1987 Lotus Excel SE

[Gompo]

9 hours ago, Oi_Oi_Savaloy said:

Brief update - my wife is poorly again.  We're back and forth to the hospital.  All work on the Excel is on hold.  Life for me is changing a bit - got to press on this now (in the next 6 weeks) or so or .........it'll never get done.  

Starting work this sunday.  Got a plan.........got some money together.......it's time.  With the wife out of action its down to me to sort the kids/life/meals etc etc.  Plus I'm working two jobs at the moment (one of which involves fair amount of travel.)

 

Keep your head everyone - you never know what's around the corner.  Hopefully this episode is temporary (and the nhs have been brilliant i hasten to add).........just need the results of some tests back.

Sorry to hear that. Best of luck with it all, the Excel can wait.

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

And so life changes again - they've found lesions on her liver and that means .......well, we don't quite know yet; more tests and visits to the oncologist.  Chemo? Radiotherapy?  tablets?  who knows but work on the lotus is going to have to be set aside.  Wife and family too important (obviously).  I'll read up on what's happening on here in the meantime and if I do get a chance to work on the lotus, I will update this thread too.

[Sunny Jim]

All the best to you and your wife and family. This can be a good place to vent or ask for support as well as talk about shite old cars should you want to do so.

[grogee]

+1. Best wishes to all the Saveloys and I hope medical attention can beat the big C. 

The Excel can wait, it's not so important in the scheme of things. 

[2flags]

You take care. Nothing is more important that your family. The car can wait. Our best wishes to your wife for a speedy recovery. 

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

I realise that family is everything but I need some space at times and rather than just sit around thinking (i do far too much of that anyway) with 15 mins spare on Saturday in between other stuff going on thought I'd try and push the Lotus forward a little bit.  It's almost like I've realised - with the terrible things my wife is going through - that life needs to be seized now.  really seized.  So I've ordered some things  from Lotusbits and taken the wheels off (not doing the spare as it's in good order) ready to change the tyres and refurb the alloys (going to get a local company to do it - wont have the time to do it myself).

I need to order a cambelt and that'll mean I can button the engine up (there are peripherals that hang in front of the cambelt so whilst it's all dismantled it's 'easy' to change.

I've got new/old rear suspension arriving and a steel gutter/strengthening piece that will replace the rusted out one on the car (it's used to help brace the rear seatbelt anchors).  (It looks like an old fashioned gutter so I've called it that).

In separate news we're seeing the oncologist this weds coming and there will be a series of tests thereafter.  Praying it's not spread (it's bad enough it's in the liver).  Wife bereft when on her own/  Kids don't know yet simply because we don't know how bad it is (but it's bad having heard what the hospital said last week and the speed with which we're seeing the oncologist).

 

The tyres date from 2008 and are cracked and 3 of the 4 don't hold air..........plenty of tread mind!  The spare has the original Goodyear on it - and really like the idea of having goodyears again ...........but I can't find any in a 205 50 15 or 225 45 15 (or definitely not the OE size - 215 50 15 - eye wateringly expensive).  

I keep prevaricating about tyres.  I actually want the OE size and I keep my eye out in hope I'll find something doesn't cost £250 a tyre.  I can't justify that.  Longstone do some pirellis that look sexual if I'm honest...........but price..............There are some track day tyres in that size now and again but everytime I think I've found some they've either gone or on back order..........Trackday tyres give me a bit of a concern ........ I worry about wet weather grip - the intention isn't to run the car in the wet............. but there's a lot of rain in Pembrokeshire - even when it looks sunny..........it's bound to rain at some point and although I'm a driving god (aren't we all) I'll have the family with me at times and well, frankly, I worry about that.  Not that I'm Nigel Manselling it everywhere but you get my point.  

The tyres you see above are 225 50 15.........which are a bit too big (if you look at the tyre size comparison thing); https://tiresize.com/comparison/ technically and look too big visually imo perhaps?  Or am I just being picky?........  195 55 15 gets very close (but is much thinner - wont look right imo............but Goodyears are an option in that size..............argghhhhhhh!) 

I'm probably going to have to go with 205 50 15's - the toyos on the alloys at the moment look just a tad too wide but perhaps things have changed in tyre design (or toyo's design?) in the intervening years or other people think 'yeah, they work fine, don't worry'.  Thoughts everyone (I know we went through this a year ago or more........but)?

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 16, 2024 by Oi_Oi_Savaloy
spelling...........punctuation...........the usual.

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

Parts are starting to arrive - rear suspension (stock replacements - not worried about trick stuff yet.   Just get it back to OE) and a bit of metal that's used to brace the rear seat belt on the driver's side (current one is stuffed).  

