Lotus Europa Community
Lotus Europa Forums => Off Topic Subjects => Topic started by: blasterdad on Sunday,January 11, 2015, 10:11:59 AM
-
I'm starting this thread to post whatever, or to bring straying topic chat here...
I'll start off with complaining about the weather, it's up to 29 degrees today, :pirate:
after a week of below zero & single digit temps, along with 4 day winter storm warnings,
a good 2 feet of snow, & 150 car pile ups on the interstate, ect... :(
-
South West Michigan, at that. Of course, I guess you pretty much get the same weather as Chicago or Gary which can be pretty frigid. I hear that Michigan is beautiful, but then I've heard that Alaska is beautiful too. I can't understand someone intentionally subjecting themselves to that kind of weather! You know there are some very pretty areas of the South too! :)
I do hope you all get a reprieve soon, though! I know that's got to make it tough. It's not nearly that cold here in NC and I allow it to crimp my style. I guess I'm a weather wimp! When I lived in New Orleans, my garage was heated and cooled! Now that's the way it ought to be!
-
@BDA
It's pretty much the same as Chicago, except we get "lake effect & lake enhanced" snow.
Moisture from Lake Michigan mixes with the prevailing winds & turns into a giant snow machine,
or adds to a regular system of snow.
The result is us getting hammered, no matter what.
It can be beautiful up here too, lots of winter activities, skiing, sledding, skating, ect.
But as natures design, beautiful things are often deadly.
You have to learn to how to respect it...
-
Please share your snow. We'd love as much as we can get!
-
Please share your snow. We'd love as much as we can get!
Lol, if I could I'd share with everyone, we have plenty to spare,
got almost 130 inches last year, we still had melting piles of snow at the end of April...
(Our back porch) Snow & ice from roof..
(http://i57.tinypic.com/2i71wev.jpg)
-
Man, I'm glad I don't know what you're going through! But I hope for your sake that it doesn't last long.
-
@BDA, That pic is from around Valentines day last winter, not that bad here yet... Just really cold,
-15 this morning, up to 16 now. Supposed to warm up by the end of this week, highs in the low 30's.
-
Hi Ho, Hi Ho, off to build a house I go... :P
Yay Yay, Yay Yay, Friday is payday!... :pirate:
-
Are you going to build your house? or are you a carpenter? :confused:
Happy Payday!!! :BEER3:
-
@BDA... I'm a carpenter, I build custom homes 9-5.
At night & on weekends I "renovate" our own house, (my wife has a different description of it.) ;D
Which means I am also an electrician, plumber, drywaller, painter, tile setter, sider, roofer, & occasionally, my favorite, a Lotus mechanic! ;)
-
It sounds like you have a very useful collection of skills! What would it take to get you to move south? I'd like a custom house (as well as some help with some repair on my house) and garage. ;D
-
It sounds like you have a very useful collection of skills! What would it take to get you to move south? I'd like a custom house (as well as some help with some repair on my house) and garage. ;D
This time of year, all it would take is an address, I'll leave NOW! :FUNNY:
But seriously, we do plan on heading south once the kids are off to college...
-
Might I suggest North Carolina? :))
-
Might I suggest North Carolina? :))
Why not, as long as there's a lake nearby that doesn't freeze over in the winter,
because daddys' jet boat will be coming too... 8)
(http://i59.tinypic.com/29liij6.jpg)
(http://i60.tinypic.com/24nl54x.jpg)
(http://i57.tinypic.com/2r389qt.jpg)
-
Come on down! There are four seasons. It only snows maybe a few times a year and there are a couple of lakes nearby for your jetboat!
-
nahh, that's not a boat for a real Lotus owner - THIS is what you really need....
;)
-
Love it!!! :lotus:
-
nahh, that's not a boat for a real Lotus owner - THIS is what you really need....
;)
Hmmm, now you really got my gears turning, if I put the Lotus on the jet boat hull that would solve all my suspention issues, (none needed), & I could take both of them with me at the same time on one trailer! LOL! Heck, I wouldn't even need to replace the windshield!
@BDA That sounds really good, still have 4 seasons & a LITTLE snow so I wouldn't get homesick.
It might also raise the Europa population of NC to two, well one Lotus & one Botus... :FUNNY:
-
Just let me know when you're coming!
-
Just let me know when you're coming!
One if by land, two if by sea... :FUNNY:
-
I'll keep the light on for you! ;D
-
@EuropaTC, I think you'll enjoy this! :FUNNY:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDEira01c0Q
-
:)
There were times a couple of years back when I'd happily have filled the place with dynamite let alone propane. I'd not heard of BDA's chewing gum option but like the Jasper Carrott sketch all my neighbors have different ways of catching the little so-and-so's.
Brian
-
My suggestion was tongue in cheek but it was something that was suggested to me. I don't remember it working.
