200$ Lotus Europa Photo dump

"cletus44 aka Clayton Seams" (cletus44)
05/25/2015 at 08:03 • Filed to: None

Here’s what I’ve bought. I’m naming her Twiggy after one of my favourite 60’s icons. I’ll also need to source a new engine as the current one is totally siezed and the cooling system has totally clogged with rust and deposits.

Anyone have an old Renault engine kicking around that I could use? And to the people telling me to V8 swap it. The problem is finding a transaxle that will take the power. I’d like to keep it under 100 hp so I can retain the Renault 4 speed unit.

DISCUSSION (50)

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/25/2015 at 08:08

Can you put an MR2 motor in it like an Elise? Oh I read more, I see.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/25/2015 at 08:09

That looks shockingly good for $200. Especially the interior. That car is also basically the opposite of your Chrysler in every way. Nice buy.

RWS Motorsport > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/25/2015 at 08:15

Have you tried getting in contact with Lotus or classic Lotus in Hethel in Norfolk. I would think they would be quite interested in what you are doing.

Also, good lucK. Mx5 1.6 is only 110/115 bhp isn’t it? Nice strong reliable engine?

Sweet Trav > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/25/2015 at 08:23

What about a Toyota 1.8l. There are millions buzzing around, or you could get a ford ZETEC. Both are lotus friendly engines

LongbowMkII > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/25/2015 at 08:23

Kinja'd!!!

CB Radio? nice

Berang > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/25/2015 at 08:26

Get in touch with the folks over at http://www.renaultclub.us/

I’ve found Renault collectors to be a nice bunch, I’m sure somebody out there has a working or restorable engine they’d part with. If not - that thing is crying for a 13b!

djmt1 > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/25/2015 at 08:29

Are you allowed to import engines and parts from vehicles less than 25 years old? Like for example buying a Clio 172, chopping it up for parts and then sending it over.

ToyDeathbot > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/25/2015 at 08:34

Why not put a 999cc motorcycle engine in it?

LongbowMkII > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/25/2015 at 08:37

I feel completely one upped. I have to take pictures and make a post next time I’m at my mom’s... I have a a couple spare renault engines and an extra transmission as well if those would be any use. I’ll have to look at the part numbers. 2 carbed, 1 efi.

my dream swap is a rotary, 12a or 13b depending on ease of packaging and adaptation. I’ll probably be scared off at the costs of adapting the motor to the transaxle haha.

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/25/2015 at 08:39

Kinja'd!!!

115 hp, Toyota reliability, and 8000 rpm?

Do it

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/25/2015 at 08:47

What about using a CBR1000RR motor? Or another liter bike motor

jkm7680 > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/25/2015 at 09:08

I can’t get over how good of a buy that was.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/25/2015 at 09:10

I would have called it Rot Bucket. In honour of it being a rot bucket.

Good luck with the restoration man, I’d personally aim for as stock as possible... maybe try and find a Lotus-Ford twincam for it? Though I think they’re a bit pricey.

BJ > LongbowMkII
05/25/2015 at 09:11

Is it a CB or an 8-track deck?

LongbowMkII > BJ
05/25/2015 at 09:12

could be, kind of forgot about those.

BJ > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/25/2015 at 09:16

Lots of suggestions for the little Toyota motors, this is probably a good idea. You could also look at the Ford Ecoboost motors, the 1.0L 3-cylinder or the 1.6L that Caterham uses in their Sevens (although that might be a bit much for the gearbox).

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > LongbowMkII
05/25/2015 at 09:18

One upped? What car do you have? I might be interested in relieving you of one of the carbd Renault engines. Where are you located?

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > BJ
05/25/2015 at 09:19

Eight track, baby

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Berang
05/25/2015 at 09:21

Great tip! I'll check them out. My friend actually has a 13B Europa so he knows that route fairly well

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
05/25/2015 at 09:22

It's a rot bucket for sure. A twin cam would be great but too pricey for me. I'd like to find a serviceable Renault engine to replace it

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > RWS Motorsport
05/25/2015 at 09:23

I haven't but that's a good idea. I'll tweet them. And as for miata engines, I'd like to go with something carbureted to reduce the wiring I'll have to do

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
05/25/2015 at 09:24

It looks good but it's rotten underneath. The front a arm is hanging loosely on the ground after the mount rusted away

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
05/25/2015 at 09:25

Bike motors are transverse. This is a longitudinal application. Lot would also be a ton of fab work and I'm crap at welding.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > jkm7680
05/25/2015 at 09:25

Me neither haha dude was going to scrap it before I contacted him

LongbowMkII > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/25/2015 at 09:26

I have a ‘71 Europa, originally orange flaky silver respray. My dad bought it 6-7 years ago, but he was unable to do much with it and I got caught up in my own life (free family to good home!). I’m making it a priority this summer. oh, and I live in central Kentucky. The motors are probably in just as much need of a rebuild and I honestly can’t see a feasible way to send a whole block. But if you need some smaller parts I can always see what I can spare.

Cé hé sin > ToyDeathbot
05/25/2015 at 09:27

No torque. Bike engines don’t suit cars unless you’re prepared to drive around at more than 6,000 rpm most of the time.

