Twin Cam Rebuild - the first two questions (of many)

[Matt Elan]

Having rebuilt lots of old British bikes I'm now doing a Plus 2S, and the first job is to build up an engine. its going to be a bit of an adventure as the car only came with a E6015 'L' block. I've had it resleeved as one of the original sleeves came out with the piston and I'd bought a set of std pistons from Fiberglass services - also had a good chat with Miles Wilkins at the same time. I've sourced various other bits (like a stromberg head from a europa, 6 bolt crank, con rods etc) and bought the important bits new (con rod bolts, main bearing cap bolts, shells, oil pump etc etc...) so now its time to put it together.
First question is - I'm about to paint the block in QEDs finest Lotus grey, but having pulled out the old core plugs, and about to pop in the new ones should I paint the block with the core plugs out (leaving them bare) or put the new plugs in and paint over them - anyone know what a) the factory did and b) what is de-rigour in this situation

Second question is I've got a good Webber head cam cover (2nd generation with 'Lotus' on the end - not a big valve) and was wondering if anyone wants to do a swap for a Stromburg one to save me bodging up (sorry, loving hand crafting) a suitable throttle cable bracket?

[ardee_selby]

Deleted duplicate post

[ardee_selby]

First question is - I'm about to paint the block in QEDs finest Lotus grey, but having pulled out the old core plugs, and about to pop in the new ones should I paint the block with the core plugs out (leaving them bare) or put the new plugs in and paint over them - anyone know what a) the factory did and b) what is de-rigour in this situation

The main sealing mechanism is metal to metal contact so a paint film in between wouldn't help the cause. Paint afterwards...you would also avoid gobs of paint getting into the water jacket!

I don't recall Ford ever painting before installing them...but it was a loooong time ago so my memory is...

Sorry, what was the question?

Richard

[mikealdren]

Completely agree with Richard.

I would expect that Ford sprayed the block and you would not want to spray into the water jacket and the core plugs are also less likely to corrode on the outside with a coat of paint.

Mike

[ardee_selby]

Matt,

A related point...others have found the water jackets contained a build up of hardened "deposits" (and thought to be sand by some)

They have removed as much as they can whilst core plugs are out. Is much "stuff" evident in your block?

Richard

[rgh0]

As far as I can tell from original engines i have seen it appears Lotus painted the assembled engines with heads, blocks and front covers all painted grey after assembly.

cheers
Rohan

[Matt Elan]

Thanks for the replies chaps - and I wasn't going to paint inside the holes for the plugs, I was just wondering if the plugs were painted over once installed Which it seems they ere so its plugs in then out with the paintbrush....

So far not found much crud in the block, but I will give the water jacket a bit of a scrape while the plugs are out. I believe that casting sand residue is blamed by some for Triumph Stag V8 cooling problems..... not that I have a Stag or a V8

[pauljones]

As you are building the engine from ground up,would it not be better to put in the crossflow 1600 crank? I dont know how you feel about origonality but makes sense to me for the potential increase in torque.

Paul

[Matt Elan]

Hi Paul
I've already got a std 6 bolt crank - that's what came up at the time for a good price
Matt