-
I'd like a custom house
Custom enough for ya? ;)
(http://i61.tinypic.com/beetg2.jpg)
-
:huh:
is that one house ? Heck, we have major hotels over here that are smaller than that place !
I do like it, very "olde worlde castle-ish". I think I'd need a map or GPS to stop me getting lost inside though....
-
Looks nice, but what sort of garage does it have? :)
-
:huh:
is that one house ? Heck, we have major hotels over here that are smaller than that place !
I do like it, very "olde worlde castle-ish". I think I'd need a map or GPS to stop me getting lost inside though....
Looks nice, but what sort of garage does it have? :)
It has two, you are looking at the rear of the house, the garages are on each end of the house.
They each have bonus rooms above them, (a second floor) that are connected to each other by two hallways & a catwalk that goes through the great room! They are both on a 45 degree angle to the rest of the house, as the front has a circle driveway with a fountain in the middle. It was a headache to build. I'll get a pic of the front next time I'm there.
@Brian- Yep, one house. A retired couple is having it built, one bonus room is going to be her quilting room, the other is going to be his workshop.
-
Sounds really nice! I'd like to see more pictures! Too bad I can't afford it... but even if I could, I couldn't move to the frozen North!
-
Sounds really nice! I'd like to see more pictures! Too bad I can't afford it... but even if I could, I couldn't move to the frozen North!
I totally agree, I couldn't afford to heat it, let alone pay the property taxes on it! :o
-
Now see, if you built that house down here, it wouldn't cost so much to heat!
-
Now see, if you built that house down here, it wouldn't cost so much to heat!
Once again I agree, but not my idea of a house to retire in, TOO BIG!.
I want a house I can heat with a candle & cool with a bucket of beer on ice. ;D
-
Might have to "Max" out the Europa... >:D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iO0jUAzOsV8
-
I'm not sure I want to see a Mad Max version of a Europa! Yikes! :P
I like the race Europa you posted for Clifton's thread! That would never be a good Mad Max car!
-
I'm not sure I want to see a Mad Max version of a Europa! Yikes! :P
I like the race Europa you posted for Clifton's thread! That would never be a good Mad Max car!
I'm not sure, but it looks like a Banks Europa to me....
As far as "Maxing" the Europa goes, I'd just have that blower sticking up out of rear deck lid,
maybe some straight pipes to go with it.... Probably wouldn't even make it a couple blocks without getting pulled over. C:-)
Can't wait to see the movie though, looks pretty good... (in a cheesy, guy thing, kinda way) ;D
-
My wife sent me this at work today on my phone.
Best birthday cake ever! (except for grandma's) ::)
Took me a while to figure out it was a google cake.... :FUNNY:
(http://i60.tinypic.com/2cihhfb.jpg)
-
Happy birthday, Blaster!!! :beerchug: What a cool cake!!!
:lotus:
-
Happy birthday, Blaster!!! :beerchug: What a cool cake!!!
:lotus:
Thanks BDA, I wonder if it's fat free... (you know, simplify, then add lightness). :FUNNY:
-
:FUNNY:
-
Got my real birthday cake tonight! 8)
(http://i60.tinypic.com/i1fyaa.jpg)
-
Happy Half a Century, Blaster! :beerchug: Just remember, you're still a pup!
-
:)
Now that's cool. Happy birthday Blaster.
Brian
-
:)
Now that's cool. Happy birthday Blaster.
Brian
Happy Half a Century, Blaster! :beerchug: Just remember, you're still a pup!
:) Thanks guys.
-
Sounds really nice! I'd like to see more pictures!
Got a pic of the front... And our fresh 18 inches of snow Sunday.
(http://i60.tinypic.com/69f77c.jpg)
-
Nice house. Now if it didn't have all that snow!!!! ;D
-
The trouble with snow is that it looks really pretty in pictures, but loses it's attraction the minute it starts to clutter up where I'd like to drive ! A great house but sadly too big for us, I'd get lost in it. Good if you have relations or friends that travel a long way to meet up though, perhaps that's their idea ?
Moving slightly off topic but still on "chatting" I see Mike Abbas in the UK has got a Banks Europa up for sale. No price that I could see, but lots of great pictures. He often advertises in Classic & Sportscars and I've just got the latest issue so if there's a price in that I'll add to the post. You need to scroll down the page and he has a link to lots more pictures from underneath the advert.
Brian
http://www.mikeabbasclassiccars.co.uk/carsforsale.htm (http://www.mikeabbasclassiccars.co.uk/carsforsale.htm)
-
:coolpic:
Absolutely beautiful, would HAVE to get rid of the square headlights though.... :P
-
The headlights aren't my favorite part, and I'd want stainless steel braided plumbing but I'd suffer that gladly to have a Banks car!
-
I agree, just why someone decided a square headlight would work in a rounded bodywork section had me scratching my head. Clearly it's a nod to the original 62 and I suspect that came out in the period when rectangular headlights were coming into fashion in the UK.
