tall block vs. TC block

[rdssdi]

What is a "tall block" with a TC head?

How does this differ from the Lotus TC "L" block?

Bob

[rgh0]

The blocks used by Ford to make the 1600cc cortina and escort engines are called the tall block because they are about 1/2 inch taller than the Lotus Twink blocks which were the same as the blocks Ford used in the earlier1500 cc Cortinas. Apart from the height difference and a number of other more subtle changes they are functionally identical. You can build a twink on this block with the longer stroke crank it used with suitable piston mods and suitable mods to front timing cover / chain.

The "L" block was a 1500 block with a large L cast into the left hand engine mount boss. The block was no different to to the standard 1500 block which Lotus had used up to the time the L blocks wre introduced around 1968. Apart from the L designation despite and the impression people try to give that it is something special the blocks were no better. Personally I prefer the earlier 1500 blocks as they used the screw in oil pick up rather than the later press in pick up used in the L blocks.

I believe the reason the moulds were modified to incorportate the "L" was that Ford had change all it engines over to the 1600 block height at that time and was only making the 1500 blocks for Lotus. So as to easily distinguish between the 2 height bloks in the factory they put the large L on the 1500 blocks

cheers
Rohan

[steveww]

Just a little note

Using a tall block you can build up a twinc with larger capacity e.g. 1700cc.

[RotoFlexible]

The "L" block was a 1500 block with a large L cast into the left hand engine mount boss. The block was no different to to the standard 1500 block which Lotus had used up to the time the L blocks wre introduced around 1968. [...]

I believe the reason the moulds were modified to incorportate the "L" was that Ford had change all it engines over to the 1600 block height at that time and was only making the 1500 blocks for Lotus. So as to easily distinguish between the 2 height bloks in the factory they put the large L on the 1500 blocks.

I have read that the introduction of the "L" in the block came at the same time as the changeover to the press-in oil pickup (and the six-bolt crank) as you state. Yet my block, original to my July '65 build, sports the "L" as shown in the photo. I have the screw-in oil pickup with the head in the center of the pan. It's a puzzlement.

Using a tall block you can build up a twinc with larger capacity e.g. 1700cc.

We built a 1700cc on my TC block. There's a stroker crankshaft of FF origin, FF rods, and very short pistons - I'll try to post a photo later. The crank is a six-bolt so it doesn't work with the original sump; we (or rather, Bill McCurdy) modified a six-bolt sump to accommodate the center pickup position, then baffled it liberally.

[rdssdi]

I was interested as I saw a Europa for sale on Ebay that said it had a "tall deck" engine with no mention of it being a non Lotus block. I assume it was a replacement for the original.

Bob

[rgh0]

[quote="RotoFlexible Yet my block, original to my July '65 build, sports the "L" as shown in the photo. I have the screw-in oil pickup with the head in the center of the pan. It's a puzzlement.

.[/quote]

Andrew -It certainly is unusual. Perhaps Ford also made some earlier L blocks before their general introduction and use by Lotus. This may be the source of the myth that L blocks are desirable because they have thicker bore walls - maybe these early ones did.

cheers
Rohan

[reb53]

This site is a good source of info re blocks.

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

Ralph.