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#532604 - 12/27/08 03:45 PM 1980 Lotus Espirit
StevenH Offline
Freshman Member

Registered: 07/26/08
Posts: 10
Loc: MA
Found a 1980 Lotus Espirit that has been sitting in a garage for a number of year. From the pictures, interior is complete and exterior, while having faded paint, looks good.
Has not been started in years. Are there any problems specific to this model and or year that I should look for or at when viewing the car in person? thanks,
Steven

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#532697 - 12/27/08 10:40 PM Re: 1980 Lotus Espirit [Re: StevenH]
Roger Offline
Jedi Knight

Registered: 05/20/02
Posts: 809
Loc: Richmond,Texas
There's a pretty good website that will tell you a lot about them - I really can't add to the experience to be found there.
_________________________
Roger
Ancient Briton
'72 Lotus Europa
'05 Lotus Elise

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#532758 - 12/28/08 09:10 AM Re: 1980 Lotus Espirit [Re: Roger]
DrEntropy Offline
Great Pumpkin

Registered: 09/15/05
Posts: 24161
Loc: Elsinore, DK
Do NOT try to chime it up or even TURN it over until you've replaced the cam belt, ~please~!!

A belt left that long in the same position is a catastrophe in waiting. You'll reduce the machine to a lump. Mebbe not on the first go, but it is inevitable within a few hours' time.

Use Tony Barnhill's guide to "awakening a Sleeping B" article for general help on a good proceedure to check it over before trying to light it off, too (after the belt gets R&R'd).
_________________________
'64 MGB
'67 Lotus Elan S-3 DHC
'69 Lotus Elan +2
'78 Alfa Romeo Spider-current Daily: O=\*/=O
'84 300D Turbo:"Diesela"-SWMBO's Daily: OO|#|OO
'66 Alfa Romeo GT - Upscale Yard Art: Oo=\*/=oO
Hey! I LOVE my wife... She lets me drive her MG!

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#536943 - 01/09/09 04:22 PM Re: 1980 Lotus Espirit [Re: DrEntropy]
smcmanus Offline
Jedi Hopeful

Registered: 02/20/06
Posts: 164
Loc: KY
Dr E is correct. May I also suggest that you install the cam belt with the timing 90 degrees off TDC so taht the pistons are at half mast. The cams are spring loaded to disaster at TDC and if a cam turns, it will ruin you engine.

If you need help with this feel free to ask.

Have a nice day
Steve

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#537069 - 01/09/09 11:01 PM Re: 1980 Lotus Espirit [Re: smcmanus]
DrEntropy Offline
Great Pumpkin

Registered: 09/15/05
Posts: 24161
Loc: Elsinore, DK
Meeheee!! ~SPRONG!~


Head off otherwise. Put th' block at "half-mast" as Steve suggests. That way the valves won't whack pistons.


Get a 90? manual to give you some guidance.
_________________________
'64 MGB
'67 Lotus Elan S-3 DHC
'69 Lotus Elan +2
'78 Alfa Romeo Spider-current Daily: O=\*/=O
'84 300D Turbo:"Diesela"-SWMBO's Daily: OO|#|OO
'66 Alfa Romeo GT - Upscale Yard Art: Oo=\*/=oO
Hey! I LOVE my wife... She lets me drive her MG!

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