Author Topic: The Europa at Watkins Glen  (Read 4075 times)

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Offline Runningwild

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The Europa at Watkins Glen
« on: Wednesday,September 20, 2017, 05:22:51 PM »
The Europa was pulled out of a 13 year rest to race again. The sister car to mine.   After replacing the 2 coil packs and battery and checking the crank fired ignition, the car would quit each time at full rpm.  It shut off and would not start again.  After it was pulled back to the garages we would eventually get it started again.  It would run around the paddock.  But the same thing would happen again when it it the track. Any ideas. 

Offline Runningwild

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Re: The Europa at Watkins Glen
« Reply #1 on: Wednesday,September 20, 2017, 05:38:25 PM »
At the Glen

Offline BDA

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Re: The Europa at Watkins Glen
« Reply #2 on: Wednesday,September 20, 2017, 06:11:00 PM »
Crank fired ignition! Very nice. I wish I could help you but all I can do is say, "spark, air, & fuel." After that and checking the timing, I can't help. Hope you get it going! She looks great and sounds like she should run great!

Offline Runningwild

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Re: The Europa at Watkins Glen
« Reply #3 on: Wednesday,September 20, 2017, 06:24:05 PM »
Fuel pressure is good and carb was cleaned. Runs great around the paddock. Got through all 5 gears.
Cuts out at full RPM ?

Offline RoddyMac

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Re: The Europa at Watkins Glen
« Reply #4 on: Wednesday,September 20, 2017, 07:09:11 PM »
I had a somewhat similar issue with the crank fired ignition set-up on a Toyota powered Seven, I traced it back to an issue with the wiring to the crank position sensor.  The car idled fine, but would cut out intermittently when moving.  What system are you using?

Offline Runningwild

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Re: The Europa at Watkins Glen
« Reply #5 on: Thursday,September 21, 2017, 08:23:00 AM »
It's an Electrivomotive system. He talked to the engine builder and they were puzzled also. I passed on your thoughts. Thank you.  Tom

Offline jbcollier

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Re: The Europa at Watkins Glen
« Reply #6 on: Tuesday,October 03, 2017, 03:25:41 PM »
Get it into failure mode and check for spark first before doing anything else.

Offline Runningwild

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Re: The Europa at Watkins Glen
« Reply #7 on: Wednesday,October 04, 2017, 02:02:53 PM »
Thanks. He brought the car back to the shop that built the engine. They have a dyne so they can figure things out. I relayed your message.  Car isn't competitive in scared but will make a great vintage racer. The NG3 has all straight cut gears. At least I got to drive it around the paddock. :)

Offline BDA

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Re: The Europa at Watkins Glen
« Reply #8 on: Wednesday,October 04, 2017, 02:17:50 PM »
Straight cut gears! Where did they come from? (Just curious)

Offline Runningwild

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Re: The Europa at Watkins Glen
« Reply #9 on: Wednesday,October 04, 2017, 03:47:42 PM »
He sent the NG3 to weismann racing transmissions.   Lots of $$$$$ in this car. He raced Scca in the 80's with it. 

Offline jbcollier

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Re: The Europa at Watkins Glen
« Reply #10 on: Wednesday,October 04, 2017, 04:16:11 PM »
Having driven a Healey works rally rep with indecent HP and straight cut gears, I would say, don't forget the ear plugs.

Offline Rosco5000

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Re: The Europa at Watkins Glen
« Reply #11 on: Friday,October 06, 2017, 03:36:42 PM »
That is one nice looking car.  I am a sucker for a race car.  Have you managed to figure out the ignition problem
1974 Europa Special
1969 Europa S2
1970 Lotus Elan +2
1978 Austin Mini - 1275, big brakes
1991 Ford Explorer - Lifted on 33s, custom lift and radius arms
2005 Chrysler 300C - chipped, lowered 22s
2011 Cadillac Escalade - Stage 3 cam, Headers, CAI, 2,600 stall converter

Offline SwiftDB4

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Re: The Europa at Watkins Glen
« Reply #12 on: Saturday,October 07, 2017, 02:53:48 PM »
Any diagnosis on the ignition? My guess would be the crank sensor. The engine builder on my Formula Atlantic used to change the Electromotive sensor at every rebuild.

Offline Runningwild

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Re: The Europa at Watkins Glen
« Reply #13 on: Monday,October 09, 2017, 04:36:08 AM »
No info yet. That crank sensor was new when the engine was rebuilt but the car sat for around 10 years before he pulled it out of the garage again.  He raced one of our formula cars so the lotus was just stored. Over the winter it will go back to the engine builder.  He has "numerous" so not sure of his future plans.  Now if I could talk him into selling that one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Offline buzzer

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Re: The Europa at Watkins Glen
« Reply #14 on: Monday,October 09, 2017, 06:21:16 AM »
An obvious question, Have you played around with the clearance to the crank sensor to the pick up?
Dave,

Other cars. Westfield SEiW. BMW E90 Alpina D3. BMW 325 E30 convertible and Range Rover CSK