Engine id

[Sheldo]

Newer member, and I know engine numbers have been discussed a lot, but.... when I bought my plus2, 26 years ago --- yes, it's taken 25 years to get it back on the road --- it came with a box full of extra parts - everything but a block for a second engine. I assumed the previous owner cracked a block and bought a new engine to drop in. The current block is a 681F6015 with T4 above that. The inlet side at the fuel pump has I (letter i)20838 stamped and a 22 stamped at a tab at the front of the block (upside down?), and a T embossed below that. My thoughts are this is out of a MK II or Cortina??

[oldelanman]

The I 20838 stamping looks like the Lotus engine number and the prefix letter "I" indicates a Federal Stromberg +2 so it may well be the original engine for your car. Does that number appear on your paperwork and VIN plate ?

I suggest you contact Andy Graham the Lotus Archivist and he may be able to confirm what engine number your car left the factory with. He posts on here as Lotus Archives so you can send him a PM or you can email him ...... agraham-at-lotuscars-dot-com

[2cams70]

681F blocks were either 1600cc capacity (for garden variety crossflow Cortina) or 1500cc capacity for Lotus. The 1500cc version is around 200mm in height from sump face to top of deck - the 1600cc version is slightly taller. If it's 1500cc then it could still be from a Cortina (if engine number search is inconclusive) as Ford also recycled reject Lotus blocks as 1500cc pushrod engine service exchange units. 1500cc non-crossflow pushrod engine was in Mk1 Cortina and Mk 2 Cortina until 1967.

[Sheldo]

Thanks for the feedback. The original engine was I 17996. So a bit earlier than the current one. I will reach out to Andy Graham.