Lotus Europa Community

In their first year the Fiat X19 was being flipped at up to $2,000 over retail too.
I nearly bought one.
If I had been able to get a test drive I might have.
Despite several on the lot a test drive was impossible, even just sitting in one was also impossible. Every car in sight was already sold.
My delivery would have been six months out.
No way I was going put down a deposit and make six months of payments without so much as seeing if I fit!
That was on the same day the BMC/Lotus dealer refused to even talk to me.
At least the Fiat dealer was friendly.
So the CT fever is nothing new, just bigger numbers.
In the end they will also lose value quickly, the folk paying substantially over retail will look silly, and life returns to normal.
I think we could have a nice one of every model Europa for less than one CT. 

Hi:

Reviving this thread in search of some updated help. I had mild leakage from both sides and ordered seals and rings from Ray. The rings came in the square variety. I noticed that they (maybe surprisingly) easily slipped over the sleeves on the workbench, but I assumed that once inserted into their grooves, the ID would shrink sufficiently for a tighter seal.

Next, when I reinserted the sleeves, I expected to have difficulty getting them through the rings, as explained in various threads, but there was hardly any resistance as far as I could tell. I first thought maybe what was happening was that they weren't fully seated and that more pressure was required, but I could not get them to go in farther.  The sealing ring nuts went back in with the proper number of turns (with Hylomar) and the drive shaft yokes also went fully into position for pinning. So I'm assuming there's no way the sleeves could still be outside of the o-ring area.

Everything seemed OK after that, but now with just a few more miles on the car, both sides are leaking a TON of lube, and it's coming from the center of the shafts, not the seal. The only thing that makes sense is that the square rings were indeed to large or too thin, to adequately seal around the sleeves.

I suppose I'm going to need to go back in but if anyone has any thoughts on what to check for this time I'd appreciate hearing. Also, if anyone else has had similar experience with the square rings - from R&D - or other sources, please let me know.

Finally, if the rings are the problem, I'd prefer to not have to pay shipping and wait for (hopefully more effective) rings. Has anyone found that suitable O-rings can be found at big box stores?

Thanks,

Ron

“Electric fuel pump with a regulator”

High fuel pressures cause the fuel to “squirt” and create turbulence in the float bowl.  This messes with the jetting.  Fit a proper low-pressure fuel pump that does not require a regulator.

While waiting for the pump, check your valve clearances.

If you search the forum there are posts with recommended 28/36 jet settings.

  johnn1493!!

Wish I could help you with your carb.

I know we’d all love to see pictures of your baby!

Does the Weber have an air filter?

Dirty air filter will restrict oxygen and make the engine run richer.

If the mixture is rich, they start easier, but run too rich when hot.