Just brought home a basket case S4. And I do mean basket case. Completely disassembled. P.O. even took apart the fuel pump, window motors, calipers, pistons from rods–everything except–thankfully–the transmission. I’ve had a couple of Europas, and an Elan about 50 years ago! But Elans are something one never forgets and I’m looking forward to this long term restoration project and I hope to “Get By With a Little Help From My Friends”—that’s you guys.
Welcome, we can help…
but do yourself a favo(u)r… buy the Brian Buckland book… it will save you days & is a good read…
Welcome, and agree completely with Phil!
And the workshop manuals !
you are close to greatness, lots of locals, who are in the know!
Miles Wilkins book is great for the engine. Good luck. 
Brian Bucklands book now has a new section on engine. Well worth getting. D
Oh, and good luck and a very Happy Christmas and a much better New Year to all my readers - D
Welcome!!!
Lee,
As the others have mentioned various books, I also bought a parts book, not just for the part numbers but also for the drawings of what the parts look like and where they fit.
Hope this helps,
Richard Hawkins
That sounds like a lot of fun Lee.
I’ve just finished the restoration of an S4 convertible, and as the guys have said above, get the workshop manual, Brian Buckland’s book and Miles Wilkins book in the Twincam engine.
If the chassis hasn’t been taken off the body yet, that is one of the first jobs I would do. Check it out to make sure it’s straight and not corroded, get it painted, and then you have somewhere to put the sub-assemblies one by one when you have re-built them. That way you can break up the project into many smaller projects, and having the body off makes work on the mechanical bits so much easier.
Good luck with the project and enjoy!!
Mark
Thanks very much for all the good wishes and advice. I’ve got the factory workshop manual and the Wilkins book on twin cams. I’ll be keeping an eye out for a parts manual and the Buckland book, but lots of good reading for now. Bear with me.
For Brian Buckland’s book see this topic:
viewtopic.php?f=50&t=41416&start=
Welcome Lee!
Welcome Lee.
When my 1st Elan came to live with me in 1974, I had just worked my way through my BSME as a mechanic on British cars, no Lotus or Jags, so I had a little experience. There wasn’t a Brian’s book. I would have bought one if they were available. So, I had to make do w/ the shop manual, which was furnished w/ my new Elan toy. Besides, we had just moved into small town Indiana and little local expertise. But today I still don’t have a copy of Brian’s
book, I just don’t see me using it, but if I were in your shoes, I probably would pick on up.
Welcome aboad and I’m sure you’ll enjoy your new Elan expeerience.
Roger
I bought an S3 in boxes and now approaching the end of the rebuild. Brian’s book was essential.