Having said that the rectangles don't work, a pure round one isn't so good either.
http://www.lotusespritturbo.com/Lotus_62_Replica.jpg (http://www.lotusespritturbo.com/Lotus_62_Replica.jpg)
I guess the real answer is to stay with the rectangles but cover them with perspex covers to fade them into the profile like one of the originals ?
http://www.mikehaywardcollection.com/product/3503/miles-and-muir-lotus-europa-62.htm#.VNZIciyZQdU (http://www.mikehaywardcollection.com/product/3503/miles-and-muir-lotus-europa-62.htm#.VNZIciyZQdU)
-
@Brian, I think you're right about the covers, would look even better if they were tinted dark so you couldn't see them at all... 8)
-
How to bypass airport security in London... :FUNNY:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-31711446
-
I feel bad for the woodpecker!
-
I feel bad for the woodpecker!
He got away. :pirate:
-
A Happy Ending! :))
-
This will be in the toy collection when we are empty nesters, problem is... getting swmbo to ride in it with me. :FUNNY:
She has clearly stated that she won't. ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E73yfmqaQk
-
It can't be because she's claustrophobic! There's no roof! I'll bet she doesn't appreciate the melodic sound of the engine (that's six inches behind her head), or the gentle "whoosh" of the air going into the blower (and trying to suck her head in with it), but then, maybe it's that she doesn't appreciate the ride on the water (as it pounds your kidneys into hamburger). Some things are just an acquired taste. Then again, maybe if you took her out in one of those alcohol guzzling rocket boats, she'd learn to really appreciate your Lotus!
-
As you say, it's an acquired taste, but if it's not chocolate she wants no part of it. :FUNNY:
Our current jet boat tops out around 55mph, which usually results in the "stink eye" around 50.
I'm pretty sure 120mph would get lawyers involved. ;D
It will be, without a doubt, "dad's" boat. ::)
-
You need to start leaving chocolate bars in the passenger seat of the Lotus now so she'll keep looking there. When the car's finished, close the door behind her and take her for a ride! Just make sure you have more chocolate bars for the trip!
I don't know much about alcohol burning engines but a guy told me his alcohol burning race boat used a huge hose for the injectors. IIRC he said he used -8 AN (1/2" DIA nominal) for EACH cylinder! It was a long time ago and my memory could be off so maybe it was -6 AN (3/8" DIA nominal) but I don't think so... His alcohol bill had to be huge! Something to think about...
-
Yes an engine running on alcohol requires a lot more than gasoline...
http://www.hardtail.com/techtips/alcohol.html 8)
-
Alcohol has about half the energy gasoline has but to give a little perspective, all four of the cylinders of my little four banger are fed by a single -6 line! The guy said it said the fuel lines poured alcohol like a garden hose. I was very impressed!
So one of those will be your toy when Lake Michigan thaws?! They are a different world from cars!
-
So one of those will be your toy when Lake Michigan thaws?!
No, Lake Michigan is way too rough! Anything under 40 feet is like a wine cork in a washing machine, v-drives are strictly inland lake & river boats.
It is possible though, since it is a boat, but the big lake is seldom calm, & you would use most of your fuel just going through the channel of the pier getting out to it, (no wake). :(
-
Sunday eye candy...
(http://i58.tinypic.com/mc7r6q.jpg)
-
Thanks, Blaster! :)
-
Can't let the day go by without at least one post...
(http://i61.tinypic.com/21ou55i.jpg)
-
Is that where you're headed with yours?
How's the weather up there? Has it thawed out yet? We need to see some posts on your progress!!
:lotus:
-
Well, no that's not where I'm headed with the Lotus, (although that wouldn't be a bad direction).
Just a pic on google images, (drool) looks like a 47.
As far as the weather goes we broke 60 once, (barely) back to 40's for the rest of the week, mid 20's at night, which is about normal.
As far as progress goes I could show you a new bathroom, (almost finished) or a new kitchen, (not almost finished) ::), but since this is a Lotus forum not "This Old House" I'll spare you. :FUNNY:
I need to get these projects out of my hair before I can devote any real time to the Lotus.
It looks like we are still going to the Lotus exhibit at the car museum in PA though, will have some pics of that for sure!
Hopefully I'll have some pics of progress on our Lotus soon...
-
It was 52 degrees today here in NC! I could even hear it if I listened carefully: "Come to the warmth, Blasterdad!" :FUNNY:
-
Real boats have sails, because real mariners don't burn their alcohol! :BEER3:
-
Real boats have sails, because real mariners don't burn their alcohol! :BEER3:
I quit drinking 11 years 2 months & 25 days ago, had to find something to do with it ! :FUNNY:
And yes, real boats do have sails, got my first sailboat when I was 12.
