Engine serial numbers rehashed again

[loueelotus]

Hi .. I have been looking at threads here on the engine serial numbers and was wondering if there are any definitive answers on the matter.. I discovered that my Elan S2 1965 does not have the original engine serial number and read online somewhere that most of the older engines have exploded and just wore out.. Anyways .. I was wondering if anyone would have an answer on my numbers.. The original number was LP 3841LB for the engine orininally installed.. Now has LP 6181LB 4 bolt ..
Regards,
Lou

[Frogelan]

Hi Louis

Thanks for your post. I have a S1.5 64 Elan first registered in the US in 65. Its original engine number was LP2147.

I was looking at another car for sale recently which was the car with the chassis number immediately preceeding mine and found that there was a 200 or so difference in numbering. I think that it is possible to conclude that the numbering system was rather strange (probably some went off in batches to Ford?).

I'm not sure of the exact history of engine that I do have...there is no number...unless I cannot see it.

Do you happen to know where they are located on the engine?

Andrew

[alan.barker]

bonjour Andrew,
the number should be stamped next to the engine mounting
Alan

[trw99]

The serial numbers for Lotus Twin Cam engines was sequential. However, not all Twin Cams went only into Elans, they were of course fitted to the Lotus Cortina, MkI Ford Escort Twin Cam, some Lotus 7s, the Lotus Europa and several Lotus race cars during the earlier series of Elans.

Neither was there any system in place for fitting the next engine in number sequence to the next Elan on the production line, so there is nothing to be made from one car having an engine number hundreds of numbers from the next.

Lou, Engine No 3841 was fitted originally into Unit No 4877. Engine No 6181 was fitted originally into Unit No 5886. 4877 was invoiced in July 1965, 5886 almost exactly a year later.

Andrew, Engine No 2147 was fitted into Unit No 4022 and invoiced in November 1964. Engine No 2342 was fitted into the previous car, Unit No 4021 and invoiced 13 days later than 4022.

In looking at the Elan records of this period it is best to concentrate on the known invoice date (in fact the only date we have for most cars) and to then batch them into working weeks. In that way we get a far more accurate idea of when cars were produced and when new series or fittings were introduced.

Tim

[Frogelan]

Thank you Tim. Information is correct !

BTW I am originally from your area.

[loueelotus]

Thanks everyone I got all the information I needed through different sources.. But Tim you set things in motion..

Regards,
Lou

[Concrete-crusher]

This is an interesting thread for me as I have just removed my engine to tackle the long term oil leaks and do my first rebuild. So the first thing I did yesterday was look for the engine number. On both the upper section of the left engine mount and the lower rear right section of the block is stamped 3020E , I realise this is a type and not a serial , so any ideas where the serial might be ?

Thanks Steve

[nmauduit]

On both the upper section of the left engine mount and the lower rear right section of the block is stamped 3020E , I realise this is a type and not a serial , so any ideas where the serial might be ?

Engine number is usually stamped on the somewhat horizontal flat above the right engine mount, look for something like LPxxxxLBA

as per photos from the forum :
http://images.lotuselan.net/lel/10484/0/IMG_1075.JPG

[Concrete-crusher]

Ahh Got my left and rights mixed up , the 3020E is stamped on the horizontal above the cast L on the engine mount.

[fjrtel]

Hi there,
I am from Australia and have just bought a 1965 Elan (early S2).
Chassis no. is 26/4193
Engine no. is LP2625LBA
Head:
26E311
WM
LM8 WP

Does anyone know where I can verify that the engine is that originally fitted, please? I am trying (but failing) to get in contact with Andy Graham. Has he retired, and if so, is there anyone else doing his vital job??

All help/information gratefully received.

Terry