Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

What's the difference between a 105E and a 113E bell housing
Basically the 105E was used originally on up to 1200cc and the 113E was used on the 1500 Cortina etc
The only thing I can see is that the lugs seem to be heavier duty.
I am just wondering whether the clutch would be different?

Thanks

The 105e bellhousing is a larger diameter further back (ie towards the gearbox) which is why it was used for the Twincam in the Elan, BDA & Twincam and Mk1 Escorts and mk1 Lotus Cortina (mk2 Cortina used a different bellhousing) with the larger clutch that is spec'd for the engine. The mount point and size of boss for the slave cylinder is the same between 105e and 113e.

You should be able to use a 113e bellhousing in an Elan but it would mean you couldn't use the Lotus specific flywheel or clutch and it would mean a drop in size of clutch to 7.5".

Thanks for that, its not actually for an Elan!
Its a 1500gt Pre crossflow engine with a lightened standard flywheel. So I am guessing all will work just with a Cortina 1500gt clutch which presumably would be 7.5inches. Gearbox is 2000E type.
I suppose the issue is the suitability of the smaller clutch to a tuned 1500gt engine.

You're welcome!

The 113e bellhousing will work fine but you will need to have the correct clutch fork and release bearing carrier. An anglia 997 clutch fork and bearing is different to an anglia 1200 one but I believe the anglia 1200 and mk1 cortina 1200/1500 and Lotus Twincam are all the same. Part number of 109e 7511 (number not off the top of my head - just checked my parts book!) which actually originates from the Ford Classic / Consul 315.
If you fit a diaphragm clutch as opposed to a spring clutch the spacing is different between the two as the spring clutch was a lot deeper "face-to-face" (which is why - in my opinion - the deep bellhousing on the anglia was to give room for the clutch and bearing etc).

As for 7.5" clutch being up to the job? Tuned crossflows mostly have 7.5" clutches even upto and beyond 150bhp so I reckon you'll be fine! Just fit a heavier duty one if you're worried - AP do a copper impregnated disc and you can buy decent covers no issue!

So all will be fine!

Thanks

Hi Terry
Just as a little confirmation, when I first restored my +2 back in the late eighties, I was missing the bellhousing & couldn't find a correct one anywhere. As it was the only thing stopping me finishing the car, & I happened to have a flywheel & 7.5" clutch assembly from a 1340cc Ford Classic lying around, I found a 113E bellhousing & put the car together like that as a temporary measure. Many years & about 30,000 miles later, I eventually found a correct 105E bellhousing & as I had a few oil leaks & suspect water pump bearing, I decided to remove the engine to sort all that & finally fit the correct bellhousing & clutch etc. The 7.5" clutch had never given me any cause for concern, & was hardly worn at all, it still had thousands of miles left in it. It also gave a much lighter clutch pedal, & was much more progressive in use, it was much easier to get a nice smooth get away. In fact, Mrs O won't drive the car now, she says the clutch is much too heavy for her, & I must confess, I sometimes wish I had left well alone.

Regards, Tim

Thanks for the replies, it seems that by accident I have ended up with the right bell housing for the car!
Its in early stages but it's a very rough Ginetta G4 and I was trying to get any heavy parts that I needed over with a friend.

Terry

The bellhousing on the gearbox I removed from an Escort Twin Cam is the same as a 105E Anglia bellhousing (It shares the 105E casting number) except that it has been machined internally around the entire inner circumference for greater clutch clearance. As far as I can tell it's never been modified from standard and the clutch when removed was also standard. The part number for the bellhousing is listed as being 3026E 7505A which suggest that it's undergone an additional manufacturing process because this is not an Anglia part number. This is the only Twin Cam bellhousing I've checked however. I'd assume the Elan's bellhousing would share the same inner machining but cannot confirm.

In the Twin cam application the bellhousing uses both the Cortina 1500 release fork and Cortina pivot. The Anglia pivot cannot be used with the Cortina arm. Pictures of Twin Cam and 105E Anglia bellhousing attached.