1986 Excel SA Mid life refresh

Restoration threads may be posted here. I can move them from any other topic if you wish.

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Alan_M
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Model: Excel SE, Excel SA, Elan SE
Colour: Red, red, white
Location: South Wales

Re: 1986 Excel SA Mid life refresh

Post by Alan_M »

Modern rubber seems to be 💩

Fitted new CVJ boot to my Elan to replace an original that lasted over 30 years.
New one has split while sat waiting for other work - wheel hasn’t even turned!!!

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Hawaiis0
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Posts: 4587
Joined: Sun Jun 30, 2013 18:39
Model: '86 SA; '89 SA '78 Elite 504
Colour: BRG; Dirty White
Year: 1986
Location: West Oxfordshire

Re: 1986 Excel SA Mid life refresh

Post by Hawaiis0 »

Update on the perfectly fitting boot seal that is perishing like 40 year old rubber.

Well the rubber was 40 years old! :oops:

Taxi!
Nothing is fool proof. Fools are clever!

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Hawaiis0
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Posts: 4587
Joined: Sun Jun 30, 2013 18:39
Model: '86 SA; '89 SA '78 Elite 504
Colour: BRG; Dirty White
Year: 1986
Location: West Oxfordshire

Re: 1986 Excel SA Mid life refresh

Post by Hawaiis0 »

Antics today include

Fog light plinths remounted.

Image

Replacing the old refitted boot seal with a new one I just happen to find on the shelf. :oops:

New LH bonnet release cable installed and both sides reconnected.

Bulkhead air plenum re-mounted

Boot lock re-mounted.

Aircon pipes prepared.

Leather door trim taken out of storage, shuffled placed back in box and restored. Maybe next time :D
Nothing is fool proof. Fools are clever!

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Hawaiis0
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Posts: 4587
Joined: Sun Jun 30, 2013 18:39
Model: '86 SA; '89 SA '78 Elite 504
Colour: BRG; Dirty White
Year: 1986
Location: West Oxfordshire

Re: 1986 Excel SA Mid life refresh

Post by Hawaiis0 »

As I progress, I clean, restore and paint parts as necessary or replace. The heater matrix valve was one item to refurb prior to remount. Check of the cost of replacement was around £100 from UK supplier but I managed to get a genuine Toyota one from Japan for £31 'shipping inc'. Well that saved a paint brush!

Image

New side repeater next to clear way for the fuse/relay panel in the LH footwell to be remounted with looms to the door and then the heater system. Note side repeater mounts with the lens screw forward!

Image

Image

Followers may recall a PO rogue wire running across the engine bay and passing through the bulkhead on each side. That was a jumper for the central locking yellow wire which was broken in the loom - 3 inches from the connector in the door. Rather than fix the loom the ridiculous jumper was installed. Now back to standard.

Top tip make sure the heater fan is installed BEFORE you mount the bonnet latch. IT's a right phaff otherwise.
Nothing is fool proof. Fools are clever!

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Hawaiis0
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Posts: 4587
Joined: Sun Jun 30, 2013 18:39
Model: '86 SA; '89 SA '78 Elite 504
Colour: BRG; Dirty White
Year: 1986
Location: West Oxfordshire

Re: 1986 Excel SA Mid life refresh

Post by Hawaiis0 »

The perfectly serviceable original heater valve is available at £31 if anyone interested.

£75 +vat and postage from UK supplier

Bargain :D :D :D :lol:

Japanese supplier details £40 if interested 8)
Nothing is fool proof. Fools are clever!

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Hawaiis0
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Posts: 4587
Joined: Sun Jun 30, 2013 18:39
Model: '86 SA; '89 SA '78 Elite 504
Colour: BRG; Dirty White
Year: 1986
Location: West Oxfordshire

Re: 1986 Excel SA Mid life refresh

Post by Hawaiis0 »

Not much progress last few weeks regrettably.
Hawaiis0 wrote: Thu Mar 26, 2026 20:01
Image
The 2 unconnected pinkish wires floating centrally in the image are important!

They are for the low pressure switch connected to the evaporator inlet pipe, which is behind everything you see in the image.

Here endeth todays lesson.
Nothing is fool proof. Fools are clever!

Pete Boole
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Re: 1986 Excel SA Mid life refresh

Post by Pete Boole »

Bugger! One step forward etc.. :(

Pete

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Hawaiis0
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Posts: 4587
Joined: Sun Jun 30, 2013 18:39
Model: '86 SA; '89 SA '78 Elite 504
Colour: BRG; Dirty White
Year: 1986
Location: West Oxfordshire

Re: 1986 Excel SA Mid life refresh

Post by Hawaiis0 »

Fortunately easy fix in the Lotus position, working blind using aircraft trained hands.
Nothing is fool proof. Fools are clever!

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