Just researching cambelts - there are various alternatives out there (including the ability to choose the belt from a 405 Mi16...........an absolutely brilliant car that should have had 200bhp rather than 160bhp it came with ..........and it would have been a definite cosworth rival.......actually, thinking about it it might have needed 215-230bhp or more - but back in the day 200bhp was a proper number for a road car and politically I don't think it would been welcomed - bearing in mind all those cars being nicked all the time and films of them being ragged on tv news every night - but I digress - to be truly competitive out of the factory, but the chassis was clearly on a par with anything ford was producing at the time).........it just lacked power.

So that cambelt, for that reason, appeals.  Also much cheaper than the Lotus OE belt too.

But we'll see.

Parts;  rear suspension - the suspension (£50 a side) looks really good - like a refurbed item or new than the 2nd hand item(s) I was expecting.  I've been looking at protech stuff (tvr and caterhams swear by them or Gaz) but at £600-700 all in it was just beyond things right now. So I kept it simple and went for these.  Pretty pleased to be honest.

And the rear seat belt bracing/strengthening piece;

Looks well made this.  Going to coat it in something before it goes on the car (it's exposed underneath).

 

I've had to add brakes to the list too - I'll get in to the calipers and see what's what but on initial inspection - I think they're too far gone (the discs I mean).  Pads look fine..........but will wait to see what the handbrake shoes look like.  

 

[Gompo]

The later wheels but the same size, top image is 205/50, bottom image is one of the original 215/50 Eagle F1s. An obvious difference unfortunately! I do need to change the rear 215s; I'm tempted with the Landsail trackday tyres but not sure I can cope with having anything Landsail, particularly on my 'special' car! I'm happy with 205s on the front creating a slightly staggered look.

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

And that's it on one Gompo.  It's a massive dilemma.  You can buy accelera phi r for about £30 a tyre (205 50 15's) and a friend has them on a big turbo volvo 240 (which is a really interesting car in itself) and he's been happy with them.  There's an argument I just chuck a set of them on and get it through the MOT and just drive the blessed thing..............but.................but. .................but I just have a hard time reconciling that tbh.  I even get a bit itchy thinking about putting 225 50 15's on tbh and positively shudder at 195 55 15 (despite them being closest in rolling circumference, but considerably thinner).  

I actually want OE.........but how to get there without breaking the wallet..........will just keep searching.  

The older style alloys are v heavy too - really surprisingly so.  Wondering if you know the weight of the ones you have (which I much prefer actually).  There's something about trying to get it as close to a Lotus Esprit as I can (hence your alloys than mine)............but then I started looking at magnesium split rims (weight, hence magnesium and split rim, because our pcd/size is so awkward there are hardly any off-the-shelf choices). 

I've got a bad feeling my alloys are going to be rejected when i take them to be refurbed too - the insides almost feel like they have a dusty surface - but I don't know if that's just old paint or actual corrosion.  

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

Having just quoted OE I reserve the right to change the seats inside (  )............I'm going to try to update the interior (and keep the OE bits I temporarily not install in the house).  I want to really try to improve the interior.

I'm edging towards alfa 147 seats - apparently they fit.  RX8's too of course but the passenger side doesn't tip forward..............and part of me wants to buy a lhd drivers seat from europe........but I don't have the energy for that............especially in light of how ill my wife is...........so.  147 seats.

I'll strip the electrics off them (if there are any).  I've got a good stereo (90's and a dab aerial and bluetooth connectivity).  

Cambelt next.

 

[grogee]

I'm glad the Excel is a good escape for you @Oi_Oi_Savaloy. I get the same 'zen' experience when fiddling with old shite, takes my mind off the rest of life's problems.

The 215/50 15 tyre is also specced on my mate's quattro and he struggled to find tyres. 

If it was me I'd fit 205/15 and live with it. The difference is so marginal and only fellow Excel rivet counters will notice. 

I'd also say my car had far more grip than power, if you get my meaning. Losing 1cm tyre width isn't going to make a noticeable difference. 

Wheels - mine had the later ones like @Gompo's but I actually like the earlier style. I may be wrong but were the later ones also used on the Esprit?

Nice for you to open some boxes and have shiny new/refurb parts to play with, hope the fitting goes smoothly. 

Belts are belts. I wouldn't hesitate to use a Peugeot item if there's good evidence it works. The Lotus item is only expensive because it's a slow seller and has to sit gathering dust in a warehouse somewhere. 

Seats - I really liked my standard ones but they were in good nick and matched the porn-star leather interior. And used items are probably very hard to find, then refurb is expensive so I see the sense in sourcing some donor seats. 

