QUESTION
I am restoring a Lotus Elan and have just fitted the motor only to discover the bonnet is now contacting the cam cover
I recently purchased new engine mounts from Lotus Marques and I am wondering if new mounts might contribute to this problem
Any thoughts or ideas would be most appreciated.
J.R. - Queensland
ANSWER
Unfortunately you do not mention what cylinder head, carburettor or cylinder block combination you have on your Lotus twin cam engine
It is important to select the correct engine mounts for any given combination and more information maybe found here.....
https://lotusmarques.com/info/technical/32-lotus-elan/770-lotus-elan-engine-mount-installation
Other factors that influence bonnet clearance are as follows-
1) Accident damaged Elan where the front nose section had not been repaired correctly or accurately
2) Bonnet reinforced with excessively thick layer of fibreglass matting
3) Sub standard chassis repairs around cracked/broken engine mounting points
4) The 11mm spacers located between the gearbox mount and cross-member might be missing
Note - From experience it is possible to fit spacers of 17mm or 19mm thick
This moves the gearbox upwards and the front of the engine (and cam cover) downwards improving bonnet clearance
Copyright © 2025 Lotus Marques
I am restoring a Lotus Elan and have just fitted the motor only to discover the bonnet is now contacting the cam cover
I recently purchased new engine mounts from Lotus Marques and I am wondering if new mounts might contribute to this problem
Any thoughts or ideas would be most appreciated.
J.R. - Queensland
ANSWER
Unfortunately you do not mention what cylinder head, carburettor or cylinder block combination you have on your Lotus twin cam engine
It is important to select the correct engine mounts for any given combination and more information maybe found here.....
https://lotusmarques.com/info/technical/32-lotus-elan/770-lotus-elan-engine-mount-installation
Other factors that influence bonnet clearance are as follows-
1) Accident damaged Elan where the front nose section had not been repaired correctly or accurately
2) Bonnet reinforced with excessively thick layer of fibreglass matting
3) Sub standard chassis repairs around cracked/broken engine mounting points
4) The 11mm spacers located between the gearbox mount and cross-member might be missing
Note - From experience it is possible to fit spacers of 17mm or 19mm thick
This moves the gearbox upwards and the front of the engine (and cam cover) downwards improving bonnet clearance
Copyright © 2025 Lotus Marques