New to group with a Lotus 61

[Johnfiat]

[size=3]I am looking for advice on working on a Lotus 61. A friend of mine gave me the car to use. It has in storage for the past 8 years. I have been told form another site that even though the car was put away correctly that it would be a good idea to check the motor before starting it. I was told to pull the head before starting it to see if there is any rust on the cylinder walls and that every thing turns freely. I will be going over the whole car before I race it. Any other suggestion of thing to do?[/size]


[size=3]John Whitney[/size]

[size=3]Fiat X 1/9[/size]

[size=3]&[/size]

[size=3]Lotus 61[/size]

[RussMcB]

Hi, John. Welcome. Do you know of any more race cars that they are giving away? :-)

Here are a couple of thoughts (worth what you paid for them).

Fuel cell foam may have dried out and could clog fuel filters.

Brake and clutch hydraulic systems may need attention. They often get "cruddy" after sitting for long periods. You may want to just replace the master cylinders because they aren't expensive (and they are easy to change, unlike your X1/9's! :-).

You could remove spark plugs, blow out cylinders with air, squirt in some lubricant, replace plugs and let it sit for a few days before slowly turning the engine over by hand, with plugs out again. Probably good to look under the cam cover before turing the engine over.

Valve springs may be suspect if the engine was not rotated during a long period of time.
Old race gas may be a concern, in the cell and in the carb.
If you try to drive it on the old tires, plan on spinning out often.

Good luck!

[formulasuper]

Brake and clutch hydraulic systems may need attention. They often get "cruddy" after sitting for long periods. You may want to just replace the master cylinders because they aren't expensive (and they are easy to change, unlike your X1/9's! :-).

If you try to drive it on the old tires, plan on spinning out often.
Good luck!

John, Russ gives very good advise on all parts, & he & I both know about the X1/9 master cylinders! As far as many year old tires, I can tell you they get pretty hard! I tested some that were in storage for 17 yrs on my SuperVee when I bought it. Like driving on ice! You should know what that's like, being from the great white north.

[Rick Kirchner]

Pull the top of of the carb and make sure the inlet valve still works so you don't fill up the motor with gas if the valve sticks.

I just went through two 40IDFs this weekend because of that problem

[Johnfiat]

Racer Russ

It's great to hear form you on this site too. Just for the record the production X is done, so now I have some time to play with the FF.

Would you pull the head before you put some lubricant and turn it slowly? I would realy like to wait to take the head off if I can. When the car was put away the plug were pull and it was turned over with oil in the cylindars, so I'm hoping that everything is OK. The fuel tank and carb were draned as well. Any more insight would be great. The car is moving to the warm gragage and put on stand tomarrow , when my college student sons comes home. The engineering major son is great help.

John Whitney
Wis X 1/9
&
Lotus 61

[RussMcB]

I probably should refrain from giving detailed advice since I don't know much about the 2 liter engines. Hopefully, someone with more knowledge can give you good advice.

If it were me, I'd cross my fingers and give it a go, but don't send me any repair bills.

[bob darcey]

If it were mine, I'd drain and flush the brake and clutch hydralics and the cooling system, and replace the engine and gearbox lubes. There aren't too many Hewland Mk gearboxes that can hold their lube for eight years, so there might not be much left! The deal about the valve springs is true, and you might avoid turning the motor past 6K until you can check them out (weak springs allow the exhaust valve to contact the piston). Also, you should replace any elastomer fuel lines, check the coolant hoses, and start looking for a new harness/lap belt system (most vintage clubs require replacement every five years, SCCA every two IIRC). Don't forget to crank the engine with the plugs removed to establish oil pressure prior to firing it up. Good luck.

[DanW]

Before you crank the starter, make sure there is oil in the dry sump tank. After all, it is a Lotus ;o)

Consider replacing the old Lucas starter with one of the new reduction gear starters if the local vintage rules allow. The Kent vibrator tends to buzz the pinion back into the ring gear at speed.... We used to keep a couple extra starter pinions and a handful of snap rings in the toolbox just for the occasion.


Welcome!

Dan Wise