• The Roadster Factory Recovery Fund - Friends, as you may have heard, The Roadster Factory, a respected British Car Parts business in PA, suffered a total loss in a fire on Christmas Day. Read about it, discuss or ask questions >> HERE. The Triumph Register of America is sponsoring a fund raiser to help TRF get back on their feet. If you can help, vist >> their GoFundMe page.
  • Hey there Guest!
    If you enjoy BCF and find our forum a useful resource, if you appreciate not having ads pop up all over the place and you want to ensure we can stay online - Please consider supporting with an "optional" low-cost annual subscription.
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this UGLY banner)
Tips
Tips

1980 Lotus Espirit

StevenH

Freshman Member
Offline
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
 

Roger

Luke Skywalker
Bronze
Country flag
Offline
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.
 

DrEntropy

Great Pumpkin
Platinum
Country flag
Offline
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).
 

smcmanus

Jedi Hopeful
Offline
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
 

DrEntropy

Great Pumpkin
Platinum
Country flag
Offline
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.
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
C Wanted Wanted: 1977 to 1980 MGB Dashboard MG Classifieds 0
EvansClassicCars For Sale 1980 MGB for sale MG Classifieds 0
J MGB Tire pressure for 1980 MGB MG 14
JohnGone MGB 1980 MGB Spark Plug recommendations MG 6
JohnGone MGB Help getting my 1980 MGB to pass CA smog test MG 19
S For Sale 1980 TR8 Group 44 Tribute Triumph Classifieds 0
A MGB 1980 MGB MG 3
D Spitfire 1980 California Spitfire, Help Figuring What To Do With It? Triumph 15
P MGB 1980 MGB carb and oil questions MG 3
Russ80MGB MGB 1980 MGB - No power MG 16
P MGB 1980 MGB Modified Intake Manifold MG 7
1 For Sale 1980 Yellow MG MGB MG Classifieds 2
AngliaGT I Need to Resist - 1980 Ford Fiesta Other Cars 9
H MGB 1980 mgb no power from ignition switch MG 23
C MGB 1980 MGB Roadster Tyres UK MG 0
FlyingCat Wanted 1980 Spitfire Rear Bumper Triumph Classifieds 2
BobHaskell MGB 1980 MGB harness question - brake servo/master cylinder MG 1
BobHaskell MGB 1980 Catalyst sticker MG 0
A Spitfire Need help with 1980 Spitfire 1500 Triumph 5
M For Sale 1980 MGB for Sale MG Classifieds 2
Got_All_4 Wedge 1980 TR7 FI linkage Problem Triumph 2
M MGB New member trying to help a friend with his 1980 MGB LE. MG 4
D Spitfire 1980 spit.. 34000 miles unbelievable Triumph 5
N For Sale 1971 to 1980 Triumph Spitfire Bonnet Triumph Classifieds 0
RickB MGB 1980 MGB No rear brakes after replacing MC & booster MG 5
J For Sale 1980 MGB - frame off restoration 1,700 kms ago MG Classifieds 0
S MGB 1980 MGB quick question MG 2
RickB MGB 1980 Starter Relay & running problems MG 14
K 1980 Jaguar paint colour.... Quartz Blue? Jaguar 2
RickB MGB Bought 1980 MGB and got it home - head gasket? MG 15
RickB 1980 MGB on test drive suddenly loses electrics and dies - what to look at? Spridgets 46
Got_All_4 Wedge 1980 TR7 PI cutting out Triumph 4
U Spitfire Lighting issues on 1980 Spitfire Triumph 2
C MGB Fairly complete 1980 MGB with O/D in Stanton, CA Pick your part MG 3
N "Ole 19" Freddy Baker 1980 win article?? Jaguar 1
1 1980 Panther Lima restoration project Other British Cars 11
ecurie_ecosse MGB 1980 MGB Running fast. MG 4
J Wedge Rear Brake Drum 1980 TR 7 Triumph 5
AngliaGT .1980 Honda Accord Spotted 4
S Wedge 1980 TR8 BULB Triumph 3
L Advice for cleaning/painting 1980 rubber bumpers MG 8
Got_All_4 Wedge 1980 TR7 Fuel injection questions Triumph 17
AngliaGT 1980 Bonneville T140 British Motorbikes 9
A Wedge 1980 TR7 Brake master Question Triumph 5
kyreb1862 MGB 1980 MGB Timing Issue MG 5
Got_All_4 Wedge Drove a 1980 TR7 today PICs Triumph 16
W Spitfire 1980 Spitfire Coil Spring Replacement Triumph 2
Got_All_4 Wedge Going to look at a 1980 TR7 on Thursday Triumph 43
Tinkerman MGB 1980 MGB wiring diagram help MG 6
W Spitfire ZS carb on 1980 Spitfire Triumph 11

Similar threads

Top