Cross flow engine mountings

[alfadave]

I have a 68 plus 2 project which has a crossflow 711M tall block with a big valve twin cam head.

Lotus galv chassis a few years old.

The bonnet is touching the front of the engine and not closing properly.

Does anyone know if modified engine mountings are available to lower the unit.

There isn't enough meat left on the existing (brand new) mountings to slot the holes.

I've tried QED and Sue Miller to no avail.

Thanks,

Dave

[bill308]

Hi Dave,

I have a similar issue on my baby Elan, a 1966 S2. I think I can solve my issue by replacing the standard intake side Weber motor mount with one from a Stromberg car. Take a look at this for your car.

If replacement of your existing motor mounts with and off the shelf replacement won't solve your issue, it may be possible to modify your existing ones by welding one some additional meat so you can slot or re-drill the holes for more clearance.

Can you estimate how much of an interference you have?

Bill

[john.p.clegg]

Bill
How do the stromberg mountings differ from the weber/dellorto?


John

[alfadave]

Bill,

Difficult to accurately assess,but the bonnet is sitting approx 3/8" high all round.

I read that the tall block is 7/16 higher than the Lotus one.

So was thinking of dropping the engine by 1/2".

Not sure about the Stromberg mounts.

Also the Lotus mount on the carb side is different I understand from Brian Bucklands book. It avoids a clash with the air filter box and bulkhead.

Would fitting a pair of those be a possibility?

Thanks,

Dave

[alfadave]

Bill,

sorry,got it wrong!

The Lotus bracket on the carb side lifts the engine,not lowers it!

Dave

[bill308]

I did some checking on motor mounts, using the Elan, and +2 Service Parts Lists and DBE's catalog.

The Elan with Webers (and Dellortos) used 026E6011 on the LH (exhaust) side and 026E0374 on the RH (carb) side.
The Elan with Strombergs used 026E6011 on both sides.
The +2 used 026E6011 on both sides.

The 026E0374 motor mount raises the engine position.

If you have a +2 with a clearance issue, just make sure you have the correct 026E6011 motor mounts. If these don't provide enough clearance, you will likely have to modify your mounts or your bonnet or your bonnet location.

Bill

[alfadave]

Bill,

I'm not sure what the difference in height is between the LH and RH Elan mounts.

But on my plus 2,the 2 mounts are the same.They measure 20mm from the top of the mount to the top of the 2 bolt flange.

The hole centres are in the same positions each side.

So,I think (hope!) I have the correct mounts.

I have a 711M block,and noticed that the spacers on the LH side are 1 1/4 " long.

Looking at previous posts about the 711M block,it is 11mm wider than the Lotus one.

So,before I go any further,I'll reduce the spacers by 11mm and see if it has any affect on the engine height.

Thanks,

Dave

[john.p.clegg]

I suppose 1/4" on the chassis holes and 1/4" on the mounting holes,and maybe 1/4" on the block fixing holes will give you 3/4" lower...

John

[bill308]

Hi Dave.

You likely have the correct motor mounts. Both should be the same. Still, It would be worth checking anther Elan and compare your motor mounts to theirs, the left one on a weber head baby Elan or any other Elan. The hope is you have the wrong (RH Weber motor mounts-higher) in both locations and so the correct ones would lower the engine relative to the chassis/body.

You may get a 1/4+1/4 additional clearance by working the existing motor mounts but the spacers shouldn't have any effect on the height as they are in the wrong axis.

It could be your bonnet has distorted somewhat with age and has lost some clearance? It may need some reshaping.

Bill

[elanman999]

Dave,
I don't see why you're looking to lower the motor 1/2 an inch, 1/4 should be enough.

If you build the bottom end with 711m block, crank and rods. Then fit twin cam pistons and the pistons will be approx 6mm down the bore at TDC. So you need to machine approx 6mm of the top of the block and then it is only approx 6mm taller that a L block.
Cheers
John

[alfadave]

John,

thanks for your response.

I'm not expert enough to know the exact details of the engine you refer to.

The bonnet was rocking on the front of the engine.

When I evened it up,it was sitting approx 3/8" high.

So,I've taken the mountings off,and slotted the holes with a round file.

I gained 3/16" on the bottom of the 4 holes.

1/4" on the top of the 2 holes.

And 1/16" on the bottom of the chassis holes.

In total 1/2".

Repositioned the bonnet,and its now ok,sitting a fraction low.

Cheers,

Dave