A 10 foot catamaran called a "katyak". Loved that boat...
-
It was 52 degrees today here in NC! I could even hear it if I listened carefully: "Come to the warmth, Blasterdad!" :FUNNY:
Reminds me of one of my favorite jokes...
One day, a man from Cleveland hears a voice, it says,
"Quit your job, sell your house, take all your money & go to Las Vegas".
He ignores the voice.
The next day he hears the voice again,
"Quit your job, sell your house, take all your money & go to Las Vegas".
Once again, he ignores the voice.
By the end of the week, all he can hear is the voice, over & over,
"Quit your job, sell your house, take all your money & go to Las Vegas", until he can't take it anymore.
So, he quits his job, sells his house, takes all his money & flies to Las Vegas.
As he's getting off the plane the voice says, "Go to the Sands Casino".
As he's getting out of the cab the voice says, "Go inside & go to the Roulette wheel".
When he gets to the Roulette wheel the voice says, "Take all your money & bet it on Black 13".
He listens to the voice.
The dealer spins the wheel...The ball drops.. Red 27.
The voice says, "FU#*!".
-
That voice was stupid! Anybody would have known to pick red 27!
However, this voice is smart! Compare weather for yourself! :)
-
Believe me, I compare it every day! It was colder here this year than it was in ALASKA!
I'm use to the cold weather because I work outside, but my wife absolutely hates it.
We are slowly warming up though, it got up into the 50's today. :pirate:
-
Congratulations Blasterdad. Keep it up.
My 1st boat was a Hobie 16 that I got when I was 16.
As for the weather... Some of you've got the blues, but were under a red bulls eye. With the heat has been record snowfall. Alta resort is currently 100" below the lowest season's total snowfall. NOT the season average but 100" below the record LOWEST season. We need nearly 300" of snow to make it to average. :'(
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tmAVJZjc_vo/VQrQPU_1YiI/AAAAAAAAhuY/ExARiou7tGw/s1600/feb.gif)
-
We definitely had the opposite, coldest February on record...
Kind of expected it though, last summer was pretty mild, IIRC we only had one day that hit 90.
The summer before we were in the 100's for a few weeks...
-
Sunday already, time for some more eye candy...
(http://i58.tinypic.com/2pq6lx2.jpg)
-
Ok, Blaster. You now have a template. Time to get to work! :)
-
Sunday again, this one caught my eye this week...
(http://i58.tinypic.com/f4nqd4.jpg)
-
Another nice one, Blaster! I'd vote for that one as a pattern for yours!
The snow must be melted now. It's time to get to work! :)
-
Another nice one, Blaster! I'd vote for that one as a pattern for yours!
The snow must be melted now. It's time to get to work! :)
It snowed today for a few hours, but most of it is gone.
Still cold though, high teens / low 20's at night.
Winter doesn't pay attention to the calendar around here.
I like the air scoops & fuel caps in the sails on it, would like to do something similar.
-
I like the wheels, too!
I've never figured out what those air ducts feed, though.
-
I like the wheels, too!
I've never figured out what those air ducts feed, though.
I agree, those wheels do look good on it, & the air ducts feed your ego. as they just look damn cool. 8)
-
Sunday eye candy time again...
My hat is off to Richard this week! ;)
(http://i60.tinypic.com/2cysfna.jpg)
-
He really is an artist, isn't he?
-
Interesting! I wonder how long he has been running this car? I photographed a heavily modified Europa at Oulton Park in the UK back in 2000 that looks very much like this one. I'll have to go through my old pictures (pre digital) and see if I can find it.
-
It could be a development of this car (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKSfJZxYfg4) and if so, is a few years old as the video was posted in 2012.
-
The pic is of a Banks type 62, it's off his website. 8)
-
I guess this post falls into the "general chatting" thing, so here goes. I've just received my copy of Classic & Sports Car and had to chuckle at the article on Mike Kimberley. He's recounting the tales of how he & Tony Rudd did the Rome & back drive in the early days with the Europa....
"On one occasion I was asleep and felt a nudge. I looked over and Tony was fast asleep ! The car was tracking beautifully at about 80mph but every now and then it was just kissing the kerb...."
:huh:
Brian
-
That would be a rude awakening!
-
"On one occasion I was asleep and felt a nudge. I looked over and Tony was fast asleep !
I can see that happening, I've sat in ours & thought, "this is the most comfortable seat I've ever sat in". I'm 5'6" & it fits me perfectly.
-
Brian, Any idea if that article is available on-line or will it be?
Mark
-
Sunday again already, found another pic of this one, I love everything about this car, except for the fact that it's not in my garage. ;D
(http://i57.tinypic.com/6qi6tc.jpg)
-
Another beauty, Blaster!! Love the wheels!
-
Another beauty, Blaster!! Love the wheels!