Good luck mate I hope this sees the road soon. 

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

Thans Grogee - appreciate it and totally agree with the sentiment.  stopped work on the Lotus today to work on the golf we've got (rear wheel bearing needed changing.......which turned in to  a mission when the brake pads disintegrated and that meant going for a caliper too.........eurgh).  But that's done (let's not talk about the other side eh?)

Going to the Senna tribute at Pembrey circuit tomorrow.  Let's see what that brings.  Hopefully the rain will stay away.

 

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

Yeah...........the rain didn't stay away.  

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

And more parts ordered (cambelt, some bits for the passenger door - that needs work - and lower ball joints).  Onwards!

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

My wife is desperately ill;  it's not looking good (and that's the doctors conclusion, not mine).........in the depths of night when I lie awake worrying about the future (it's all about the kids and trying to make my wife as comfortable as possible now) I try to distract myself - thinking about that stuff is tremendously tiring and there's only so much I can do before I start tearing myself inside out - perhaps some of you understand that, others might not of course - I'm just trying to convey what I'm going through when I lie there awake - I think about alot of other stuff to try to distract myself - from history to various books I've always wanted to write to inventions and flights of fantasy to my own death, rarely, but it does crop up, that I'd willingly take my wife's place, how would I digest what the doctor's told her last week, to other, lighter things.........like the car's interior.........specifically the dashboard, which is in a terrible condition.  I know, that's a bit random and I do think of other things too.........but this is autoshite and I'm not sure you're interested in my describing my book I've been thinking about writing that's set in Macedonia - Philip's reign and then onwards into Alexander's).....this is autoshite so I'm keeping it to cars!  

When I bought the car, it had been open to the elements for about 3 years, because the passenger side window fell down to half way and then the tarp the car was under blew up and caught on the roof aerial and the owner had a terminally ill wife at home and understandably he just wasn't in the headspace to keep on going out to sort it (this could be me in 2 years, with my wife, according to the doctors, even though I can't think it and don't want to think it).................and the car just happened to be parked at an angle that meant the rain hit it exactly where you didn't want it to hit..........and it sort of mainly hit one spot, the bit above the glove box.  It's peeled, torn itself apart and now has dried with v hard wrinkles - it looks shocking tbh. I've tried neats foot oil, I've tried leather balm and leather food all to no avail.  I've tried slathering it on and letting it soak in and I've tried applying it sparingly but often.............again.........all to no avail.

But on the list of priorities it was literally last on it for me to worry about because there was so much else to do on the car.  

I had plans to replace the entire dashboard.............but that's not happening now.  definitely not happening.  Getting the car finished anytime soon might not happen now. There are so many things that take more priority................ But I really want to drive it and see it move under it's own power and selfishly, I want something for me.  I recognise that the next 3 or 4 years are going to be all about my wife and kids (and if the worst happens, there's grief to contend with too and it's the kid's grief and their re-actions that makes me really worried)........but a part of me wants something in my life, just for me.  Others will judge that v poorly (which I can sort of understand, but then again, stand in my shoes and go through what I'm going through - or rather go through seeing their love of their life in heartbreaking pain and discomfort and in the current knowledge that at the moment there isn't a cure and she knows it and knows too that this pain might be with her over the journey she has going forward - in the knowledge that they've said they can only slow it down and hope a new drug comes along that might work................you go through that yourself and then judge me afterwards), others will totally understand.

All I can say is this - carpe diem.  And hug your loved ones.  You don't know what's around the corner.

 

 

[New POD]

4 minutes ago, Oi_Oi_Savaloy said:

My wife is desperately ill;  it's not looking good (and that's the doctors conclusion, not mine).........in the depths of night when I lie awake worrying about the future (it's all about the kids and trying to make my wife as comfortable as possible now) I try to distract myself - thinking about that stuff is tremendously tiring and there's only so much I can do before I start tearing myself inside out - perhaps some of you understand that, others might not of course - I'm just trying to convey what I'm going through when I lie there awake - I think about alot of other stuff to try to distract myself - from history to various books I've always wanted to write to inventions and flights of fantasy to my own death, rarely, but it does crop up, that I'd willingly take my wife's place, how would I digest what the doctor's told her last week, to other, lighter things.........like the car's interior.........specifically the dashboard, which is in a terrible condition.  

