Lotus Europa Community

Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: Sandyman on Sunday,November 11, 2018, 01:41:55 PM

Title: Drive shaft help
Post by: Sandyman on Sunday,November 11, 2018, 01:41:55 PM
I am in the process of stripping down a 71 Europa that has been in storage the last 40 years. I have removed the roll pins from the output shaft / U-joint collar of the gear box but the splines will not slide appart. Any Ideas?
Title: Re: Drive shaft help
Post by: jbcollier on Sunday,November 11, 2018, 02:14:23 PM
Is everything else detached?  Radius arm (brake line), lower link, coil-over, etc?
Title: Re: Drive shaft help
Post by: 4129R on Sunday,November 11, 2018, 04:25:41 PM
I had to break the UJ apart to get the gearbox out, and then just used a two clamp hub puller to pull the yoke off the gearbox diff splines.
Title: Re: Drive shaft help
Post by: surfguitar58 on Monday,November 12, 2018, 09:35:23 AM
Isn’t that the joint that uses double (inner and outer) roll pins? Is it possible you removed the inner roll pins and the outer pins are still in there?
Title: Re: Drive shaft help
Post by: surfguitar58 on Monday,November 12, 2018, 09:36:56 AM
 :Welcome: Sandyman, by the way.
Title: Re: Drive shaft help
Post by: BDA on Monday,November 12, 2018, 09:43:57 AM
 :Welcome: Sandyman!!!

If you have a 336 tranny, it takes two roll pins (at least that is the the current replacement configuration). If that's what you have, make sure you got both of them out.
Title: Re: Drive shaft help
Post by: 4129R on Monday,November 12, 2018, 11:35:45 AM
Does anyone know the size of the hole without the roll pin.

If you can put a drill bit into the hole that size, you know the roll pins are out.

Without seeing it, I think about 4mm.
Title: Re: Drive shaft help
Post by: Sandyman on Thursday,February 21, 2019, 03:00:33 PM
Thanks for the input fellow owners.I added a little heat some slight tapping(to loosen rust) and 2 prybars and they came off. The car came to me in September, the PO had gotten the engine running and was distracted by a 67 Mustang rag top Restoration. My lucky day. VIN 7001.020044Q. Sold in Hamilton ON. Canada some time in 1971. Lots of rust everywhere! Only 30k miles on car. I really don't want to do a complete engine rebuild at this time. Now the Big Question. Is it possable to check and adjust the timing chain without pulling the head?
Title: Re: Drive shaft help
Post by: jbcollier on Thursday,February 21, 2019, 04:02:56 PM
Twin Cam?

Yes, pull off the valve cover and adjust as per manual.

Renault?

It has an automatic adjustor.  If it is fully extended then you need to change the chain, tensioner and possibly sprockets.
Title: Re: Drive shaft help
Post by: Sandyman on Thursday,February 21, 2019, 05:22:47 PM
How do I check tensioner? will the gasket on the head part of the cover stay and not rip? I dont want to pull head.
Title: Re: Drive shaft help
Post by: Sandyman on Thursday,February 21, 2019, 05:23:34 PM
1.5L renault.
Title: Re: Drive shaft help
Post by: jbcollier on Thursday,February 21, 2019, 09:59:25 PM
It's not really possible to check the tensioner on the Renault engine unless you disassemble the engine a fair ways.  What is the issue?  Or, do you just want to check it?
Title: Re: Drive shaft help
Post by: Sandyman on Friday,February 22, 2019, 03:05:36 AM
Thanks for the reply. there are no issues with the engine. just wanted to check. Next quest is to upgrade alternator. I cant find the post that gave the name fo a modern one that will bolt on without much modification.
Title: Re: Drive shaft help
Post by: gideon on Friday,February 22, 2019, 07:30:57 AM
You could try Brise,  e.g. this one

http://www.brise.co.uk/Brise-5SIACR.html

It's a bit pricey, and the amperage is higher and it would have to be shipped from the UK.  Apart from those issues it's probably perfect.  I know there are some cheap (about $40) one wire mini alternators on ebay that might be made to fit with a bit of work.  Search for "mini alternator" on ebay.  I have no idea what the quality of those is like though.  You can also buy a new replacement for the old alternator at reasonable price from regular car parts suppliers like RockAuto.com.  Well, that's all I've got on the subject of alternators.
Title: Re: Drive shaft help
Post by: gideon on Friday,February 22, 2019, 08:05:08 AM
I remembered something.  I think this company probably has some options -  I don't think they do retail, but they do have a US office so it might be worth enquiring

 http://www.wosperformance.com/

Title: Re: Drive shaft help
Post by: jbcollier on Friday,February 22, 2019, 09:13:53 AM
The first question is why do you want to upgrade the alternator?  Old one toast?  You want to add something that draws a lot of amps (AC, etc)?
Title: Re: Drive shaft help
Post by: Sandyman on Saturday,February 23, 2019, 03:00:35 PM
Hi jbcollier, I have not yet checked the existing alternator, others have said that a newer alternator with more than 35 watt out put and internal voltage regulator inhances electrical performance.
Title: Re: Drive shaft help
Post by: jbcollier on Saturday,February 23, 2019, 04:56:02 PM
If you are going to keep it stock, and your old one works, leave it as is.  If you need to replace it, then it is a good time to explore your options.  No other alternator bolts up, plugs in and works.  They will require mods to the mount and/or wiring.  Anything above 50 amps will require mods to handle the greater potential current output.
Title: Re: Drive shaft help
Post by: Sandyman on Sunday,February 24, 2019, 12:44:12 AM
Thanks JB, I will have the old one tested.