I commented on the wheels in a different post & was given a couple of links, they are STUPID EXPENSIVE! (But worth every penny) Maybe someday...
-
It's not only the wheels, but the knock-off hubs which means different uprights, which means different suspension... I'll bet it has a killer motor in it!
Somehow, you seem to find just the right pictures that makes me want to tear my car apart and rebuilt it like that! Then I think about the time and money and what Mrs. BDA would say!
-
I totally agree/understand, whenever I order parts I have to factor in the cost of new shoes that will arrive at the same time... :FUNNY:
-
Sunday eye candy time, this week...
(http://i58.tinypic.com/spvog0.jpg)
-
Another nice one, blaster!
When are we going to see yours - or is it still snowing up there? ;D
-
I've been working on it a little, put the new cam seal in it last night, took it back out because I thought I put it in too far, (I didn't) bought another one today & the inside of the seal folded out on the camshaft. :headbanger:
Oh well, third time will be the charm. (hopefully). ::)
No more snow, just lots of rain, snowblower off, mower deck on! :)
-
Good luck with the cam seal, blaster!
-
Thanks, I was being rushed by the fam damily to go to the lake, hence the result...
I won't have that problem tomorrow. ;)
-
Cam seal in! I'm now officially an expert at installing & removing them. ::)
-
Well, blaster, there are worse things to be an expert at! ;D
-
It's Sunday eye candy time again...
This weeks candy is sour, I wonder if they put a fart can on it too... :o :FUNNY:
(http://i62.tinypic.com/2mq0wls.jpg)
-
Don't give them any ideas!
-
IMHO the aerofoil completely ruins the look of a very pretty car in a good colour.
I presume someone has worked out that the back end needs more downforce, and the car needs less straight line speed.
I have never had a problem with the back end except on snow or wet grass, and presumably they are not expected to race on either of those.
I cannot see the point at all of the modification.
-
I think I had something like that on my Europa on the Playstation years ago. Perhaps the guy has Gran Turismo ? :)
Brian
-
IMHO the aerofoil completely ruins the look of a very pretty car in a good colour.
I presume someone has worked out that the back end needs more downforce, and the car needs less straight line speed.
I have never had a problem with the back end except on snow or wet grass, and presumably they are not expected to race on either of those.
I cannot see the point at all of the modification.
When I saw the pic the word "modification" did not come to mind, "idiotic" & "blasphemy" did...
:huh:
-
Sunday eye candy a little late...
This week, one word comes to mind, DAMN!!!
(http://i62.tinypic.com/vrviat.jpg)
-
Really! That didn't look like it was any fun at all!
But why does the Pontiac look so bad?
-
Yes, what did the Pontiac hit first?
-
I also thought that the Pontiac must have hit something, and then the Europa hit the damaged Pontiac.
-
If you look at the way the back wheel of the Europa is bent, it looks like the Pontiac hit the passenger side at an angle from the front spinning it around... :confused:
Hopefully no one here will ever have such a bad day!
-
Sunday already, this week....WHY DO PEOPLE DO THIS???!!!!
(http://i58.tinypic.com/nvyfa.jpg)
(http://i61.tinypic.com/i73ms5.jpg)
-
Pretty sad :(
-
Pretty sad :(
:I-agree:
Indeed, next week something not so depressing...
-
Gosh, I hope so!
-
Wabi-sabi
It almost looks rusty.
-
It would be a good car for Igon to restore, (Ghostbusters) he collects spores, molds, & fungus. ;D
-
Will be busy tomorrow, so Sunday eye candy is early...
I like the headlight covers, has anyone seen/sourced these?
The flares & wheels are da bomb too...
(http://i57.tinypic.com/2eyw70y.jpg)
-
Is that at Paul Matty's place ? It looks vaguely familiar although it's quite a few years since I've been there. If so, I'd imagine they, or Richard at Banks, would be able to source them.
Brian
-
Is that at Paul Matty's place ? It looks vaguely familiar although it's quite a few years since I've been there. If so, I'd imagine they, or Richard at Banks, would be able to source them.
Brian
I have no idea, just commenting about the pic, (google images). :)
-
maybe here- http://www.kelsport.net/parts/products.asp?CategoryID=28&PartsectionID=23
or try to track down this seller- http://www.lotuseuropa.org/gallery/Larry-s-73-Special/Europa_Headlight_Cover_Instructions
Homegrown plexiglass headlight covers-
http://www.lotus-europa.com/manuals/lotuswest/54BI085.html (http://www.lotus-europa.com/manuals/lotuswest/54BI085.html)
http://www.lotus-europa.com/newsletters/lotus_west/54BI085.PDF
Other Europas with headlight covers-
http://www.fusiontechnology.com/lotus/lotus_1_014.htm
http://www.lotuseuropa.org/gallery/Larry-s-73-Special?page=2
-
Wow, great homework! Thanks! :trophy:
-
I had them book marked.
