Recommended Engine Builder

[andyhodg]

Hi All

Can anyone recommend an engine builder to me? All I want them to do is replace the cam follower sleeves and recut the exhaust valve seats. At the moment I am considering Tim Samways Sporting and Historic Car Engineers Ltd near Banbury, Osselli in Witney or John Smirthwaite. If any one can offer an opinion regarding any of these companies or recommend an alternative (preferably in the Midlands area) I would be grateful.

Many thanks

Andy

[lotusfan]

Hi Andy

I have used Osseli at Witney and would happily go there again.

[Elanintheforest]

John Smithwaite certainly knows his stuff, but he is usually very busy with a long lead time. I was up there a few months ago talking to him about my Elite engine, and he'd just had an order for 4 x twincam race engines for a Lotus Cortina for the season @ ?15,000 each. He does rather specialise in the race stuff, so is a tad expensive!

Mark

[MintSprint]

Does anyone (Mark?) know if Nick Stagg is still in business and, if so, contact details for him?

[bcmc33]

Andy,

I found this guy during my "busted block" episode. He's only a stones throw from Matty in Bromsgrove:
Dave Wells
S.H. Engineering
www.shengineering.co.uk
He tends to specialise in Mini Cooper and Honda, but has the kit to do anything. He refurbed the replacement block that Matty gave me and will be doing the business on the tall block when I tell him to.

Also, reasonably local to you is Geoff Dodd at AutoSprint in Coleshill - he might be the most suitable for you as he is very conversant with the Twink. www.autosprint.co.uk/

[Elanintheforest]

I'd not heard of Nick Stagg, but as he's local to me I think that I should have! What does he do / does he specialise in Lotus stuff?

His contact number on t'internet...

01454-323130

Mark

[MintSprint]

I'd not heard of Nick Stagg, but as he's local to me I think that I should have! What does he do / does he specialise in Lotus stuff?

Yes, he's a Twin Cam builder of some repute... not quite the reputation of John Smithwaite, perhaps, but definitely up there.

His contact number on t'internet...

01454-323130

Yes, I'd got that, thanks... thing is, I'm even more local to him than you (the last address listed for him on the internet is about 10 minutes drive from where I live), but no sign of any motorsport/Lotus related activity when you drive past and I don't like ringing up/knocking on peoples doors to disturb their privacy for no good reason; it would be nice to know if he was still in business for future reference, but I don't need any engine work at present (famous last words!).

Thing is, last I heard there was a suggestion he'd stopped doing 'customer' work because he was under exclusive contract to a team racing BDA Escorts or some such.