suit ? I admitt, todays fuels rubbish for carb rubbers / fuel lines etc ,. P.s . The corrosion on top of the chassis , where the body sits top on also effects the Reliant Scimitar GTE , obviously a similar construction.

[@lukemallory7832]

Shots fired!

[@gregorcameron8638]

What a lovely Saturday morning treat - thank you !

[@jaityas1279]

Good to see another Elite being brought back. With regard to the timing, 10 degrees is the right figure, the timing marks on this one aren't like any I've seen before - possibly ones Tom made, could it be those that are out? It definitely needs that throttle return spring too with the way it was hanging up there

[@butterfliesandtape]

great episode there Gary, very relaxed and informative (as always). That gates belt looked brand spanking. save as backup!

[@GT380man]

Enjoyed seeing the four way manometer. You can hear the engine note sweeten as the carbs at idle come into balance. A road test is needed to evaluate the fuelling under load and at differing revs. The slower than ideal return to idle after blipping the throttle can be more than just a return spring problem. If the idle mixture is too lean, it’ll also hang up. On my bikes, idle mixture is perfect when it drops back to idle promptly and, if anything, dips slightly below idle, before returning to a steady idle.

[@simonelliott5956]

Great to watch this lovely Lotus come back to life.

[@keithgarland3404]

Glad to see you changed the cam belt, while you have got the bonnet off, and you had a replacement belt. Although best practice would be to replace tensioners etc at same time, lots cheaper than rebuilding a lotus engine, after cam belt or tensioner failure. Not dissing you, your work is generally top notch.

[@GT380man]

I believe he chose not to change the belt. It’s Gary’s prerogative. Each to his own. I think I would have. I’m not sure it would have been a sound decision. A proven belt with no visible defects is arguably a known quantity. A new one might fail almost immediately. Especially if it’s “new, old stock”. I respect the owner’s decision, especially when it’s an informed one. I’ve seen Gary be quite willing to spend on parts when it’s called for, such as the rubber seals on that beautiful old Mercedes convertible. I saw one just like his, in white, on holiday in Tenerife yesterday. It smelled gorgeous as it accelerated away up a slight incline. I gave the occupants an enthusiastic thumbs up as they swept by, and the lady passenger gave me a grin and a wave in reply. It looked like a couple, enjoying their venerable, old school, properly analogue vehicle. I have a deep respect for such vehicles. They were low volume mass produced items, but no robots were involved. A human attached every single component.

[@davylad4804]

He did change it after all@@GT380man

[@GT380man]

@@davylad4804Fair dos. I missed that. My watching was interrupted half a dozen times.

[@micdev42]

When you started it after you'd changed the timing belt, I said to myself out loud: sounds nice. And you said exactly the same a couple of sends later! I can see why you didn't change the belt, but there's obviously an issue with time-based degradation irrespective of miles covered.

[@pedrosalas4460]

Carburators and their issues Another great sunday, thanks Gary

[@hTyKn1]

As an Esprit owner I envy the access you have to that belt. The belt on a mid engined Esprit is right up against the firewall and I have the scars on my knuckles to prove it hahaha My 907 is set at 10 degrees.

[@rEdHoUsE_1969]

One the most straightforward cam belt changes ... relatively easy access & no real complicated procedures ... simplicity at it's finest ... 🤔

[@buzzardfly1]

Hi Gary, been watching your channel for a while now, I’m from Blighty but live down under, and that’s because of my job being in the bearings and power transmission industry. I totally agree with your decision of not changing the timing belt, I’ve been selling Gates belts for nearly 30 years and they are far superior than oem and after market belts. People think that because parts have the car manufacturers name on them that they are the best but car manufacturers don’t make belts, they make cars. That belt would still outlast the new one you’ve put on, god knows who lotus got to make them, probably the cheapest bidder!. Love the channel, don’t stop what your doing champ, keep up the good work 👍

[@classic.obsession]

Thanks Buzz. I’m gonna fit a gates Cambelt kit on the 928GT. Who’s the best supplier here in the uk? Regards

[@buzzardfly1]

@@classic.obsession I’ve been out of the uk for a while but call Hayley bearings, a great company, they’re Gates agents.

[@andyplage6590]

When it come to lifting the body off I'm sure there's plenty of Local viewers that are more than willing to lend a Hand Myself included!! 6 ppl makes it an Easy job !!

