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Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: gl6 on Thursday,January 09, 2020, 09:45:21 PM

Title: S1 Europa flywheel mystery
Post by: gl6 on Thursday,January 09, 2020, 09:45:21 PM

Here is a question for the group.

Background:  My son has decided that the Europa is his very favorite car.  Even better than video games. (I am so happy).  So he wants to 'fix one up' with dad.  (I am even happier !)

So I have been collecting bits and bobs with the great help from Dan and Joji, and I have the sister S1 body/chassis to the Team Renault Europa I race.
All good so far.

Now; as we putt along with the project, we were resurfacing a flywheel for the engine, setup on the lathe, dial it in, start a skim cut - and the flywheel is cast iron !
Can't use that on the car(? !)  So I figured it must be a clunker part from he "Renault pile" that I have.
So we retrieve a flywheel from a 'known' S1 Europa Renault engine that I have.  Set it up on the lathe, dial it in, take a skim cut.... it is cast iron too.

Is this right?
Do any of you guys know if the S1 Europa flywheels are cast iron or not.  Is this just weird.

Maybe Richard Mann knows the answer?

Should I care if the flywheel is cast iron or not?

What do you think?

All the best
Greg

   

Title: Re: S1 Europa flywheel mystery
Post by: jbcollier on Friday,January 10, 2020, 06:15:46 AM

Most flywheels are cast iron.

Title: Re: S1 Europa flywheel mystery
Post by: Roger on Friday,January 10, 2020, 08:40:47 AM

Why can't you use cast iron for a flywheel? Apart from being heavy-ish, it's good for the job. Have you heard otherwise?

Title: Re: S1 Europa flywheel mystery
Post by: jbcollier on Friday,January 10, 2020, 10:52:48 AM

PS: The flywheel friction surface should be ground, not cut.  Been a while and I can't remember if there is a step in the flywheel surface.  If so, that will have to be cut back to suit after the friction surface is reground.

Title: Re: S1 Europa flywheel mystery
Post by: TurboFource on Friday,January 10, 2020, 12:37:29 PM

When I had one done it was "centerless" ground, interesting to watch.
The flywheel turned and the grinding stone turned

Steel doesn't wear well, same reason brakes aren't steel or engines.

Title: Re: S1 Europa flywheel mystery
Post by: gl6 on Friday,January 10, 2020, 02:37:08 PM

Cast iron flywheels are not allowed by most race sanctioning bodies.
They have a notorious reputation of flying apart and the bits go everywhere.

After turning a flywheel, I have a toolpost grinder attachment that does a nice job to finish the surface.

Title: Re: S1 Europa flywheel mystery
Post by: jbcollier on Friday,January 10, 2020, 03:01:14 PM

These chaps make/made a "racing" flywheel and a 185mm clutch for the Renault A-series engine.  Their online store is down right now.  Call them and ask.

Title: Re: S1 Europa flywheel mystery
Post by: gl6 on Friday,January 10, 2020, 05:11:12 PM

Nifty.  Link please !
Thank you

Title: Re: S1 Europa flywheel mystery
Post by: jbcollier on Friday,January 10, 2020, 05:12:28 PM

Oops:

http://www.atspeedracing.co.uk