Merry Christmas! Now how do I start a restoration?

"Enginerrrrrrrrr" (Enginerrrrrrrrr)
12/25/2014 at 15:20 • Filed to: None

Merry Christmas all!

Well it was an interesting day for me, my wife and her father are in England getting everything he's kept there for the last 20-somethin years. Turns out he's had a 1967 Lotus Elan sitting on blocks with a tarp over it all this time. Now he's working on bringing it back over here. He knows I would love to help him work on it, so I think that is helping his choice to bring it back.

I've never had a project car before and don't really know how to start. I figured we should probably just strip everything down, then start working on the mechanicals then finish with the electronics. Since it's a british car from the 60's, I'm pretty sure all of the electronics are toast anyways...

Basically where the hell do I start and does anyone know where I can find some sort of manual or general information in fixing an old Lotus?

Thanks! Pics I received below...no pics under the hood unfortunately.

DISCUSSION (26)

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > Enginerrrrrrrrr
12/25/2014 at 15:35

I think I speak for everyone on here when saying we would al love some updates when you do start restoring it.

Good luck! Can't wait to see what comes of this.

Apex Assassin > Enginerrrrrrrrr
12/25/2014 at 15:36

Google. There are lots of passion for these cars, so Lund has the guides/manuals and ofc there are forums for advice and support.

Good luck!

aberson Bresident of the FullyAssed Committe > Enginerrrrrrrrr
12/25/2014 at 15:37

First thing you should do is to replace all the fluids and then try to get the engine and drivetrain running to the point where you can autocross it vigoursly the car is drivable then the electrics and body can go hand-and-hand with eachother

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > Enginerrrrrrrrr
12/25/2014 at 15:39

1967 you say? That's the same year as a potential project car for me. Also British.

Ike > Enginerrrrrrrrr
12/25/2014 at 15:40

in the words of our lord and savior JC (Jeremy Clarkson)

Hit it with a hammer

Enginerrrrrrrrr > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
12/25/2014 at 15:41

I'll definitely be posting updates. Also so that people can show me what I'm doing wrong give me some tips to make sure I'm doing it right.

First thing is it has to get over here, not sure the timeline on that...

Enginerrrrrrrrr > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest.
12/25/2014 at 15:42

Nice! Mind if I ask what it is?

Enginerrrrrrrrr > Ike
12/25/2014 at 15:42

Multiple types of hammers will be in hand for sure haha.

Enginerrrrrrrrr > Apex Assassin
12/25/2014 at 15:45

Cool! I have found an online manual already, but I'm definitely going to need to find those advice columns just to see how to proceed with something this big.

Thanks for the tips! Going to check out Lund right now...

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > Enginerrrrrrrrr
12/25/2014 at 15:47

It's a Bristol 409. Right hand drive, 318 ci Chrysler V8, 3 speed auto, aluminium body. One of 74 made.

Texican > Enginerrrrrrrrr
12/25/2014 at 16:10

First order of business is to try and get it running. The fuel tank needs to be removed and cleaned, pump checked, filter replaced and carburetors rebuilt. Then you need spark. New plugs and battery at least, maybe coil, wires, etc. too. New fluids across the board, then let 'er rip. Report back and have fun!

P.S. Don't be too eager to strip it all down. See what you have before you take it apart.

Enginerrrrrrrrr > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest.
12/25/2014 at 16:34

Excellent. Sounds like a blast to work on. I don't think I've ever seen a Bristol in real life. I thought it was going to be tough to work on the Elan, but I'm pretty sure you will have a handful of a time only due to the rarity. Good luck if you go for it!

Enginerrrrrrrrr > Texican
12/25/2014 at 16:36

Sounds like an excellent plan. Pretty sure the fuel wasn't removed anyways so I was already planning on totally cleaning out the fuel system. This is goin to be a crazy learning experience, but I will keep everyone on here posted :D

Any reason why I should hold back on taking it all apart first? just to keep track of everything? Just curious so I can predict what I am getting myself into.

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > Enginerrrrrrrrr
12/25/2014 at 16:40

The guy who owned it contacted Bristol to see what they would charge for a restoration. They only wanted £50k. Most of the cost was shipping it to England. I'll have to wait till I'm done school to start restoration though.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Enginerrrrrrrrr
12/25/2014 at 16:53

awesome project. I would check out getting a shop manual for all the "So British" tidbits.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/185520…

Texican > Enginerrrrrrrrr
12/25/2014 at 18:48

Cars sometimes survive storage really well. I would at least try to get it running again, since it may be fine. Then you can dust it off, replace the belts, hoses and tires and have a cheap little driver. Hard to tell if you dismantle on day one. If the car is really and truly dead, blow it apart. Just try life support first.

As more general advice, at some point you'll have to take everything apart, but you can't do it all at once anyway. With something that age, sometimes things fall apart just from being disturbed. Break the resto down into small, accomplishable tasks and see each thing through. That way you get a slowly growing list of "known good" systems on the car.

Enginerrrrrrrrr > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
12/25/2014 at 19:01

I was just checking out that guy :D

Also some Elan restoration books since a manual might not have some of the special details I am looking for.

Enginerrrrrrrrr > Texican
12/25/2014 at 19:01

That's some great advice. Once it gets over here we'll see how it all goes! Thanks :)

Sn210 > Enginerrrrrrrrr
12/25/2014 at 19:55

very cool! Good luck with it. As others have said, fluids and getting it running would be the first thing, then I'd say make sure the brakes work. Cosmetic stuff you can do later or any time really. Seriously keep us posted on your progress!

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Enginerrrrrrrrr
12/26/2014 at 04:26

yeah it doesn't hurt to have a couple to cross check information. Some manuals assume most vitals are working fine, whereas some restoration guides just assume everything is rusted and broken. I lucked out on my project in that i had a mostly functional car to borrow some parts off to test whether it was the part that was not functioning or a symptom of something else.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Enginerrrrrrrrr
12/26/2014 at 04:45

Has it recently run? Depending how long it has been sitting I would recommend before starting to check to make sure the pistons can turn and aren't seized. This can be done a number of ways. One is by jacking up the car, putting it in gear, removing the spark plugs and turning the rear tires.

I would also second changing all fluids, as then can collect moisture and often separate reducing their effectiveness. Brake fluid is important as discolored dark fluid could be an indication for water in the system and possible rusty lines.

Enginerrrrrrrrr > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
12/26/2014 at 10:03

It's been at least 10 years I would guess since it has run, probably more. From what you and others have said, just getting it running sounds like the first order of business, which will definitely involve changing all of the fluids and checking the fuel system.

Thanks for the tips!

philipilihp > Enginerrrrrrrrr
12/27/2014 at 21:14

That looks amazing and I can't wait to see more pics!! Good luck. I'll take your story as experience for any future first project car I get! :D

Enginerrrrrrrrr > philipilihp
12/27/2014 at 23:27

Looks like this may get delayed as they are currently having issues getting the shipping set up across the pond...they come back wednesday so this might get pushed back to the summer :(

philipilihp > Enginerrrrrrrrr
12/28/2014 at 09:01

More time to prepare for you, I guess... But that's kind of annoying. But now you have time to research everything about the Elan that you can!

Enginerrrrrrrrr > philipilihp
12/28/2014 at 10:50

Yeah, to be fair they had no game plan for the car when they first flew over. A week and a half isn't much preparation time to figure out how to get everything done I suppose...