I'm probably going to need my head skimmed, some guides replacing and depending on price have 3 angle valve seats cut
Is there any particular head shops that are recommended that are used to these Lotus heads? There is a head shop about 100 miles thats the closest to me, so I'd happily send it away anywhere in the country to somewhere that specializes in these
Martin
Recommended head machine shops?
Moderator: Board Moderators
- Gray14
- Junior Poster
- Posts: 94
- Joined: Wed Oct 06, 2021 22:40
- Model: Eclat 2.2
- Colour: Monaco White
- Year: 1981
Re: Recommended head machine shops?
Where abouts are you located?
-
Mart1n95
- Junior Poster
- Posts: 38
- Joined: Tue Aug 12, 2025 14:15
- Model: Eclat Excel
- Colour: Black (mostly)
- Year: 1983
Re: Recommended head machine shops?
I'm up on the north coast of Scotland, the nearest is Inverness which is 110 miles away! So I may as well just ship it off as it would cost the same to get it to my nearest anyway
I might not have to, I've bought a 9/32 guide reamer to try and ream out the 2 tight guides, and I'll see how it's all looking once the new exhaust valves come, getting it skimmed was just a nice to have if I had to send it away to get guides done anyway
I might not have to, I've bought a 9/32 guide reamer to try and ream out the 2 tight guides, and I'll see how it's all looking once the new exhaust valves come, getting it skimmed was just a nice to have if I had to send it away to get guides done anyway
-
tezzan
- Junior Poster
- Posts: 83
- Joined: Wed Apr 03, 2019 10:46
- Model: Excel
- Year: 1984
- Location: New Forest
Re: Recommended head machine shops?
Hi Martin
If you do decide to get the head skimmed, it might be worth asking SJ Sportscars where they get their heads done. Probably not local to you though (SJ are based in Devon!).
If you do decide to get the head skimmed, it might be worth asking SJ Sportscars where they get their heads done. Probably not local to you though (SJ are based in Devon!).
-
Mart1n95
- Junior Poster
- Posts: 38
- Joined: Tue Aug 12, 2025 14:15
- Model: Eclat Excel
- Colour: Black (mostly)
- Year: 1983
Re: Recommended head machine shops?
Good idea! I think I'll do that then!tezzan wrote: Mon Oct 13, 2025 08:23 Hi Martin
If you do decide to get the head skimmed, it might be worth asking SJ Sportscars where they get their heads done. Probably not local to you though (SJ are based in Devon!).
- rbgosling
- Senior Poster
- Posts: 1981
- Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 22:55
- Model: Lotus Excel SE
- Colour: Midnight Blue
- Year: 1990
- Location: Rugby
Re: Recommended head machine shops?
I used Knight Engine Services, which are pretty local to me in Northamptonshire. I can't recall for certain but I think I went there because Lotusbits used them. Anyway, they did a great job.
https://www.knightengineservices.co.uk/
https://www.knightengineservices.co.uk/
"Farmer" Richard
1990 Lotus Excel SE (Lilith)
2022 MG MG5 EV (not due to be a classic for quite a few years...)
2011 Nissan Leaf (Ragly - EV pioneer, must be due to be a classic one day)
1990 Lotus Excel SE (Lilith)
2022 MG MG5 EV (not due to be a classic for quite a few years...)
2011 Nissan Leaf (Ragly - EV pioneer, must be due to be a classic one day)