Cam Cover Identification

[1963 S1]

Does this cam cover look to be a reproduction or original production? It was fitted on engine LP584, Unit Number 3190.

[Elan45]

Early cam covers were either a blue metalic or a green for SE version. Never red. Red and black covers came into being when the script Lotus covers were replaced with the block letters across the timing chain part of the cover. Whether or not it is original or copy casting I can not determine, but the color is wrong for this period cover.

Roger

[PaulH]

Here's a couple of images of the cam cover of a 1966 S2. I believe it's the original, still had some of the blue paint on when I got it.

Cam cover Elan S2 1966

Cam cover Elan S2 1966

[1963 S1]

Thank you for the feedback. I suspected that the casting on the interior appeared a bit precise, purposely trimmed to clear a taller cam (or?) with the cut out. So likely an aftermarket/non-original cam cover. When compared to the S2 cam cover from Paul where the inner ridges appear smooth and uniform. On the exterior the two appear very similar, including the Lotus script.

[Certified Lotus]

Media blast the red paint on the inside of the cam cover. You don?t want the inside painted, it will eventually decompose from the hot oil and blend into your oil. Not ideal.

[rgh0]

Thank you for the feedback. I suspected that the casting on the interior appeared a bit precise, purposely trimmed to clear a taller cam (or?) with the cut out. So likely an aftermarket/non-original cam cover. When compared to the S2 cam cover from Paul where the inner ridges appear smooth and uniform. On the exterior the two appear very similar, including the Lotus script.

Smooth inner ridges are the normal situation for original covers as far as i am aware. Your cover is either after market or someone modified an original cover at some stage for some reason

Externally it looks like the right details and Lotus script so externally good as original if that matters to the casual observer. I am sure with some careful measurement of dimensions and an original cover to compare to you could tell if original or after market copy as some original detail would not match based on mould shrinkage dimensions.

cheers
Rohan

[Craven]

It seems to be a feature of aftermarket covers to have an equal size pair of internal webs, a lower or smaller web is required to clear the cam. It can be seen on genuine covers where one web is cast lower, the cut outs I guess are for this reason.