Engine Cover 'colors'

[mac5777]

I'm the new guy on the USA block with my newly purchased 67 lotus Elan coupe, 22,000 miles on it???? 36/5785 and engine number LP 597. Just repaired the body, replaced--seems like everthing--it was-- and repainting. Question! the value cover was painted a blue / green and I understand that the color ID's the engine, year and ??? Can anyone tell me what the different colors mean, if anything. I am ready to paint the value covers as they are stripped clean and silver doesn't look that bad. Also I been reading the posts and some of you guys are funny. But what I was interested in was sound proofing. I found a US company called QuietCar on the web, Sunnyvale California, that has a paint on system that beats the glue on pads. They say the difference between a $15,000 and a $75,000 car is 30 dBs. Brush, spray or roll-on, metal or fiberglass, lite weight and thin, three coats = 20db, then you get the carpet pad and carpet added. This is for you guys who like the coupe "quiet inside". They are also know as Quiet Solutiions INC. Let hear from you guys and gals. Thanks

[types26/36]

Mac,
Get yourself a copy of the Wilkins book "Lotus twin Cam Engines" as its got a cam cover colours/power output reference although if I remember correctly some detail is incorrect regarding the Big Valve cam cover.
Are you sure you have not missed a digit in your engine number ? LP 597 sounds a bit low for a type 36 but I could be wrong (engine changed?)
regards Brian.

[mac5777]

Brian, thanks for the book information, I'll try to get a copy. My engine numbers did seem short but not knowing what to expect, I just used what the sellers had on his paper work. Today, I'll check with my mechanic and look at the engine myself. If I can include pictures on this site, I'll try doing that for the engine colors, before rebuilding, and the car itself. Thanks again, Sarto

[mac5777]

Brian, I checked the engine number today and it was missing a number = LP 5971. I have been looking for a source that will give me the engine specs, year, for that engine # Just in case the engine is not original for my 36/5785 1967 elan coupe. Again thanks for the feedback. Sarto

[types26/36]

Sarto,
The engine number sounds about right to me although as its a U.S. car maybe some others could give an indication by their engine numbers, although the Miles Wilkins book does not list numbers it will give you a good source of info. I dont know how easy it is to get in the states but there are a couple on the U.K. Ebay at the moment.
Rgds Brian.

[types26/36]

Sarto,
Go to <a href='http://www.unibrain.org/motorsports/elan/registry/view_cars.php' target='_blank'>http://www.unibrain.org/motorsports/elan/r...y/view_cars.php</a>
your car slots in there with the S3's
Have a look on the back of the head, Lotus used to stamp the engine number on the head to match the block but stopped with the later cars, dont know quite when they stopped though.
Rgds Brian

[gino1]

Hi Sarto,
If you want to ascertain that your car is in an original state, as far as chassis number and engine number goes, or wish to know a little more, write to Lotus in the UK. You should hopefully receive a bill-headed letter indicating matching serial numbers, first registry date and who the first proprieter was.

Ciao
Gino
S3 Milano Italy

[mac5777]

Thanks guys, I've ordered the book on engines, started an owners check with the Dept. of Motor vehicle and will write to lotus. Does anyone have the current address for Lotus? Just purchased, on E-Bay, a rear window for a S3, S4 elan coupe as a spare. Later when the car is finished and nothing was broken, a window will be available.
Thanks again for all of the help!!! Sarto

[NickD]

Another good book, which contains engine identification information missing from the Wilkins book, is "The Original Lotus Elan" by Robinshaw & Ross (ISBN 0 947981 32 2)