[@craigrobertson7938]

Good old Tom indeed. He knew what he was doing

[@user-du4cy7pt3l]

Good show Gary, I’ve got a 1982 Excel and just checking the workshop manual -yours is a spec 5 car which has a specified static ignition timing of 9. +-2 degrees. But the primary timing set up is to aim for 25 deg at 3500-4000rpm +-2 degrees. Have a look and check your centrifugal weights are actioning the advance properly. I’m surprised the garage didn’t get on to that. Essentially though set it where it runs its best and with no detonation. Cheers Colin

[@classic.obsession]

Thanks Colin. Yes it’s always a bit of a grey area taking into consideration modern fuel in a 1970’s engine also. I think you can get a good idea of how a car is running correctly by the smell from the exhaust. So many things are crucial. Timing, Points and plug gap, mixture, dwell angle…regards

[@adrianriley780]

My go to classic car channel. Thank you so much.

[@philipmulville8218]

Absolutely love the accompanying music. You have great taste, Gary!

[@LiquidAudio]

I’ve got an original mercury 4 stick manometer for motorcycles, love that thing!

[@Simon-ry1lw]

As you say, peace of mind changing that belt 👍

[@lukemallory7832]

It's a really cool little car. As a kid I hated them, but now I like oddities and it certainly looks like nothing else on the road!

[@billyt8165]

Just missed saying hello in BQ . We got bumped to the next checkout by the happy checkout lady . lol. Never mind . But if your ever n hale village again . Let me know I will make the tea . Had a look to see what car you were in . same as me the good old merc estate .👍

[@neilharrison7555]

As the video progressed, I was making mental notes, regarding cost.......the old phrase "Oh, this ain't gonna be cheap" came to mind......sorry! Thanks for another good video, very informative.

[@TheSizzlingBadger]

I had a Lotus Eclat in the '90's, basically the same car as yours but with a prettier back end. The chassis on mine rusted out and I was only young lad with little free cash so I swapped it for a Ford Sierra so I had transport for work. Its great to see these cars still around, they are pretty fragile in places and take some real time and effort to get up to scratch again.

[@Erwinhooi]

Another great relaxing video, thanks!

[@peterconnor4193]

Thanks for the video mate, really enjoyed it 👍

[@marcusd2380]

Another good video and I glad u kept in about the tunning even though it wasn’t perfect. As u say new fuel has a big effect. Yep gates are the best belts for sure and always good to change so u know it’s right.

[@janpellegrom9649]

I really enjoy your content! I find it all fascinating, thank you 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@shane6115]

Oh lovely, my favourite scouser😊

[@crisholmurb007]

Pushing the thumbs up and leaving a positive comment before watching. I know this will be enjoyable ;-)

[@dereknolan9891]

Really enjoyed that video Gary thanks 😊

[@martinboulden4388]

Awesome Gary.

[@no.7593]

You're probably right about the old belt, but I had a fairly new one on my Elite which let go on the way to MOT knackered the engine and garage wouldn't pay etc. Cam belts don't last long on Elites and a nasty lesson!

[@classic.obsession]

Yep. There’s no wright or wrong I suppose just piece of mind. Even though the old one was in great shape it’s done now. Regards

[@adamgilesconcoursdelegance9302]

Thx for a nice Saturday evening !

[@markwhitaker3673]

Thanks, Gary, for such a great video. Nice to watch the carb/timing adjustment and cam belt changing. I wish we had more available expert help here in the US for Lotus. I have found with my 69 Elan that some of the tuning specs go out the window as well for timing, plugs/gap, carb jetting, etc. due to the availability of fuel, prior tuning and so on -all of which has required a bit of experimentation. Happy to say my car does run well. Looking forward to more videos re this Elite. Cheers.

[@davebarron5939]

Thought, when was the cooling system last flushed / changed to fight Electrolysis? Good stuff, Thanks.

[@jimmyquinn9639]

Lovely job ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️👏👏👏👍👍👍

[@kevinwright3141]

Re the chassis - would you consider wire wheeling it and repainting, with a durable rust-preventing solution? Love the thing, lovely quirky looking thing!

[@FastTrack-1]

Great vid as usual Gary. I was suprised you didnt do the belt, as I have found even though the rubbers OK, the internal nylon fibres inside the belt which you cannot see break down..

[@classic.obsession]

Did you watch the full video? I did it !!

[@FastTrack-1]

@@classic.obsession Yes...I meant on the first round when you changed your mind.

