Elan +2S 130/4 engine number

[Bart Jan van der Ceelen]

Hello all, I'm new to this excellent forum, having bought an Elan +2S 130/4 recently.

I was wondering if any of you might me able help me out with this question I am having?

My chassis number is 50 0101 M, the car has a 4 speed gear box, and it is supposed to be built in 1971, with an original brown color.

From the list found on sportscarworld I have the following information:
Serial# 0101M, Engine# LPF23975, Gear Box 4, Original color Bahama, Built 1/14/1971.

So it confirms the year, the gear box, and the color. With respect to the engine however, I can't see the engine number EDIT: thanks Gary for pointing out the location on the rear end. It has a red cam cover, and two Webers 40DCOE18. Isn't the +2S supposed to have a black cam cover and different Webers? Is it possible that a non-original engine was fitted at some point in time?

Thanks in advance, Bart Jan

Zoetermeer, Holland
Silver Elan +2S 130/4 1971

[garyeanderson]

Take a look at the photos on the following reply (about half way down) there should be a number on the cylinder head that matches the block number stamping. If there are no numbers on the block maybe its been swapped out in the past and the cylinder head reused?

http://www.lotuselan.net/forums/viewtop ... c&start=15

Is there a block casting number under the (see photo)exhaust? it should be a
701 M 6015 BA or similar...

[Bart Jan van der Ceelen]

Thanks Gary, that was really helpful. It turns out that the engine number is LP 4247. This means that the original big valve engine of 1971 has been removed and replaced by an engine from a 1965 Elan S3. That means I have an older engine, no idea of the mileage, and 105 BHP instead of the 130 that I thought I was buying...
Oh well, she is still absolutely pretty and a pleasure to drive.

By the way, the casting says 120 E 6015.

[garyeanderson]

unit #5012 LP4247 12-Mar-65

120 E 6015 is a rope seal block does the head number match the block or is that different too?

[Bart Jan van der Ceelen]

I can't see the block stamping number, tried mirrors etc. Guess that it can only be seen if at some point in time I would need to take the engine out.

Do you know if the 120 E 6015 block was originally used for the '65 S3?

[robcall]

unit #5012 LP4247 12-Mar-65

120 E 6015 is a rope seal block does the head number match the block or is that different too?

Its an American site-so 5012 is December the 3rd 1965

Didn't the stamp at the rear of the cylinder head only apply to early engines-ie ended when VIN nos separated std/se/UK/export/federal/models

Also-didn't the +2 130 commence at the same time as the sprint -Feb 1971
or were some retro fitted as well?

[JJDraper]

It was my understanding that the cylinder heads were never marked with the engine number at the factory, but were sometimes stamped prior to sending away for repair, to ensure you got back the same head you sent away. Apparently it was not unknown for some repairers to send back different heads that were not as good as those sent to them for work.

It is also common for earlier engines to be upgraded to later spec. My own engine left the factory as a 4 bolt, rope seal crank with small valve head; this is not its current configuration.... 6 bolt and big valve, even though the head is stamped with the correct (and matching) engine number. I had no idea of the crankshaft arrangement until changing the clutch after five years ownership.

The condition and feel of the engine is more important in the long run.

Jeremy