Bluecold > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/25/2015 at 09:36

alfa 116 gtv transaxle plus alfa twin cam? Those are light and plentiful since those are the only non-rusting parts of those gtvs and everybody is only interested in the gtv6.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/25/2015 at 09:43

I saw one a few days ago. Good luck on the build.

DasWauto > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/25/2015 at 09:46

I know one of the control arm mounts is gone but how bad is the rot on the rest of the chassis? Are you in the strange situation where the body is holding the chassis together? If so, you’ll have to strengthen in with the body in place. If not, do you have enough spaco separate the two? That would be the best for repairing the chassis.

aberson Bresident of the FullyAssed Committe > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/25/2015 at 09:48

nice one, I’m totally not jealous at all.

Dogapult > djmt1
05/25/2015 at 09:53

Engines and parts are fine under 25 years, for the most part.

ToyDeathbot > Cé hé sin
05/25/2015 at 09:59

The Europa’s fairly light (only a fraction heavier than the Mini, about the same as the Honda S600 and the Smart ForTwo) and I’m pretty sure most modern motorcycle engines have a torque output close to what the original engine would’ve put out.

The high RPM thing might be a problem depending on who you are though...

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/25/2015 at 11:05

Reading your other discussions, it looks like your engine requirements are: small, revvy, carbed, and longitudinal. There’s not many mills out there that meet those criteria. I think your best bet (if you can’t get a Renault unit) is to look for a junked British roadster with a good engine (hah!) such as an MG or Austin-Healey.

Anon > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/25/2015 at 11:21

Hey cletus, what state are you in? If I’m ever there I’d love to stop by and help out!

Grindintosecond > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/25/2015 at 11:43

Good luck with that. Go watch the overhaulin’ episode where they redid a Europa. The body required a dedicated boat repair guy to spend huge time with it filling all the fiberglass cracks and holes. You’r seat belts are attached to that body so it made sense for safety. My uncle has a 74. I can’t fit in it because I wear a 46-long suit jacket and the car is basically a 42 regular. His record of reliability was also 3 days in a row driving to work before it broke again.

On youtube there’s a video of a guy driving around in a 2 liter Zeted Focus powered Europa. That’s about 130hp. That’s stellar enough power and super reliable. I’ve been wondering about a Mazda KL-DE v6 but the width is the issue in those cars, so an inline something or other would be wonderful. Perhaps a 1.6 fiesta engine? or a 2.0 Duratec?

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/25/2015 at 12:45

Nice buy!

You might try loading the cylinders up with a good penetrating oil for a few days to try freeing it up, might still be rebuildable.

RWS Motorsport > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/25/2015 at 14:34

Ah very reasonable. Ive heard very good things about the 1500cc MG Midget engine and gearbox, if originality isn’t such a big issue for you. Not sure how it would drop into an Europa, but I know a lot of people convert Morris Minor and the like to those powertrains.

FWIW those Europas go for serious money in good condition here in the UK. I think you got yourself a steal there

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > LongbowMkII
05/25/2015 at 16:15

Oh cool! Do you have pics of the ‘71? I’ll keep you posted if I need any smaller parts

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > DasWauto
05/25/2015 at 16:18

I honestly don’t know. I’ll be buying blind here because it was sunk into the gravel far enough that I couldn’t see the frame. But for $200, I’ll risk it.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
05/25/2015 at 16:20

I hope that works. I’ll do that with penetrating oil or diesel. Do you have any ideas on how I can clean out the coolant passages?

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Anon
05/25/2015 at 16:20

I’m in Toronto. Is that too far?

LongbowMkII > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/25/2015 at 16:24

I don’t have any off hand. Maybe on a memory card somewhere.

Stephen the Canuck > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/25/2015 at 16:25

Let me know if you need a hand to help turn a wrench.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Stephen the Canuck
05/25/2015 at 16:27

Will do! We’ll need all hands on deck when it comes time to lift off the body

Stephen the Canuck > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/25/2015 at 16:31

It’s a Lotus, shouldn’t it need only a small child to lift it?

DasWauto > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/25/2015 at 17:07

Fair enough. You can get that back out of it in parts I’m sure so it’s minimal risk. If I were closer I’d offer up my services to trailer it to where you want it but I doubt I’ll talk my parents into borrowing their truck to move a car an hour and a half away. If/when you get working on it I’d love to assist though. I enjoy fabricating stuff and an old/simple chassis like that Lotus should be a good project.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > DasWauto
05/25/2015 at 17:57

I really appreciate the offer! I'll let you know when I get it back to my home.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/25/2015 at 23:09

Maybe a high volume of very hot high pressure water? A machine shop would probably have something that would do the job pretty well. I would worry about getting it unstuck first. A mixture of ATF and acetone might work really well also. And you will probably have to work at the crank back and forth a few times a day.

Old-Busted-Hotness > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/26/2015 at 07:35

Kinja'd!!!

Ouch. No bueno.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Old-Busted-Hotness
05/26/2015 at 09:05

Nothing that can’t be fixed with blind enthusiasm and a hammer