The cylinder head had on this Lotus 907 engine had been significantly over-skimmed by previous owner.
This causes the camshaft timing to become retarded and affects both inlet and exhaust valves (opening and closing late).
The best way to correct camshaft timing errors is by installing vernier timing pulleys.
Adjust the exhaust camshaft timing first
Next, adjust the inlet camshaft timing.
Starter ring gear with damaged teeth 
Starter ring gear with tapered lead-in on teethThe starter ring gear had been installed the wrong way round on the flywheel.
Consequently the ring gear teeth were damaged by the incorrect orientation and non-standard starter motor with poor mesh.
The correct orientation for the ring gear is with the tapered lead-in on the teeth to face towards to the front of the engine.
Flywheel with multiple fixing holes 
Flywheel fastenersAbove right photograph shows standard flywheel bolt (left) and new ARP bolt (right)
Trial fitment of flywheel 
Special twin diaphragm clutch The above photograph of the flywheel shows multiple fastener holes where a non-standard clutch has previously been installed.
Installing a Lotus Elan clutch in an Elite is not going to produce the clamp pressure required to handle the extra torques from a 907 engine.
A notice on the dashboard stated the engine rpm should be limited to reduce clutch slip, so as to overcome the incorrect clutch installation.
The newly installed clutch is a dual diaphragm type with revised pivot geometry to provide the correct clutch pedal effort.
Lotus Elite engine and gearbox assembly 
Lotus 5 speed gearboxGearbox and bell housing trial fitted to rear of Lotus 907 engine
This home grown cooling system modification was uncovered once the tape and paint were removed.
Reinstalling this part in the same condition has the potential fail and compromise the cooling system.
With a freshly rebuilt engine that is going to produce more power, the cooling system components need to be reliable.
With sub-standard welding and significant corrosion this part has no place on a Lotus Elite.
Lucas alternator rated at 35 amps 
70 amp rated alternatorAbove left photograph - Incorrectly fitted to this Lotus Elite 501 is a Lucas 17ACR alternator rated at 35 amps that is not going to be able deliver sufficient current required by this vehicle.
Above right photograph - New alternator installed rated at 70 amps which is sufficient to operate the vehicle plus additional radiator cooling fans.
A sub-standard modified wiring loom has to be resolved to make sure this Elite is not going to catch fire.
High quality AMSOIL oil filter installed to provided absolute filtration of the engine oil.
ABOVE-LEFT This non-standard butterfly lever has been added so an external throttle return spring can be easily attached.
This modification is a great way of twisting throttle spindles which results in non-synchronised butterfly closure (results in high erratic idle speed)
ABOVE-RIGHT Removing the non-standard spring lever returns the carburettor to the original design specification where the spring is installed next to the throttle cable.
Lucas 25D distributor 
New Lucas vacuum retard moduleThis distributor was removed from the engine when it was discovered the vacuum retard module was inoperable.
Contactless electronic ignition 
New fuel line, inlet manifold studs, carburettor rubber spring and flexible mount O-rings installed.
A freshly built engine needs good cooling 
Twin hi-flow cooling fans, total of 2200cfm
Custom alloy pulley for clutch cable 
Lotus Elite replacement clutch cableLarger diameter (70mm) aluminium alloy pulley with 15mm diameter needle bearing to replace small diameter plastic pulley.
Lotus Elite front brake caliper and large piston 
Lotus Elite front brake caliper and twin pistonsBoth front brake calipers were seized so they were carefully dismantled to be refurbished in-house
Compressed air failed to move pistons 
Badly corroded brake pistonsGrease gun filled with oil used to dislodge seized brake pistons
Brake calipers bead blasted and zinc plated 
Original brake hose, 38 years oldThe characteristic "basket weave" pattern on the outside brake hose casing indicates it should have been changed many years ago
Brake caliper rebuilt with stainless steel pistons 
Refurbished alloy wheels courtesy of Wheeltech Wheels Dandenong
Concealed alarm system under dash 
RFI filter behind dash
Heated rear screen relay 
Wheel centres
Lotus 907 engine - exhaust side 
Lotus 907 engine - inlet sideLotus 907 engine finally started and carburettors balance with four column manometer to idle at 750rpm
Rear suspension radius arm 
Rear suspension radius armBoth rear trailing arms severely bent by 30mm resulting in excessive toe-in and excessive camber.
Home made turn-buckleA home made turn-buckle is a clumsy attempt to solve chronic rear suspension geometry problems.
The correct solution to this problem is to fit new trailing arms and install shims to adjust the toe-in.
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