[@steve291274]

Another really enjoyable video Gary. Looking forward to what you did next to the Elite. You're inspiring me now to get my M100 Elan sorted and put back on the road..👍

[@AdamOrban123]

Fantastic content. A pleasue to watch!

[@user-vh4ju3rv4c]

Another great video Gary, plenty to do then?

[@luckylimbo4816]

Love your videos on the old lotus,do you watch classic soup motoring his rebuild of an old lotus is truly a work of art

[@nsdlsarn]

Thank you for another great vídeo

[@edgworth]

Yep. Never use grease in trunions. Always EP90.

[@Dg-zj6jo]

loads of trouble you know the rest ha be nice when its all done sir what a job

[@ronniewilson6597]

Great video Gary 👍🏻😀

[@johncollier608]

It's like a classic red convention in your garage, Gary. Not meant in a bad way, in any sense. Another great series. Are you still planning on taking the body off? That'll be fascinating to see if you do. Thanks for sharing, Squire.

[@classic.obsession]

I know John. I’m surrounded by red….big game tomorrow!! Regards.

[@charliejackman2953]

I just recommended your channel to a mate who has an Esprit & doesn't like poor camera work. I told him there was no shaky pictures, you had an 76 Elite & it was a great little channel. He's just come back with: "Is he Noel Gallagher"? 🙄Where to start!!!🤣🤣🤣

[@neildonaldsonlotusexcelresto]

Thanks for that Gary... I still have to do my carbs, I bought the Gunson Colortune... Do you recommend this product?

[@classic.obsession]

Definitely Neil. I think it’s the best. Regsrds

[@neildonaldsonlotusexcelresto]

@@classic.obsession Thanks mate

[@GT380man]

That suspension design leading to UJ & wheel bearing wear is quite alarming.

[@Liam-vm9uy]

Hello Gary. You say that you’re getting the interior sorted. Does that include the dashboard where the colour has changed?

[@srlane61]

I'm thinking maybe... overheating and rough-running on the drive home more likely caused by mixture adjustments than timing adjustment?

[@classic.obsession]

Hi. I think if mixture was weak you’d probably be right but car was running rich if anything. Defo wasn’t happy on the new timing setting. Almost immediately I re adjusted it was happy again. I hate rich mixtures on a car. You can feel it choking up. I prefer to err on the side of lean when an engine burns cleaner and smells right. Mixtures crucial for a happy engine don’t you think? I’m impressed with these Lotus engines. I think a lot of thought went into the design and development of these cars.but definitely an acquired taste!! Regards.

[@srlane61]

@@classic.obsession Hi Gary, completely agree with rich/lean - one of the Weber tuning books I have talks about a "heavy idle" when the mixture is over-rich...sounded weird when I read it but I get it now after lots of DCOE/DCNF tuning. I didn't know that about Dellortos (I think they are?) that need 3-4 turns out initially, I suppose they taper their mixture-screws differently? I've never had a Lotus but good to see the timing belt go on (relatively) easily. I just did a Fiat Dino engine which has a pair of timing chains, 1 each bank - lots of head scratching before that looked right. The channel is great, really like the approach. Got me thinking all about Pagodas and 928s again 😄 - all the best.

[@GT380man]

A bit surprised that neither Gary nor the mechanic wore specs while doing the underbody inspection. I don’t bother either unless I’m wire wheeling something, so I’m not judging the guys.

[@bobolulu7615]

What I do these days is wear a thin plastic helmet when working under a car. It sure has saved a heap of head knocks.

[@AndYourPointWasWhat]

My learning point was having rust particles scraped off my eyeball with a needle...

[@hermannwissemberg9192]

Hi Gary and Folks, When changing a timing belt, adding the water pump and tensioner(s) are simply not a luxury.QED...

[@BMan100]

Lotus Elite Chassis & Cam Belt Change OR! " Lotus Elite OUF!"

[@mec-tec]

Nice one Gary, im currently in the process of reviving an Excel SE thats been sitting for 23 years, i have 4 videos on it on my channel MEC-TEC if you fancy a look 👍👍👍

[@classic.obsession]

I’ll take a look..

[@mykehyslop198]

Nice to see a Scouser repair a car and not steal one.😂😂😂

[@davidwitham5588]

Has it been set at 16 to compensate for a problem with the centrifugal advance in the dizzy?

