Author Topic: Reviving 4139R (74 TCS) after 40 years  (Read 4308 times)

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Offline 69merc

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Re: Reviving 4139R (74 TCS) after 40 years
« Reply #90 on: Sunday,August 21, 2022, 03:13:34 PM »
Thanks for the info on the wheels, I did not know that  :beerchug:

Offline 69merc

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Re: Reviving 4139R (74 TCS) after 40 years
« Reply #91 on: Sunday,August 21, 2022, 05:44:47 PM »
Just an FYI on the front alignment when I lowered the front end.  Before I lowered it, the camber was 0 degrees.  After I lowered it, the camber is now -1.5 degrees.  The toe is neutral ( maybe a smidge toe in).  Just some info if anyone wants to know how much camber gain can be expected from lowering the front end.

Offline BDA

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Re: Reviving 4139R (74 TCS) after 40 years
« Reply #92 on: Sunday,August 21, 2022, 06:28:47 PM »
Yeah, that's kind of a problem. The camber is supposed to be between 0 and +30'.

There are a couple of ways to fix that. Some have slotted the bottom A-arm holes and made sets of shims that fit neatly in the A-arm with holes that change the camber. Yeah, that sounds like a lot of work to me and fraught with the possibility for errors requiring you to do a lot of extra work! But then if you have the time and want the challenge...

On the other hand, you can buy adjustable upper A-arms. I have a set I got from Richard at Banks (now Lotus Supplies at https://www.lotus-supplies.com/parts/). If you go the route, make sure you get bushings with it. That will require you to take the upper suspension pivot pin out and all that entails. The upper ball joint screws in and out to adjust the camber. IIRC, Richard said a turn equates to 3/8° so you should be able to get a reasonable camber value that way. I don't know that Lotus Supplies is the only place to get such a thing so you might try some other places if the price is scary.

Offline jbcollier

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Re: Reviving 4139R (74 TCS) after 40 years
« Reply #93 on: Sunday,August 21, 2022, 07:25:54 PM »
Kelvedon carries them as well but I think they get them from Lotus Supplies.
« Last Edit: Monday,August 22, 2022, 07:10:39 PM by jbcollier »

Offline Bainford

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Re: Reviving 4139R (74 TCS) after 40 years
« Reply #94 on: Monday,August 22, 2022, 08:39:44 AM »
The Europa is looking good, and keeping good company. Cheers.
The Twin Cam plays the symphony whilst my right foot conducts the orchestra. At 3800 rpm the Mad Pipe Organ joins in.

Trevor

Offline 69merc

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Re: Reviving 4139R (74 TCS) after 40 years
« Reply #95 on: Monday,August 22, 2022, 10:04:56 AM »
It was interesting to see how Lotus kept some design ideas from the Europa on the front end of the Elise.

Offline Bryan Boyle

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Re: Reviving 4139R (74 TCS) after 40 years
« Reply #96 on: Monday,August 22, 2022, 10:21:54 AM »
Made a couple of YouTube videos for funsies  :beerchug:

https://youtu.be/NzRTArpaIs8

https://youtu.be/QulpTKVcoz8

nice work.

Suggestion: get a can of silicone spray and treat the door window channel felts...your window motors will thank you!  (It does make a difference, believe or not!)

Otherwise, good job.  Enjoy the ride!
Bryan Boyle
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Commercial Pilot/CFII/FAA Safety Team
Amateur Extra Class Operator & FCC Volunteer Examiner
Currently working on 3291R, ex 444R, 693R, 65/2163, 004R, 65/2678
http://www.lotuseuropa.us for mirror of lotus-europa.com manual site.

Offline 69merc

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Re: Reviving 4139R (74 TCS) after 40 years
« Reply #97 on: Friday,September 02, 2022, 12:42:20 PM »

Offline BDA

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Re: Reviving 4139R (74 TCS) after 40 years
« Reply #98 on: Friday,September 02, 2022, 02:32:42 PM »
Nice job!! I bet it's satisfying realizing you resurrected a neglected Europa and restoring it using most of its original pieces. She really came out very nicely! The wheels especially came out nicely!  :beerchug:

Offline 69merc

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Re: Reviving 4139R (74 TCS) after 40 years
« Reply #99 on: Friday,September 02, 2022, 03:16:39 PM »
It’s very satisfying to get it back on the road.  I feel lucky that I was able to use all the original parts.
That definitely kept the budget reasonable  :beerchug:

Offline jbcollier

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Re: Reviving 4139R (74 TCS) after 40 years
« Reply #100 on: Friday,September 02, 2022, 04:39:18 PM »
That and lots of your labour.  Job well done and it is still largely original !!

Offline 69merc

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Re: Reviving 4139R (74 TCS) after 40 years
« Reply #101 on: Friday,September 02, 2022, 05:05:09 PM »
Yeah, I often forget about the cost of my own labor.  It’s been enjoyable on this car.  I think I’m going to put the original air cleaner assembly back on just because the car is so original.

Offline TurboFource

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Re: Reviving 4139R (74 TCS) after 40 years
« Reply #102 on: Friday,September 02, 2022, 06:23:18 PM »
Enjoyed your videos! How do you like the car now that it is on the road?
The more I do the more I find I need to do....remember your ABC’s …anything but chinesium!

Offline 69merc

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Re: Reviving 4139R (74 TCS) after 40 years
« Reply #103 on: Friday,September 02, 2022, 07:13:07 PM »
I’m really enjoying it (I’ve only put 100 miles on it so far).  It’s soooo different than what I’m used to driving and working on (American v8 muscle cars).  I’m getting more comfortable with it’s small size and the attention it draws. 

Offline 69merc

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Re: Reviving 4139R (74 TCS) after 40 years
« Reply #104 on: Saturday,September 17, 2022, 03:44:08 PM »
Representing at the St. Louis British Car show today!  The more miles I’m putting on it the more I’m falling for this quirky little car  :beerchug: