Lotus 78 question...

[indydog]

This is gonna sound like a really stupid question.

I'm building the Tamiya 1/12 Lotus 78. The instructions call for running hoses from the oil tank (between the engine and gearbox) to the oil cooler in the nose. My question is this: would the sections running under the car be steel tubes or would the hoses run all the way to the front? I can't find any info on the layout of the bottom of the car and it seems to me a bit reckless to run hoses, outside the car, all the way to the nose.

[Patrick]

Not stupid at all! Interesting...I'm sure hoses weren't used and tubing sounds correct, but exactly where were they located? I Googled "Lotus 78 cutaway" and can see a tubing line running on the right side of the side pod under the front suspension and into the nose to the oil radiator. The line seems to run completely through the lower right side pod.

Patrick

PS further inspection shows the return tube line running through the left side pod.

[Orso]

I would say that it look like tube run in the side pod.

Attachments:

[indydog]

Thanks guys! Excellent photos!

It also shows that .80 braided line may have been to big, perhaps I should have used .45. Oh well, live and learn.

[smbrm]

Dec 10, 2013 13:21:14 GMT -5 indydog said:

Thanks guys! Excellent photos!

It also shows that .80 braided line may have been to big, perhaps I should have used .45. Oh well, live and learn.

Based on Patrick's first pic above, I would agree that it is tube along the sides of the monocoque with braided hose at both ends for flexibility/give. It should be going forward on the left and back to the tank on the right. There is evidence that the tube may have been totally in the air stream here:

www.lotustalk.com/forums/f223/picture-underside-lotus-78-jps-86382/

but this is a left side view.

I do not see any lubrication system detail on this question in Orso's first pic, as it appears to be the prototype assembly which did not originally have the gearbox spacer oil tank. However the 2nd Orso pic and others suggest funnily enough that there may have been braided hose inside the side pod, at least on the right side and tube for the part outside the monocoque between the nose and the side pod. Note the oil temperature sensor in the line just before the side pod bracket. There is also evidence the braided lines were covered with reflective insulation near the oil tank because of the proximity to the exhaust heat.

This photo clearly shows the external line on the left side, however it appears to be braided hose.


This photo appears to be a restoration due to the clothing of the people and probably a Classic Team Lotus event. As always with restorations, function and expediancy sometimes trumps accuracy.

This photo was source here, but you have to scroll a ways to find it.
www.scalecars.cz/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=5197



Hope that helps too.

Stephen

[smbrm]

Further

The two rods through the lower suspension inner pivot point on part D48 of the 1/20 kit probably represent the external oil cooler tubes. Interesting how things get translated into kit form.

[indydog]

Interesting stuff guys. The general consensus seems to be that there is a tube there, but no one is sure just what kind of tube.

I think to simplify things (and to save my wallet from having to buy 2 more feet of braided hose), I'll install tubes under the chassis with braided line at each end.

[smbrm]

Sounds like a legitimate solution. You can always claims mechanics prerogative!

[Patrick]

I agree with the tube hypothesis since no flexibility was necessary. I agree also that the small color photo of Stephen's is a restoration. I hate restoration photos.

Pareick

[russd]

Another good photo is on page 164 of "The Single-Seat Lotus: Formula 1 & Indy Cars" by Doug Nye. Shows the line on the right hand side plus the connectors to to front radiator. I agree … it looks like tubing. Lots of insights into the design of the car.

Rusty

[smbrm]

Patrick

I'm curious regarding your comment about flexibility/give not being required?