help identify old lotus engine

[maximus35]

hello, i recently bought a project car and the collector had this old lotus engine in his shop that looked very interesting so i picked it up. its in pretty rough shape but i was hoping it may be worth something to someone and would like to know more details about it. I think ive identified it as a lotus cortina engine with a stromberg head, but i could be mistaken. i have attached pictures of the engine and transmission, any info or help would be much appreciated, also what would be the value of something like this? thanks in advance!

[gherlt]

You should include a picture of the oil sump and a better view of the gearbox.

[elanfan1]

If you can clean up and read the engine number stamped into the horizontal face of the flange near the engine mounting points on the carb side that will give a better idea. Does it turn?

Not too sure of US prices tbh but it must be $2000+


Edited for a load of Bollo

[Elanintheforest]

The 'L' version of this block was fitted to the Mk2 Lotus Cortina, as well as the Elan, Plus 2 and Europa. If fitted to the Lotus Cortina it would have had a weber head originally. It will have round caps and a 3020 6 bolt crankshaft.

Chances are as its in the USA, it's from an Elan or Plus 2, and that means that the head could be original to that block.

If it's not an 'L' version, it is a tall 1600 block from a Kent engine Cortina GT / 1600E, but I don't think it is as can't see a spacer between the head and the front cover.

[maximus35]

I’ll upload more pictures I took of the engine and any codes

[Elanintheforest]

It is an original short block for a Lotus Twincam

[maximus35]

It is an original short block for a Lotus Twincam

I’m not familiar with these cars at all but are the same engines used in the cortina and elan? Or different displacement? Because visually they look very similar so I wasn’t sure what I had but the valve cover on mine looks like the ones used on the cortina

[Elanintheforest]

The same engines were used on the Elan and Cortina Twincam, but the Elan had the weber head replaced in 1968 with the Stromberg head for most export markets and, for a while, for the domestic market as well.

[mbell]

If you can post the engine number that's stamped on a ledge on the block between the fuel pump and distributer above the engine mount on the intake side it likely be helpful.

A few members have car production lists for elan, +2, Cortina's and might be able to Look the engine up and find the car it came from.

[Slowtus]

Have a look here

https://www.lotus-cortina.com/library/block/blocks.htm

[gjz30075]

Where in Georgia are you? You can pm me if you 'd like.

[pharriso]

It’s a federal S4 from 70-71, removed from an Elan. Note the Stromberg head & blanked off cross-over tubes, way too late for a Cortina.
Looks like it was removed by a wrecker/junk yard in their customary style.

[nmauduit]

Not too sure of US prices tbh but it must be $2000+

imho +/- 2000 depending on actual condition... some dimensional checks would help narrow down an evaluation, esp. considering the storage conditions that were not very kind apparently.

[rgh0]

It’s a federal S4 from 70-71, removed from an Elan. Note the Stromberg head & blanked off cross-over tubes, way too late for a Cortina.
Looks like it was removed by a wrecker/junk yard in their customary style.

With a 681F block it may be a bit earlier than 70 -71. These blocks were used from 68 to 70 if i recall correctly and then replaced with the 701M block. The US Stromberg cars were introduced in 1968 while UK cars did not go to Strombergs until 1969. So I would guess its from an Elan in the 68 to 70 time period

cheers
Rohan

[pharriso]

It’s a federal S4 from 70-71, removed from an Elan. Note the Stromberg head & blanked off cross-over tubes, way too late for a Cortina.
Looks like it was removed by a wrecker/junk yard in their customary style.

With a 681F block it may be a bit earlier than 70 -71. These blocks were used from 68 to 70 if i recall correctly and then replaced with the 701M block. The US Stromberg cars were introduced in 1968 while UK cars did not go to Strombergs until 1969. So I would guess its from an Elan in the 68 to 70 time period

cheers
Rohan

And I didn't realise until tonight that the Federal Stromberg emissions were launched in 1968, so we're in agreement that this engine is dated somewhere between 1968 & 1970.