Lotus Europa Community

For the longest time I assumed that my Europa had Girling type 12 calipers, as peering behind/under the wheel revealed only one clamping bolt on the bottom, like a type 12. Little did I know, there's something between the 2 bolt type 12s and the 4 bolt type 14s: three bolt type 14 (14p?) They have 48mm pistons, like a 14 would.

I went to remove the front calipers so I can bug my rebuilder, and found these. Googling the casting number got me to an FVP rebuilt caliper that's listed as fitting all Series 1 and 2 Europas (67-71). It also lists a 48mm piston, so some parts directory definitely has type 14 listed as fitting early Europas.

I'm trying to ascertain if my car left the factory like this, because it seems that it did. They looked a little tight around the dust shield (probably designed for 12 and the same part as a Mk1 or 2 Spitfire), but fit just fine. I don't see any evidence of mucking with the brakes or plumbing or etc.
The only place I've seen it mentioned that the early Europas used type 12 calipers are on forums including this one. That finally took me to the obvious solution of pulling up the parts book, which shows type 14s as being for a Series 1 (and 2) car. The pistons listed, 36J6000, are 48mm type 14 pistons.

Given all that, I'm fairly certain that not all (any?) early cars rolled out of the factory with type 12 calipers.  My concerns of overbraking the fronts by installed 14s are also likely unfounded in that case.

Willwood reply:

Troy,

I see no issue with you installing the proportioning valve backwards to reduce front lockup. A better option would be to use a balance bar with two different size single master cylinders, but you probably don’t have room for that either.

Just for my own information, what are the specs on the original Girling calipers used on these cars? Piston size? Mounting bolt spacing? Rotor thickness?

Wilwood has our own copies of several Girling calipers, but I do not know how close they are to the one Lotus uses.

Having popped a rubber brake line in traffic on a single circuit master cylinder car once, I hope you are at least upgrading to braided stainless flexlines.

Bryan

Turbo, what material did you use for that hose seal? I want to make some, too.

I think 7/8" rear cylinders from a Morgan +4 will work.  I have a pair lying around I plan on trying to fit sometime this year.


I'm not a fan of mismatching components and then using a funky valve to try and sort it.  Adjustable proportioning valves are not meant for street cars.

Sunny morning in Yorkshire (as usual) so sacked the garage off and cleaned up the plenum flanges for the eyeball vents and the front number "plate" letters and numbers in the sunshine. Good to be able to salvage the odd metallic item. Flanges came up well  but will need a polish to shine properly, and the letters and numbers will  need a coat of paint I think. Looks like these were silver.

Now got to break off and deliver my camper to eldest child who has a mould issue in her rented house. Don't these people know I'm busy?