-
Happy Independence Day to all of us on the US side of the pond!!!
I hope everybody on both sides of the pond (both of them) has a wonderful day!!
-
Happy Independence Day to all of us on the US side of the pond!!!
I hope everybody on both sides of the pond (both of them) has a wonderful day!!
Thanks BDA, we had a great day at the lake & just got home from the fireworks & boat parade. :pirate:
-
My propane cannon at the lake, always a "blast" this time of year! :FUNNY:
You can't lite this thing off & not end up with an ear to ear s#%t eating grin. ;D
(at least I can't)
(http://i57.tinypic.com/9hualv.jpg)
-
That does look like fun!!! You could mount that on your boat and terrorize the lake!!! :D
-
North Carolina is great. Or maybe the South Carolina Sea Islands. Not fresh water, but it's all around us. It's hard to find a place that's not within a couple of miles from water. It's only about 10 yards from our house. 4 seasons too, but unlike NC, it's snowed 3 times that I can remember in the past 20 years.
-
It seems that the number of posts to this board decline over the weekend. Hopefully, that's because we are either working on our Europas or even better, driving them!
-
Well, most unusually for us in Lincolnshire, we had sunshine ! So I was doing what I do best, supervising the chickens from a lounger...... :)
-
I was cleaning up a block and cylinder head ready to reassemble the engine of 4688R.
Then I bought a valve grinding tool, the grinding paste, and a small wire brush to clean all the carbon off the ports.
I also bought a large plastic tray which is for kids to put their stuff in under their beds. With 8 litres of paraffin, it makes an ideal bath to wash the cylinder head in.
I found that those damn "mud dawbers" had blocked the oilways in the block with mud, two had hatched and were in the wire bowl which is the strained oil pick up in the sump, so I am having to check every oilway in case the oil feed is blocked to any moving component which will make it seize quickly after initial start-up.
The PO had fitted Omega high compression pistons. Does anyone know what this raises the compression to?
QED say about 11.5:1. Time for higher octane petrol.
-
Here are the offending items.Thank goodness I decided to remove the strainer otherwise the oil holes, probably to the crank, would have possibly been blocked with wasp.
I would hope the oil filter would have removed these.
I will have to explore further.
-
Well, they won't be clogging up any oil passages any more! :)
-
Local genius! :FUNNY:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkUVx2sHQt8
-
Maybe this is why they don't allow self service gas pumps in New Jersey! After all that, I hope he got the spider! He probably didn't though. It was probably too smart for him! :FUNNY:
-
Local genius! :FUNNY:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkUVx2sHQt8
An ideal candidate for the Darwin Awards.
How could you be so stupid, and have lived to be old enough to own and drive a car?
-
I heard a lovely story about Chunky this morning at my local garage, from an ex-Lotus employee.
During 1963, he had run out of credit with Ford, but needed about 10 Cortina bodyshells, so he trundled off to Dagenham with some large employees and car trailers, blagged his way in, and helped himself to 10 bodyshells.
He then took them to his factory, made them into Lotus Cortinas, sold them, and paid Ford for the bodyshells.
It seems running out of credit with parts suppliers goes right back to very early Lotus days, and is still a huge problem today.
I heard of one potential supplier who was asked to supply specialist bearings, and said he would gladly do so it he were paid before delivery. Needless to say, he did not get the contract.
-
I guess some things never change. It seems as though Lotus is always on the edge of bankruptcy. The F1 team has the same disease even though it's pretty much Lotus in name only.
-
I spent the weekend cleaning up a stripped down block, 8 pistons and conrods, and a crank that came in the container from Louisiana. All the pistons were standard bore.
Some of the piston rings had seized in the grooves. My attempts to get the oil scraper rings out resulted in several broken rings.
Standard bore pistons may not be available to buy, so replacement means a + .020 rebore and new pistons, the wrong side of £600 ($1,000).
QED Engineering say they can supply new 4 piece oil rings for the original standard Hepolite pistons. I hope so as that will save me £500+ for new pistons, and a +.020 rebore cost.
The crank needed polishing on the mains and + .010 on the big ends. There were a few bits missing on the dismantled engine #2 in the container. Jack shaft was the main one. QED are ordering one for me.
One of the sets of pistons had raised compression high crowns, and lots of ribs all the way down the skirts. Not original. Does anyone know of ribbed pistons? Luckily the rings were all cleanable, so no search there for replacements.
Every week during my engine rebuilds (3 on-going), QED get a list of parts required on a Monday (shims, gaskets etc). The parts are usually delivered by the Wednesday. Now there is service for you.
-
That time of year again!!!
51 times around the sun.
(http://i68.tinypic.com/103siza.jpg)
-
Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday dear Europa!
Happy birthday to you!!!
:lotus:
How does it feel to be young? :)
-
:lotus:
How does it feel to be young? :)
It feels pretty good, although it could be sugar from the coffee, cake, & ice cream... ;D
-
So who is older? You or Europa?
