54/1690

[StephenH]

A few pictures from last week available here (including some fine Lotus 11 recreations): http://martincreely.photoshelter.com/gallery/2013-11-24-MGCC-22nd-Historic-and-Classic-Hillclimb/G0000h.NrQot5GDQ/0/C0000wLSoJ_PZnFk
Copyright Martin Creely.

I'll just post a direct link to a couple, hopefully Martin doesn't mind, as examples of his fine work.
The Victor (have to get lucky at least once).


The Benchmark ('The Judge' in his genuine Group 4 Alpine).

[Bainford]

Beautiful Europa. I love the stance of the side on shot. A very purposeful looking machine. I like the A110 also. A car that is at the very top of my 'want' list, but unfortunately they are priced out of my range now. Cheers.

[StephenH]

A bit of work around thecar.

Maintenance.
Front wheel bearings repacked.
Uni joints replaced, rear wheel bearings replaced.
Everything underneath that moves cleaned, lubed and tightened.
Have a small amount of play on one of the gearbox output splines, but not significant and will be some replacement yokes next time around.

Modifications.
Rear disc brakes fitted.
Shut-off valve for the heater circuit.

Short test drive showed that the brakes work and the cabin was less hot, it was pushing 40C ambient so less hot is a relative measure.
Also explains that it was a short drive, not enough to actually bed the pads and discs in.

Next modifications.
Additional expansion bottle for the cooling system, I want to allow the system to vent into a catch bottle that will return some volume when the system cools.
Then work on the front disc upgrade.

[StephenH]

Rear discs and pads now nicely bedded in and working a treat.

Have been able to wind some bias to the rear and reduce pedal pressure for a start.
Much better feel and the car squats down and stops with less chance of one of the fronts nipping up.


Low speed cooling issue investigated and with great surprise I find the fan is basically installed backwards!
Not going to push much air out the front of the car unless completely stopped, not so efficient regardless.
Tomorrow nights job is to correct that.

[StephenH]

Some pictorial updates.
FYI rear discs have worked out fine and give greater confidence when pulling up, I need to upgrade the wheel studs as with current clearance you need some care in getting everything centered.
Rear number plate up and out of the way although will restrict oil cooler flow a little (don't think a significant issue, summer will tell).
Front number plate has been shrunken in the wash, how did that happen.....

[StephenH]

Nice delivery from the postman today with the 'birth certificate' for my 54/1690 arriving from Lotus.

The surprise to me is that the original paint was BRG, same as it is now.
So with the paperwork I have from 2 owners ago indicating a previous change, I'm happy the most recent paint is back to birth.

Now all I need to do is track down the original distributor (Taylor Speed - Adelaide) if possible to see what I can dig up for further documented history.

[jbcollier]

Lucky as they do not have the paint code for the earliest Europas.  I have one coming for 46/0601 and they don't know the paint for it.

[BDA]

Sorry I'm coming to this late. WRT the heater valve, it confused me why, on the TCs anyway, the valve had a 'step' in it such that if it were closed, you had to overcome resistance to open it but if you opened it you generally couldn't overcome the resistance to fully close it. There must be a reason. Anybody have any ideas or solutions (I used the same valve when I rebuilt my car)?

Congratulations on getting the 'birth certificate' for your car, Stephen! You have a lot more documentation on your car than I have on mine - and I am the original owner! I do have the original window sticker but it's not in great condition. The lack of documentation on the earlier cars, especially, would make it hard to document a car's originality for a concours competition!

[StephenH]

I've found an address for the owner of the 'Taylor Speed' trademark, no idea if it will lead me to any more information but it is worth a letter.

[BDA]

Rear discs and pads now nicely bedded in and working a treat.

Have been able to wind some bias to the rear and reduce pedal pressure for a start.
Much better feel and the car squats down and stops with less chance of one of the fronts nipping up.

Stephen, you have Richard's rear disk kit, right? How did you change the brake bias? Do you also have a bias valve or a twin M/C setup?

[jbcollier]

The same design of heater valve is also used on the TR6, MGB, etc.  It is not a great design for the very reasons you mentioned.  Usually the problem is that the bowden cable can't overcome the tension in the valve.  Lube the valve with rubber friendly product as well as your control and fir a thicker bowden cable.  Even better is to fit a modern heater valve, say from a VW, in the circuit and leave the stock valve open.

[StephenH]

Stephen, you have Richard's rear disk kit, right? How did you change the brake bias? Do you also have a bias valve or a twin M/C setup?

Yes rear discs by Europa Engineering.
Twin master cylinders with a flexible cable drive from the balance bar to to a dash mounted adjuster.

Regarding the heater circuit, I added a shutoff valve in the engine bay as even with just a little circulation the core still ends up hot.
More hot air in the cabin is not something typically needed in an Australian summer.

[StephenH]

A run today at the short Rob Roy hillclimb which started out cool and damp after rain last night.
New Toyo R888 have done the trick, just shy of 1sec from previous best and 1st in the 1600cc open class even with less than perfect conditions 
Much nicer to drive and when the car gets a bit loose it is without drama.

This new PB time brings me to within 0.17sec of the best time for the benchmark Alpine A110 and 0.42sec of the long standing course record for the Group S historic class I normally run in.
That record (held since 1996 by another S2) I have thought pretty much untouchable with that car banned (because the driver was obviously an Alien Superbeing from the planet Europa).
However looking at some of the other competitors today being 0.5-1sec off what they normally run, maybe not......

[Bainford]

  Congratulations on a great weekend. Those times seem very impressive. 

[EuropaTC]

Yep, well done again, you're chipping away at it and I can see you with a record before too long.   Any video footage this time ? 

Brian