711M Main Caps

[wgrainge]

Has anyone fit the beefier main bearing caps from a 711M block to
their original twincam block? My twin cam is at the machine shop
getting rebuilt, and I have a spare 711M block laying around and was
wondering about this possibility. I imagine some machining and a line
bore would be involved.

Anyone done this? Is it practical/worthwhile?

Thanks,

Will Grainger
1970 S4
45/9693

[twincamman]

Original Message -----
From: Will Grainger
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2003 10:58 PM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] 711M Main Caps


Has anyone fit the beefier main bearing caps from a 711M block to
their original twincam block? My twin cam is at the machine shop
getting rebuilt, and I have a spare 711M block laying around and was
wondering about this possibility. I imagine some machining and a line
bore would be involved.

Anyone done this? Is it practical/worthwhile?

Thanks,

Will Grainger
1970 S4
45/9693

[Arno Church]

I believe it is feasible but it will require machining and line boring- your machinist should know
Arno
----- Original Message -----
From: Will Grainger
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2003 4:58 AM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] 711M Main Caps


Has anyone fit the beefier main bearing caps from a 711M block to
their original twincam block? My twin cam is at the machine shop
getting rebuilt, and I have a spare 711M block laying around and was
wondering about this possibility. I imagine some machining and a line
bore would be involved.

Anyone done this? Is it practical/worthwhile?

Thanks,

Will Grainger
1970 S4
45/9693

[nigelrbfurness]

Hi Ed
This is a routine and worthwhile mod as the 711M main
caps are much stronger. Machine the faces then line
bore and Robert is your Mother's Brother. Use new
bolts, of course!

While you've got it in bits, weigh all the con rods
and get them the same.

Nigel F.

--- Ed Law <***@***.***> wrote: > Original
Message -----

[twincamman]

well i just happen to have a spare set of bearing caps from a formula ford blow up and a spare 711 block to build up a short tc block for the elan ill do that to the tc block in my 7 next rebuild thanks ed
----- Original Message -----
From: Nigel Furness
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2003 4:50 AM
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] 711M Main Caps


Hi Ed
This is a routine and worthwhile mod as the 711M main
caps are much stronger. Machine the faces then line
bore and Robert is your Mother's Brother. Use new
bolts, of course!

While you've got it in bits, weigh all the con rods
and get them the same.

Nigel F.

--- Ed Law <***@***.***> wrote: > Original
Message -----

[twincamman]

does any one know what the 5 and 3/4 head LIGHTS USED IN A 26 R ARE FROM ORIGINALLY ? ed
----- Original Message -----
From: Nigel Furness
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2003 4:50 AM
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] 711M Main Caps


Hi Ed
This is a routine and worthwhile mod as the 711M main
caps are much stronger. Machine the faces then line
bore and Robert is your Mother's Brother. Use new
bolts, of course!

While you've got it in bits, weigh all the con rods
and get them the same.

Nigel F.

--- Ed Law <***@***.***> wrote: > Original
Message -----

[twincamman]

wish I had known that before I turned number 3 con rod journal on the 7 last summer ed
----- Original Message -----
From: Nigel Furness
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2003 4:50 AM
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] 711M Main Caps


Hi Ed
This is a routine and worthwhile mod as the 711M main
caps are much stronger. Machine the faces then line
bore and Robert is your Mother's Brother. Use new
bolts, of course!

While you've got it in bits, weigh all the con rods
and get them the same.

Nigel F.

--- Ed Law <***@***.***> wrote: > Original
Message -----

[Elan45]

Roger


----- Original Message -----
From: Nigel Furness
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2003 4:50 AM
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] 711M Main Caps


Hi Ed
This is a routine and worthwhile mod as the 711M main
caps are much stronger. Machine the faces then line
bore and Robert is your Mother's Brother. Use new
bolts, of course!

While you've got it in bits, weigh all the con rods
and get them the same.

Nigel F.

