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Whatzit?

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coldplugs

coldplugs

Darth Vader
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I attend an old engine & tractor show now and then and invariably someone has several old "mystery" tools set out hoping to find someone who knows what they're for.

Here's one of mine that performs a specific function on a particular English car. The string is about 6 inches long. Anybody know what it's for?

whatsit.jpg
 
cruise control for a 56 Berkley? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
cruise control for a 56 Berkley?

[/ QUOTE ]

Ha Ha.

Ok - it's dual purpose. With a longer string it might just work as a cruise control. I'll check.

(The primary use has nothing to do with Berkeleys.)
 
Re: Whatzit? [Updated]

Its a Motor Helmet String.---Keoke----- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif

---DK Speak: Motor Helmet = Bonnet
-------------------String = Bonnet hold down strap.
 
Re: Whatzit? [Updated]

I'll hazard a guess that it's used to help tune the carbs ...
 
Re: Whatzit? [Updated]

It's a substitute for the tool that you needed to have, costs a fortune, but you made.

So that if your wife ever gets to see the real costs of what you spend, 'but honey I saved a fortune making this tool'.

Patrick
 
Re: Whatzit? [Updated]

[ QUOTE ]
It's a substitute for the tool that you needed to have, costs a fortune, but you made....

[/ QUOTE ]

I wish. When I make substitute tools they always cost more than just buying them.

(Re previous posts - Good guess on the carbs, but no. And I don't think I know what a "Motor Helmet" is.)
 
[ QUOTE ]
...I don't know if the string's six inches long or its a four foot rope...

[/ QUOTE ]

It's about a six inch string. The end pieces are wood, but just about anything would work.

I know it's a tough one. It's only needed for one make/model car that I know of although some others could use a similar tool for a similar purpose.
 
Something used for cam timing on a twink? For the life of me, I can't remember where I've seen something similar before, but I have.
Jeff
 
Jeff, some early Bugeyes could have used one end of it - they wouldn't have needed both. (That was the first car I thought of that also needed something like this.)

It was made for a Lotus Elan and usually carried in the glovebox.

Nothing to do with cam timing, though.
 
I *KNOW*...

Relates to "coachwork"... And "gymnastics" if it's left onna workbench instead of the glovebox...

I spared NO expense and opted fer th' DEE-Luxe Model:

264633-set-1.jpg


/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif
 
ju got some 'splainin' to do ... what is it? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif
 
I haven't been here inna "ToolS" room for a while... Missed the "contest".

Gotta admit I get a kick out of this kinda stuff. The set fer the +2 are more "quaint": the old-style clothes-pegs with the "legs" sawn off. A bit more friendly to the surrounding finish without those wire springs... gotta be genteel when applying those to the job.


...that oughta "muddy th' water" some... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif
 
Is it animal, vegetable or mineral?

I've already ruled out panty hose drying device...

He's told me I've seen this tool in use and I'm trying to recall ATM...

EDIT: Played the "HOT -Cold" game and came real close to an answer. It's an intuitive THING...But now I know. As a passenger it was superflous to requirement. ( and Horsemits doesn't cheat, BTW)
 
While she has been aboard it was indeed un-necessary...

Tough woman... Ukranian.

Don't mess with th' Ukies.
 
[ QUOTE ]
ju got some 'splainin' to do ... what is it?

[/ QUOTE ]

A little background...

Lotus Elans (the real ones) have a hood/bonnet that opens at the rear and is "hinged" about a foot behind the front edge. There's a spring, like a screen door spring, that theoretically pulls down on the front of the bonnet hard enough to lift the rear free when the bonnet release is pulled. There's a bonnet latch at each rear corner.

But - the springs on many (most?) Elans aren't strong enough to lift the rear of the bonnet, so you have to push down on the front with your hand and then grab the rear when it rises enough.

The means you need to simultaneously pull the "Bonnet Release" tee handles, push down on the front of the bonnet, and lift the rear.

To make things even more complicated, note the plural - bonnet release handles. Until the Series 4 Elans, there were two, each operating one rear latch.

The tools shown are used to hold the release handles out allowing the owner to get out and open the bonnet.

(I didn't show the special "Elan broomstick" tool. This is what the owner carries in the trunk to hold the bonnet open.)

This applies to the baby Elans - based on Doc's comments it applies to the +2's as well(?)

Note - Doc's version has the advantage of being able to help dry panty hose as alluded to earlier. Mine has the advantage of not being able to do this.

[A tool like this can also be used on some early Bugeyes to keep the choke knob held out instead of vibrating shut.]
 
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