Cam Cover Confusion Continues

[mjbeanie]

Hello guys, I picked up a Lotus Elan S3 DHC last month from BaT. I've been going thru the car's needs. Started resetting valve clearances as they needed adjustment. The car is a type 45, unit 6350, with engine LP7093. (ID plate does match the stamped number on block). Given all this, I was trying to read all the threads on proper Cam color (with the raised "Lotus" lettering) for this car and determine how to proceed. Somehow I ended up more confused.

While I don't think this is a special equipment version I did discover the uprated camshaft installed, Type C for special equipment. So all that said, any ideas on what color should I paint this darn cam cover to be "reasonably accurate?" A photo would really be helpful. Thanks for the guidance. -Mike

[gjz30075]

Mike, if it were an SE, it would have the additional blinkers on the front fenders, a stainless sill strip,
leather covered steering wheel and a three point belt system, along with the engine 'upgrades'.
Then the cam cover would be this color green.

If you're sure it's not an SE and someone just added the engine 'goodies', then the cam cover would
be blue. Maybe the Lotus Archivist can narrow down whether or not your car came from the factory
as an SE, via the VIN.

[mjbeanie]

Thanks Greg,
I appreciate the comments as well as the photos! It still remains unclear as I can check some of the boxes but not all. My comments in parentheses.

if it were an SE, it would have the additional blinkers on the front fenders, (Need to understand further, would love a photo!) a stainless sill strip, (Unknown, Not present when I purchased), Leather covered steering wheel (YES) and a three point belt system,(YES) along with the engine 'upgrades'.

(It does Not have any indication of brake servos which I had thought was part of the SE package.)

I think I will start a history request with Andy Graham at the Lotus Registry as you had mentioned. This is interesting nevertheless.

Thanks for your help!
MIke

[gjz30075]

Whoops, forgot about the brake booster. Pictured are the sill strip, fender blinkers, "Elan S/E"
badging and where the booster should reside. On this car (mine) the booster was removed
and the lines joined. You might be able to tell if the holes for the sill strip and light were filled
in sometime in the past.

[mjbeanie]

Thanks again Greg. I've also the DCOE 18 Webers installed, not the DCOE 31 which apparently were fitted to the SE variant. So I guess I will assume this Elan, is a "non-SE type". I will go proceed the BLUE cam cover!
(I am starting a production inquiry started with the Lotus Registry just for fun.)

The ID plate and block have matching engine numbers. But it seems I've a some of the special equipment, especially the Type C cam, but I suppose swap might have occurred sometime in its history...its a mystery.

[rgh0]

The type 18 to type 31 weber change was just a running change by Lotus at sometime during S3 prodution. I dont think it related to standard versus SE spec engines. My early S4 came originally with a standard spec 105HP engine but Type 31 Webers.

cheers
Rohan

[elans3]

Rohan is correct, it was a running change.both my '66 S/E's came with 18's, my '68 reg S/E (manufactured Dec '67), came with 31's from new.