--- Ed Law <***@***.***> wrote: > Original
Message -----

[twincamman]

ok i thought a 64 ford fairlaine or torino or such ed
----- Original Message -----
From: Roger Sieling
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2003 10:36 AM
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] 711M Main Caps



Roger


----- Original Message -----
From: Nigel Furness
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2003 4:50 AM
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] 711M Main Caps


Hi Ed
This is a routine and worthwhile mod as the 711M main
caps are much stronger. Machine the faces then line
bore and Robert is your Mother's Brother. Use new
bolts, of course!

While you've got it in bits, weigh all the con rods
and get them the same.

Nigel F.

--- Ed Law <***@***.***> wrote: > Original
Message -----

[Foxie]

Will,

I'm scratching my head here. First, why is your original block at the machine shop when you have a 711m block laying around ?

If you are sticking with the original non-steel crank, you shouldn't be doing much over 7,000 rpm and really don't need to upgrade your main bearing caps.

If you go ahead and use the 711M caps, these caps will need machining to fit the block recesses, but they might already be too narrow. You will also need them line bored, 15 thou o/s is normal. But you will then have a 711M block which is useless without the purchase of a new set of caps and cost of similar machine work.

If you are really determined to upgrade your main bearing caps on the original block, QED charge about $100 for a set of steel caps. You should get more than this for the complete 711m block .

Sean Murray
----- Original Message -----
From: Will Grainger
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2003 3:58 AM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] 711M Main Caps


Has anyone fit the beefier main bearing caps from a 711M block to
their original twincam block? My twin cam is at the machine shop
getting rebuilt, and I have a spare 711M block laying around and was
wondering about this possibility. I imagine some machining and a line
bore would be involved.

Anyone done this? Is it practical/worthwhile?

Thanks,

Will Grainger
1970 S4
45/9693

[twincamman]

----- Original Message -----
From: Sean Murray
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2003 8:37 PM
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] 711M Main Caps


Will,

I'm scratching my head here. First, why is your original block at the machine shop when you have a 711m block laying around ?

If you are sticking with the original non-steel crank, you shouldn't be doing much over 7,000 rpm and really don't need to upgrade your main bearingcaps.

If you go ahead and use the 711M caps, these caps will need machining tofit the block recesses, but they might already be too narrow. You will also need them line bored, 15 thou o/s is normal. But you will then have a711M block which is useless without the purchase of a new set of caps and cost of similar machine work.

If you are really determined to upgrade your main bearing caps on the original block, QED charge about $100 for a set of steel caps. You should get more than this for the complete 711m block .

Sean Murray
----- Original Message -----
From: Will Grainger
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2003 3:58 AM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] 711M Main Caps


Has anyone fit the beefier main bearing caps from a 711M block to
their original twincam block? My twin cam is at the machine shop
getting rebuilt, and I have a spare 711M block laying around and was
wondering about this possibility. I imagine some machining and a line
bore would be involved.

Anyone done this? Is it practical/worthwhile?

Thanks,

Will Grainger
1970 S4
45/9693

[twincamman]

ok were talking 2 cars one is a super 7 with a twin cam motor originalblock numberLP7062 lba this one had the original bearing caps and suffered an indignity last summer and was rebuilt with the round bearing caps as I was unaware or the 711 bottom end application ok car one car two is 26r 2 33 came from a barn sans motor and and in a thousand bits some of which were there the important bits now I have a 711 block i was going to or perhaps will make a t c block of but i need the Webber head carbs etc to duplicate the correct motor now if i can find a duff twin cam i can either rebuild it or use the 711 block car 2 now there is also the set of 711 bearing caps i saved fron a formula ford motor that expired at mosport and was all that was salvageable from the block [ big time expiration ]
and i will use these on the lb 7062lba motor rebuild next time and so the saga continues i need a Webber head and ancillaries or complete motor i hope this clears things up a bit ed ----- Original Message -----
From: Sean Murray
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2003 8:37 PM
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] 711M Main Caps


Will,

I'm scratching my head here. First, why is your original block at the machine shop when you have a 711m block laying around ?

If you are sticking with the original non-steel crank, you shouldn't be doing much over 7,000 rpm and really don't need to upgrade your main bearingcaps.

If you go ahead and use the 711M caps, these caps will need machining tofit the block recesses, but they might already be too narrow. You will also need them line bored, 15 thou o/s is normal. But you will then have a711M block which is useless without the purchase of a new set of caps and cost of similar machine work.