-
So who is older? You or Europa?
Me, I began "production" in '64 & left the "factory" in '65,
The Lotus wasn't "born" until '71. :FUNNY:
-
I should have known that Europa could not have been "born" in 1965!
Then I should have sung Happy Birthday to you! You're going to want to close your ears here. Once is enough for anybody!
Ready?...
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday dear Blasterdad!
Happy Birthday to you!
Ok, now you can take your fingers out of your ears! ;D
-
Thank you very much BDA, that didn't sound that bad at all...
Although, I am half deaf. ;)
-
As long as you listened with your deaf ear, you'd be all right! ;D
-
Over the weekend we had a tragedy unfold in our community, a gunman randomly shot and killed 6 people & critically wounded 2 others.
Saturday night alerts went out that there was a killer on the loose, & by Sunday morning he was in custody.
Kalamazoo & it's surrounding communities is a pretty big city, but not so big that people don't know each other in some way, & to me the aftermath of what happened proves this.
Sunday Morning my wife went to McDonalds to get the kids & their friends breakfast & returned home in tears.
She told me when she got to the window to pay for the food the cashier handed her a receipt, informing her that the lady in front of her had payed for her meals, ($23+). Well, the lady in front of her had to pull forward & wait for her order, so when my wife got her order she parked & went over to her & tried pay her. She refused to take it, stating that if she had wanted her money she wouldn't have done it in the first place. It was just something she likes to do.
She told me they talked for a while about what had happened, then parted ways.
I noticed today too that just about everyone I've seen has smiled, said hello, held open doors, motioned to go ahead at stop signs, ect. ect.
I'm not trying to start some big deal internet response to this, just my observations of the past couple days.
We can't stop people from doing evil things, but from what I've seen, their deeds just make the good in all of us stronger.
Stay safe. Bdad.
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/kalamazoo-shootings-6-dead-3-wounded-after-random-shootings-michigan-n522946
-
How wonderful that your wife was the recipient of a random act of kindness especially when it could have been a random gunshot! I had heard about that guy. Obviously, it's all over the national news. I hope and pray that those who were impacted by this person's evil/insanity are able to find the comfort they need. With stories like yours, there is some hope of that.
Stay safe and stay positive!
-
Happy thanksgiving!
I will be spending mine alone to finally put down our new kitchen floor.
To accomplish this requires nobody to be here, (Including the dog).
This has not happened for over a YEAR!
So off to relatives they ALL went.
Well, time to get started on the Lotus, :o oops, I meant floor. ;)
Have a great holiday!
-
Happy Thanksgiving to you, blaster, as well as the rest of the Lotuseuropa.org crew!
-
Happy Thanksgiving to all those over the pond, I hope you can all spend time with friends, family or your cars/projects!
-
I miss working on my Lotus.... Damn it when will the house be done!!!!
-
I miss working on my Lotus.... Damn it when will the house be done!!!!
x2 & in my case... Never. ;)
-
Blaster & Chuck, we love having you guys around, but we're getting a little anxious to see something happening on your Loti! Seeing new roofs and tile, and reading stories about furry rodents is great fun, but we're itching for some Loti building or driving stories! Obviously, we're not expecting driving at this point, but a post that involves a wrench would be a big step forward! :FUNNY:
-
Blaster are you having rat problems too? I caught 6 in my attic so far....
-
Blaster are you having rat problems too? I caught 6 in my attic so far....
Chipmunks, (cute rat). One in the house, (he met the cats & dog) one in the garage, (he got out) Two in the live trap on the front porch, (relocated them) & one met my shotgun... >:D
Had to take the day off today to pour cement for our new carport base, (winter storm moving in tonight) so I'll be screwed if I don't.
Projects here never end. :P
@BDA, I did manage to mount my new electric fan & remove the boot & bonnet, not exactly pic worthy but at least it's something.
Way too many irons in the fire to play with the Lotus full time. :(
-
Hopefully you two will be able to replace one of those irons with a Lotus iron soon! We're all waiting for some noise to come from your direction!
-
Blaster are you having rat problems too? I caught 6 in my attic so far....
Chipmunks, (cute rat). One in the house, (he met the cats & dog) one in the garage, (he got out) Two in the live trap on the front porch, (relocated them) & one met my shotgun... >:D
Had to take the day off today to pour cement for our new carport base, (winter storm moving in tonight) so I'll be screwed if I don't.
Projects here never end. :P
@BDA, I did manage to mount my new electric fan & remove the boot & bonnet, not exactly pic worthy but at least it's something.
Way too many irons in the fire to play with the Lotus full time. :(
Let me know how the pour went. I am going to be doing that in about 2 months.... Thinking about pouring a second slab in the back yard for a proper shop while I am at it.