When I bought the car, it had been open to the elements for about 3 years, because the passenger side window fell down to half way and then the tarp the car was under blew up and caught on the roof aerial and the owner had a terminally ill wife at home and understandably he just wasn't in the headspace to keep on going out to sort it (this could be me in 2 years, with my wife, according to the doctors, even though I can't think it and don't want to think it).................and the car just happened to be parked at an angle that meant the rain hit it exactly where you didn't want it to hit..........and it sort of mainly hit one spot, the bit above the glove box.  It's peeled, torn itself apart and now has dried with v hard wrinkles - it looks shocking tbh. I've tried neats foot oil, I've tried leather balm and leather food all to no avail.  I've tried slathering it on and letting it soak in and I've tried applying it sparingly but often.............again.........all to no avail.

But on the list of priorities it was literally last on it for me to worry about because there was so much else to do on the car.  

I had plans to replace the entire dashboard.............but that's not happening now.  definitely not happening.  Getting the car finished anytime soon might not happen now. There are so many things that take more priority................ But I really want to drive it and see it move under it's own power and selfishly, I want something for me.  I recognise that the next 3 or 4 years are going to be all about my wife and kids (and if the worst happens, there's grief to contend with too and it's the kid's grief and their re-actions that makes me really worried)........but a part of me wants something in my life, just for me.  Others will judge that v poorly (which I can sort of understand, but then again, stand in my shoes and go through what I'm going through - or rather go through seeing their love of their life in heartbreaking pain and discomfort and in the current knowledge that at the moment there isn't a cure and she knows it and knows too that this pain might be with her over the journey she has going forward - in the knowledge that they've said they can only slow it down and hope a new drug comes along that might work................you go through that yourself and then judge me afterwards), others will totally understand.

All I can say is this - carpe diem.  And hug your loved ones.  You don't know what's around the corner.

 

 

Can I send Fuzz a link to this?. It reads like a classic Car SOS episode. And not in a good way. 

I don't know what you are going through. It sounds really really shit. 

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

Absolutely - life has been tough the last 3 or 4 years tbh - she had breast cancer for 2 years (and what she went through then was utterly horrific to watch..........it scars you- the feeling of actually being able to only stand by - yes you're busy with the kids and looking after them and doing your bit but in actual fact all you can do is watch helplessly).  

I look on others whom have gone through cancer with utter admiration - and their families too.

 

But everyone has shit going on - I'm/we're not the only ones.  Not sure it's makes us special or anything. But please do - send it on.  He seems like a thoroughly nice bloke.

 

 

[grogee]

Thinking of you @Oi_Oi_Savaloy, I can't imagine what it's like for you and your family. Please don't apologise for your thought processes, there's no right or wrong way of dealing with this. 

If there's any way I can help, just ask. I'm sure the same goes for the rest of us chumps too. 

[jonathan_dyane]

So sorry about what you're having to deal with.

It's not selfish to want to continue with the car, in fact it might be something which is incredibly helpful and gives you something else to think about helping you to cope better with your situation personally and also with that outlet better support your family 

[somewhatfoolish]

6 hours ago, Oi_Oi_Savaloy said:

My wife is desperately ill;  it's not looking good (and that's the doctors conclusion, not mine).........in the depths of night when I lie awake worrying about the future (it's all about the kids and trying to make my wife as comfortable as possible now) I try to distract myself - thinking about that stuff is tremendously tiring and there's only so much I can do before I start tearing myself inside out - perhaps some of you understand that, others might not of course - I'm just trying to convey what I'm going through when I lie there awake - I think about alot of other stuff to try to distract myself - from history to various books I've always wanted to write to inventions and flights of fantasy to my own death, rarely, but it does crop up, that I'd willingly take my wife's place, how would I digest what the doctor's told her last week, to other, lighter things.........like the car's interior.........specifically the dashboard, which is in a terrible condition.  I know, that's a bit random and I do think of other things too.........but this is autoshite and I'm not sure you're interested in my describing my book I've been thinking about writing that's set in Macedonia - Philip's reign and then onwards into Alexander's).....this is autoshite so I'm keeping it to cars!  

If telling us about books you want to write will help why not start a thread in the open forum? It won't be the weirdest thread in there by a long shot. Sorry to hear about your wife.

[2flags]

So very sorry to hear about your wife. Please, if you want to rant on here about the unfairness of it all please do. Just know we are all thinking and praying for you. 

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

Thanks everyone - your sentiments are very well met here, thank you.  It's a funny old thing but I think we're all in agreement that if we actually all met in real life we'd all get on.  And the forum definitely helps give me time to myself, for myself.  I love reading about everyone's work/trials/tribulations/rage at a non-moving part!/breaking stuff/fixing stuff/problem solving and lateral thinking/and some real knowledge and know-how and almost artisan execution on their cars/bikes/interests.  Really love it actually.  Such eclectic desires (and 90 percent of them I like too).  

