This page shows the progress
and work done on the Lotus Europa in the year 2006:
Dec 31st, 2006
Happy New Year!
Last day of the
year saw neighbour Morten and me fit the drivers door to the Europa.
Via some (a lot) of adjusting, we made the door fit relative well, but it
could sure benefit from more adjustment.
Had to enlargen the hole for the loudspeaker in order to get to the nuts.
Also had to create a couple of special tools for the job.
Pictures from the last day of December 2006 to be
found here (410 Kb)
Happy New Year!!!
Dec 30st, 2006
Finally, when the years is about to disappear, took a day and fitted
the petrol tank, right hand side door, and tried to fit the pedal-assembly.
First I had to jack up the car, in order to get underneath it, to slide
the petroltank in. As the car has been lowered, it sure was not easy to get
the jack under it. I think I spent some 2-3 hours just to get the car high
enough!
Finally it was possible to make the petrol tank its way into the body,
and fasten it with the required 4 screws. Hopefully this is enough when
the tank is filled and the car is on its way.
Then I tried to fit the pedal assembly.
But; as the old holes for the four fastening bolts had been filled, I
had no template showing where to drill the new holes. I made four holes,
but didn't have long enought bolts to fit the pedal assembly. So, it's off
for a mechanical shop next week to buy an assortement of bolts.
The doors were painted last summer, and has been put on hold since then...
I decided that the right hand side door could be fitted now, as I am
finished working on the passengers side of the coupe. Having bought new
nuts and bolts for the assembly process, I thought this would be a stright
foreward process.
And correctly; fitting the door went wery well, but the adjusting...
Now I understand all the reading of painful works, special equipment,
and pationful workers...
I had to anglegrind a spanner thin enough to fit between the door and
the body, in order to hold the nut, while I also had one spanner on the inside
of the door, to tighten the nut there. But I didn't succide, as I had absolutely
no grip on the inside nut. The room for both the spanner and my hand inside
the door is far too narrow...
Guess I'll have to make another special tool to get access to the inside
nuts... Pictures from today can
be seen here.
Now it's time to wish you all a very happy new year - and keep up the
Europa-driving or -working. I know I will ;-)
July/August 2006
Finished painting the doors, fitted door handle and locker. (new door
hinges are on the way)
Fitted new radiator hoses in front compartment. Fitted most of the
carpets and inserted the seats.
Fitted the door seals, though the result may have been better if a
pro had done the job..
Tried to fit the brake hoses to new brake master, but the banjo bolts
from the old master cylinder was too big for the new one. Guess I'll have
to call Banks, then ;-(
Strange they didn't deliver the correct banjo bolts and new banjo units
with the new brake master.
Holden parts said they could supply me with an oil pressure sender
unit and a correct adapter, but I haven't heard from then in more than
a month, now...
The beginning of August also saw the establishing of 'Norwegian Lotus Register'(Norwegian
text only, but links to picture pages), with 20 Lotuses and Caterhams in
my garden. So, now there are a Lotus Register in Norway too. There are
lots of Elises and Caterhams in Norway. The local newspaper where present
and took a lot of pictures, and made an interwiev with me
July 9th, 2006
Having the kids and family away on their holiday certainly helps.
I have spent most of the week and weekend in the garage, working on four
different cars...
Today I finally decided to do the paint job on the Europa's doors,
but it surly turned out I am not a skilled painter.. Take a look at the dreadful result...
July 8th, 2006
Nearly a month has gone, during which time I have done a lot of work
on the Elan +2S and the Porsche.
But; as the time for testing the Europa's engine is getting closer,
I desperately need to get hold on the oil pressure sender unit. After having
dialogue with several person on the Lotus Europa Yahoo Group mailing list,
I was down to two possibilities. As both possible senders were sized in
inches, and I only recognize metric sizes, I had to test - and see if another
unit would fit into the oil pressure sender units hole.
Some pictures, and lot of question from today, can be found here
June 18th, 2006
Instead of celebrating Sir Paul McCartney's and my father in
law's 64th birthday, I spent the entire day in the garage.
Finally the rear window is in place, with all the seals well done.
I also fitted a new master brake pump, painted the underside of
the bonnet, and also fitted a new grill.
Buying the Lotus Elan made me realize how fun even a Lotus with
roof can be, so I got the spirit back, and intend to finish the Europa
as soon as time and money permits ;-)
Next step is to order new door seals, paint the underside of the
engine cover, fix the cooling hoses and finish the electricity.
Then; time to test start the car ;-)
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