Engine Block

[street]

NZ South Island listing; not mine, at 1,500 GDP cheap, postage ay be a little heavy though.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/car- ... 4987649371

[rgh0]

The block is a bit of a mystery or the photos actually show two different blocks. One photo shows a block for a rear sump Escort dip stick block typically a 681F or 701M block casting after around 1969 but another photo shows a screw in oil pick from a early block such as a 120E prior to around 1967 The whole block casting number has been ground off which further makes it hard to identify. From the date code shown it could be a 1964 120 E block or a 1974 701M block ?

At NZ $3000 it is not particulalrly cheap either with unknown pistons and rods and a rope seal crank

cheers
Rohan

[2cams70]

It's definitely not a 681F or 701M casting. The rear dipstick tube is a modification and not original. 681F and 701M blocks had a special boss cast in that area for the dipstick and different font/script for the FoMoCo name cast into the LHS. This appears to be a standard 120E block. There's a high probability of it originating from a standard 1500cc Cortina rather than a Lotus. Difficult to be 100% certain from the picture but it seems to have a standard 1500 Cortina crank and not a Lotus one.

[rgh0]

It's definitely not a 681F or 701M casting. The rear dipstick tube is a modification and not original. 681F and 701M blocks had a special boss cast in that area for the dipstick and different font/script for the FoMoCo name cast into the LHS. This appears to be a standard 120E block. There's a high probability of it originating from a standard 1500cc Cortina rather than a Lotus. Difficult to be 100% certain from the picture but it seems to have a standard 1500 Cortina crank and not a Lotus one.

The photo showing the rear dipstick tube appears to have the casting boss for the dipstick tube. Hard to tell with the lighting ?

cheers
Rohan

[2cams70]

It looks quite clear to me Rohan. This is what it should look like in that area if it’s a 681F or 701M block. I’m all up for a discussion though should you think differently!

[512BB]

Ahh, you Aussies, always up for a good fight . Almost as daft as someone writing to a company for clarification over what someone else has bought With that company writing back, starting off 'Dear Mr No Name'

Leslie

[Craven]

Don’t overlook the obvious from Engine Number -- 2168 ? but LBA. Would indicate an early 1964 casting.
Dipstick tube a mystery.
2cams70 Why do you think it’s not a Twin Cam crank, see pic genuine article.

[512BB]

2cams is thinking along the lines of 'it does not look like a 3020 6 bolt crank to me', which of course it is not. The engine is fitted with a 4 bolt crank. Another reason for believing the block is much earlier than 701 block, or even a 681 block.

Edit: Having re read his post, I am not sure what he is thinking. Sometimes difficult to fathom.

Leslie

[Craven]

701 block has big square caps.

[2cams70]

Don’t overlook the obvious from Engine Number -- 2168 ? but LBA. Would indicate an early 1964 casting.
Dipstick tube a mystery.
2cams70 Why do you think it’s not a Twin Cam crank, see pic genuine article.

The Twin Cam crank has larger counterweights compared to the standard Ford 1500cc crank. That's regardless of whether it's a 4 bolt or 6 bolt type. Some engineer way back when has done some maths and decided that the counterweighting on the Lotus crank should be different because of different reciprocating masses standard Ford 1500 engine versus Lotus Twin Cam engine even though the journal sizes and strokes are exactly the same.

From the picture it looks to me to have the standard 1500 crank that has smaller counterweights. It's difficult to tell this however just from a picture and I could be wrong.

[2cams70]

Ahh, you Aussies, always up for a good fight . Almost as daft as someone writing to a company for clarification over what someone else has bought With that company writing back, starting off 'Dear Mr No Name'

Leslie

Yes in general despite our reputation as a sporting nation we are very poor sports. Many infamous incidents have occurred in cricket for example. Google "New Zealand versus Australia underarm bowling incident" and "Australia cricket ball tampering" for a glimpse.

Butt then again we all have our problems - The English are well known for their endless complaining and I am well qualified to make this comment because my partner happens to be English. Thank goodness the English have many other redeeming qualities!

Also Leslie my cat always agrees with my opinions even if you don't. Cats rule - and my cat knows how to work it's way around a car

[Craven]

Well known fact to Twincam builders.