I'm not starting any new threads - what tends to happen is I wake up with a particular scenario (in 'my' book) that I'll jot the main themes down or key words.......but I only have a vague idea of where I want it to go or how it starts except the tone.  I've got the tone I want.........just.........everything else is a bit loose at the moment.  but it gives me something to think about/chew over/mull if you will.  But it aint fit to put out there that's for sure.....   Thanks everyone though - means alot.

[chodweaver]

@Oi_Oi_Savaloy Thoughts are with you and yours, fella. Terrible situation to be in. Keep posting.

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

It was my birthday last Friday and instead of wasting some of the money I was given on takeaways/frittering (nothing wrong with either tbh but not this time!) I bought more parts.  Cambelt (need to buy another bit for this - the bearing and tensioner), lower ball joints (need a press for these I think) and a door hinge (quite a bit of kit this - need it for the passenger side door that needs alot of work).

Chemo starts next week along with some other treatments.  We're telling the kids today.  Life eh?

 

[Westbay]

Belated birthday greetings ! Good to see parts arriving... takeaways seem to have dropped from 'something special' to 'can't be bothered to cook have a takeway' 😊

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

I can't sleep these days, funny how life changes you.  I'll sleep v well for a couple of hours and then something'll wake and bang, that's it. So here I am.  Wife's chemo is taking it's toll sadly and we await to see whether it's worked/arrested things once she's completed this 3 month programe.  Paclitaxel if anyone's interested.  Long way to go.

I've yet to fit the cambelt........but only because I've been advised to buy the tensioner bearing too (a v expensive skf 41487a number - with no alternatives out there it seems).  

I know that now but thought there might be something out there - there isn't as far as I can see.  I'll order it in mid-November.  In the meantime I've been to swansea to a wheel refurbishment place and judging by how busy their car park is (and cars within the workshop) they know what they're about.  They are refurbing the alloys as we speak and they should be ready to pick up this Friday.  In terms of tyre sizes I'm almost certainly heading down the 215/45/15 route.......but I'm still holding out for some 215 50 15's - you just never know your luck, perhaps something will turn up.  I've decided the width of the tyre is more important than the ride comfort (there's a slight loss in sidewall height, and thus I expect the ride to be slightly stiffer over what lotus worked with back in the day).  If it's a mistake then I'll sort it some other time.................

At some point all these parts will need to go back on the car.  I've got some help lined up for that when the time comes so progress (without mistakes holding things up) should be made in the run up to xmas.

 

I've still got designs on new seats too (wondering whether F30 or newer one series seats might fit) - latest idea anyway.

Onwards! 

[Captain Mainwaring]

Just wanted to send my very best wishes to you and your family. What a horrible situation, but what a caring, compassionate husband your wife has. Must be of some small comfort to her. 

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

And the purchases quietly keep on coming...........alloys refurbed (pics to follow) and I've just ordered 4 x 215 45 15's (Toyo Proxes from camskill) too.  Next on the list is the skf bearing to go with the cambelt and then I think I'm in a position to start putting stuff on the car........might buy brake discs and front suspension too.

 

Hope everyone is doing ok - everyone's got shit going on at the moment.  Tough times.

[Wibble]

4 hours ago, Oi_Oi_Savaloy said:

And the purchases quietly keep on coming...........alloys refurbed (pics to follow) and I've just ordered 4 x 215 45 15's (Toyo Proxes from camskill) too.  Next on the list is the skf bearing to go with the cambelt and then I think I'm in a position to start putting stuff on the car........might buy brake discs and front suspension too.

 

Hope everyone is doing ok - everyone's got shit going on at the moment.  Tough times.

I can’t believe your strength and how I’ve managed to miss this until now.  My wife is also ill and has endured chemotherapy for her problems. It’s hard but we carry on. I sincerely hope things improve for you both and can see that she is lucky to have you. Good luck and God bless you all. It does seem to be shit times for many of us.

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

Everyone has got shit going on Wibble - this is a wonderful forum for me to vent almost, without fear of comeback (unless i said something really offensive or something).  There are plenty of other people on here going through stuff and the support I've had has been quite humbling tbh (on here).  

My wife's illness has definitely changed my attitude too - the rainy day is here, right now.  Hence the work (and expenditure) on the Lotus.  

We've had family visit the wife these last two nights so haven't had a chance to take pics but will do over the weekend.  More parts are needed and then it's plan of action - I'm going to do the absolute min to get the car on the road - aim is to get it done before end of December...........which is going some tbh.

But I'll do as much as I can between now and then.