-
"Let me know how the pour went. I am going to be doing that in about 2 months.... Thinking about pouring a second slab in the back yard for a proper shop while I am at it."
Well, this is how it went... PITA!
Worked 12 hours straight, no break, no lunch, one swig of Mountain Dew I found left in my truck. :P
Mixing 43 60# bags of cement to fill 10 12"Wx3'D holes was the easy part. ::)
The fun part was finding grade, leveling, straightening, squaring, laying out, & drilling holes in the 4x4's the base bolts to.
The "directions" say just rebar it down on level dirt, (steel carport).
Gee, let me think about that....ummmm....NO!
Some pics of how to do it right...
In two months it will be in the 20's for a HIGH temp around here, so if you want me to come down & help you build your shop, I'm already packed. :FUNNY:
(http://i67.tinypic.com/2cgc934.jpg)
(http://i66.tinypic.com/10r4tc0.jpg)
(http://i63.tinypic.com/2dsgt8m.jpg)
-
Of all the things I have done I hold concrete work in the most loathsome regard. I think of the time that my friend bid a job to pour speed bumps in a parking lot and conned me in to helping him. Oh my god what miserable work it was. My friend used to pour golf cart paths with his father and his hands felt like they were made out of granite from always being cured by concrete dust.
In 2 months I will have the guest room ready so come on down ;)
-
Of all the things I have done I hold concrete work in the most loathsome regard. I think of the time that my friend bid a job to pour speed bumps in a parking lot and conned me in to helping him. Oh my god what miserable work it was. My friend used to pour golf cart paths with his father and his hands felt like they were made out of granite from always being cured by concrete dust.
In 2 months I will have the guest room ready so come on down ;)
:I-agree:
I HATE cement, I would've got ready mix but our driveway is too narrow & right next to the house, (I don't need a cement truck in my basement), so I had to do it the hard way, (NEVER AGAIN).
And you are correct, My hands are DESTROYED. They are rough to begin with, now they are a mixture of leather, 100 grit sandpaper, & bloody knuckles.
Would love to see the new guest room, preferably after the cement has cured... :FUNNY:
-
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
My resolutions are as follows...
1. QUIT SMOKING! Money better spent on the Lotus & might be around long enough to to actually drive it.
2. NEW CAREER! The wind blew a second story 18' gable over on top of me Thursday, & I fell about 12' onto the front porch roof.
Got lucky & walked away with some SORE ribs & a couple bruises.
(this makes twice from a two story, first time hit the back porch roof then the ground)
Basically going to eliminate two things that are doing their best to kill me.
Getting too damn old to be doing either one!
This post puts me at 400, going to try to be around long enough to hopefully see 4,000. :beerchug:
-
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
My resolutions are as follows...
1. QUIT SMOKING! Money better spent on the Lotus & might be around long enough to to actually drive it.
2. NEW CAREER! The wind blew a second story 18' gable over on top of me Thursday, & I fell about 12' onto the front porch roof.
Got lucky & walked away with some SORE ribs & a couple bruises.
(this makes twice from a two story, first time hit the back porch roof then the ground)
#1 I'd agree with that but then again I'm one of those folks who never "got" the idea of smoking, so it's easy for me to say but a bit harder for a regular smoker to do. New year is a great time to start stopping..... ;)
#2, now that is scary. I get jelly legs at anything over my own height up a ladder so the idea of falling 12' ranks alongside the worst nightmares. I'm glad to hear it's only a few bruises, you've been very lucky there. A new career on terra firma looks good, it sounds like you and gravity don't get on !
Happy New Year Blaster, to you & all the other folks on the forum.
Brian
-
What Brian said!
2017 is a great time to make a new start!
A new career may be a bit further. They say that people have three careers but I could only manage two. Having something indoors that is warm in the winter and cool in the summer sounds like a start!
I'm pulling for you!
-
Carport finished. :pirate: Another step closer to working on the Lotus!
(http://i66.tinypic.com/2v3672d.jpg)
(http://i65.tinypic.com/214yruo.jpg)
(http://i64.tinypic.com/28s0akz.jpg)
(http://i65.tinypic.com/34h9v1u.jpg)
-
Congratulations, Blaster! Another step in your journey!
:lotus:
-
Congratulations, Blaster! Another step in your journey!
:lotus:
I need to pay closer attention to the road signs along my "journey".
This step led me straight through Hell. :FUNNY:
-
Congratulations, Blaster! Another step in your journey!
:lotus:
I need to pay closer attention to the road signs along my "journey".
This step led me straight through Hell. :FUNNY:
:FUNNY:
-
Belated happy birthday and that layout of garages on both sides of the house is very cool!
-
Belated happy birthday and that layout of garages on both sides of the house is very cool!
Thank you, 52 years young this year :deadhorse: lol.
Last I heard those people ran out of money & that house never got finished/moved into... :o