Out of Hibernation.
The first thing I always tackle is to make sure the car moves under it’s own power because I'm far too old to be pushing them around these days. So the first job was to clear away the debris, check the block wasn’t cracked & fit another core plug, an easy one to start with.
Moving on to the radiator & apart from the obvious bulge where the otter switch had been the steel frame at the lower section was very rusty. And it’s easier to check for leaks on the bench than in the car so out it came. Another good result, cleaned up & water tested, new steel soldered in place and with a touch of black paint it looks fine enough for another 20-odd years.
Radiator Repaired
Connect up the hoses, fill with fresh anti-freeze and that’s the plumbing sorted for now.
Next in line is the petrol. HTU had moved around in the intervening years but it’s old petrol and it’s bound to have left little gooey bits all around my nice Dellorto carburettors.
Dellorto overhaul needed
It’s easier to pull them off, strip them down to make sure all the filters and jets are clear and the settings are correct than it is to struggle with trying to clean them with some magic potion in the petrol.
And whilst the carburettors are out of the way we might as well make sure the petrol pump is clear as well, we don’t want dirty old petrol getting shoved into our nice clean float chambers, do we ?
Finally it’s the electrics. No way will the points be in a position to fire this engine up after so long in storage so we might as well accept it and change them whilst the carburettors are off.
Phew. Almost ready for action.
The old battery is junk so with a new battery fitted and, and.... and.... It’s started up ? Huh ?
This is a Lotus, it’s supposed to struggle and sulk, pour petrol and oil all over the floor and run down at least three batteries before offering a token “phutt” as major progress ?
Then it should barely fire on 3 cylinders and only go to all four after you’ve recharged the battery for the fourth time and spent at least a day on your knees.
Starting ? First time ? Oh, I just don’t understand it.
The car never used to be like this...... something must be broken.