If you are really determined to upgrade your main bearing caps on the original block, QED charge about $100 for a set of steel caps. You should get more than this for the complete 711m block .

Sean Murray
----- Original Message -----
From: Will Grainger
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2003 3:58 AM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] 711M Main Caps


Has anyone fit the beefier main bearing caps from a 711M block to
their original twincam block? My twin cam is at the machine shop
getting rebuilt, and I have a spare 711M block laying around and was
wondering about this possibility. I imagine some machining and a line
bore would be involved.

Anyone done this? Is it practical/worthwhile?

Thanks,

Will Grainger
1970 S4
45/9693

[Elan45]

I totally agree w/ Sean. Steel caps would be the way to go if you want to improve the stock block.

I've been told that Cosworth did not change the normal 711M caps for steel ones for the BD series race engines. I cannot vouch for F2 motors but I have a BDH (1300cc) and a BDJ (1100cc) and these are both on a short deck version of the 711M block, originally fitted to stock 1300 Escorts, and they both retain the stock cast caps. The 711M caps are strong, but if you wish toupgrade, a much more logical solution would be steel caps which can be fitted and machined to retain the original bearing shell size. Oh, and please don't pitch that stock Escort 1300 block that's been lying in a dark cornerfor years. They have value to some of us.

Roger



I'm scratching my head here. First, why is your original block at the machine shop when you have a 711m block laying around ?

If you are sticking with the original non-steel crank, you shouldn't be doing much over 7,000 rpm and really don't need to upgrade your main bearing caps.

If you go ahead and use the 711M caps, these caps will need machining to fit the block recesses, but they might already be too narrow. You will also need them line bored, 15 thou o/s is normal. But you will then have a 711M block which is useless without the purchase of a new set of caps and cost of similar machine work.

If you are really determined to upgrade your main bearing caps on the original block, QED charge about $100 for a set of steel caps. You should get more than this for the complete 711m block .

Sean Murray
----- Original Message -----
From: Will Grainger
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2003 3:58 AM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] 711M Main Caps


Has anyone fit the beefier main bearing caps from a 711M block to
their original twincam block? My twin cam is at the machine shop
getting rebuilt, and I have a spare 711M block laying around and was
wondering about this possibility. I imagine some machining and a line
bore would be involved.

Anyone done this? Is it practical/worthwhile?

Thanks,

Will Grainger
1970 S4
45/9693














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[wgrainge]

Thanks Sean and everyone else for your replies. I've used the 711M
block in my Elan for the past 15 years (probably only 5 to 10
thousand miles though). The original block hasn't been used since
1986 and is in great shape-never been rebored. The 711M block was
bored out to the max-85 or 86mm IIRC. The 711M block has some
advantages, but I found it to be a real pain in the butt. The timing
cover leaked badly due to the taller block (harder to seal up), it
also leaked badly around that rubber tube beneath the carbs which
connects the block to the head (larger hole in the block, and great
distance between block and head). The cam cover would rub on the
hood. Cam timing was a challenge to get right.

Here's a good related article:

http://www.lotus-cortina.com/library/block/blocks.htm

-Will Grainger
1970 S4
45/9693

[twincamman]

shean how much did you have to remove from the head of the block for deck height ? ed law
----- Original Message -----
From: Will Grainger
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2003 9:49 AM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] Re: 711M Main Caps


Thanks Sean and everyone else for your replies. I've used the 711M
block in my Elan for the past 15 years (probably only 5 to 10
thousand miles though). The original block hasn't been used since
1986 and is in great shape-never been rebored. The 711M block was
bored out to the max-85 or 86mm IIRC. The 711M block has some
advantages, but I found it to be a real pain in the butt. The timing
cover leaked badly due to the taller block (harder to seal up), it
also leaked badly around that rubber tube beneath the carbs which
connects the block to the head (larger hole in the block, and great
distance between block and head). The cam cover would rub on the
hood. Cam timing was a challenge to get right.

Here's a good related article:

http://www.lotus-cortina.com/library/block/blocks.htm

-Will Grainger
1970 S4
45/9693