[@classic.obsession]

No idea, previous owner was quite meticulous and did a lot of work on the car rebuilding both the engine and gearbox but being 95 years old he’s forgotten a lot of what he’s done. Regards.

[@JOHNHENRYHOLLIDAY-rl5mi]

is this where AMC got the GREMLIN design?

[@roofdownfun]

Hi Gary, as much as I trust your judgement I'm afraid I have to disagree eith you on the cam belt, the fact that you was 20 minutes away from fitting a genuine one I'd have just done it! Love watching you and your attention to detail psl, but that's what surprised me on your decision. Tom

[@classic.obsession]

Hi Tom. Confused. Did you watch the full video? Regards

[@roofdownfun]

@classic.obsession That will teach me a valuable lesson to get all the information before I become a keyboard warrior Gary, as you were. 👌🤣 in fairness I was 2 pints in that evening! Top videos and keep them coming pal. 👍

[@berwhaletheavenger]

Those Elites are funny old things. And please - when you restore it....clean up but keep the original number plates. So many old cars are ruined with new plates.

[@classic.obsession]

I wholeheartedly agree!

[@apb3251]

So the mechanic suggested going on a test drive, did that not happen? As he would have noted how it was running. Also you mentioned an over heating issue blaming the timing but then show the coolant looking like pond water. 😂

[@classic.obsession]

Yes.

[@johnstephens1447]

Why not change the belt when you have a new one and it looks easy to change, then you know it’s fine and you won’t have that nagging feeling that it could break, especially with the bad rep those belts have !

[@ivanfernyhough3851]

He did change it

[@SuperWayneyb]

🤘😎🤘🚗💨

[@stephenelder2783]

Gary When are we getting some porsche content? 😉

[@classic.obsession]

Next up..

[@stephenelder2783]

@@classic.obsession Great stuff can't wait hopefully some dry weather as well !

[@anthonydonnelly8419]

Gary, I am helped to organise an invite only event at Lotus in late September to celebrate 50 years since the introduction of the Elite. Would you be interested in attending with your example?

[@classic.obsession]

Hi Anthony yes. Keep me posted and if you need to email it’s [e-mail]

[@anthonydonnelly8419]

@@classic.obsession great I will be in touch shortly. Thanks

[@tomthompson7400]

You forget how basic these things were ,,, but to be fair , I would have still put a new belt on , for all they cost . I swapped the hp fuel pump un a range rover last week , and used the old belt loop in the vise trick to hold the pulley to swap the thing over , the belt looked to be in first class condition ,,, it tore like toilet roll ,,, but , your car , your way.

[@classic.obsession]

I did it at the end of the video Tom. Regards

[@tomthompson7400]

@@classic.obsession these cars are the total bargain of the motoring world at the moment ,,, enjoy yours.

[@happychappers8311]

Don't run classics on E10 fuel. You need to run them on E5 like Shell V-Power

[@GT380man]

I always buy the highest octane petrol available for my venerable two stroke bikes, but I use only bog standard two stroke oil. Their lubrication systems were designed to work properly on ordinary 2T oil.

[@classic.obsession]

I always do.

[@happychappers8311]

@classic.obsession I wondered if running it on modern E10, or just unleaded in general, maybe causing the running issues ? But then again, just because I'm named after the man himself doesn't make me a Lotus expert. 😆

[@jonboy9912]

With a car of that age the rule book goes out of the window and its about experience with what you got!

[@blarkdexture8899]

Nightmare to own a old English car

[@johntate5050]

Money pit.

[@mellymel3121]

In what way are they a money pit?

[@daggggy]

L O T U S means Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious

[@carlotomass119]

Ever thought of taking one of the cars on European road trip Gary ?

[@classic.obsession]

Yes. All the time. I’d love to drive through Italy..

[@carlotomass119]

I’ve got a house in southern Italy drive there every year for 6weeks . I live in Scotland btw

[@carlotomass119]

Can I ask …. ( stupid I know 🙄) … why check and line up where it is when you tasked it off is exactly where to put it back on ?

[@classic.obsession]

Incase during taking off and fitting the new one you manage to knock one of the cogs out a coupla teeth. This way you keep everything lined up avoiding disaster. Regards.

[@bobolulu7615]

I dont want to sound like a poobum, but you should have changed the tensioner bearing while doing the cam belt. Ive seen them fail more than a belt break.

[@classic.obsession]

I’ve already got one on order. They do go and they’re easy to. It and cheap. Regards.