Engine Numbers again

[tonyabacus]

Another enquiry about an engine in my car,
A rebuilt engine (but not the one removed, has just been fitted to my car, but can anyone throw anymore light on the date it was produced please, details as follows,

Elan S4 Coupe
Year 1970
Confirmed by Lotus as an SE Model
Block casting now is a 681F (not the original engine as the previous engine was a 701 block)
Engine number appears to be F22374 or P22374, difficult to read as block has been heavily painted and awkward to read with carbs in place. I am not positive but the number may even start with LP or LF

I think Tim (TRW99) if you read this, you seem to have a good source of engine details or indeed anyone who can shed a bit more light on whether I am reading the engine number correctly, so any information welcomed.
Tony

[trw99]

I can indeed help but am currently on the Isle of Wight until late Wednesday.

Once home with access to my records I shall revert.

Tim

[tonyabacus]

Thanks Tim, I guessed you were likely to have the information to help. Will wait your return and thanks
Tony

[trw99]

Tony,

Back home now. It will be F22374. This engine would have been fitted into an Elan +2S at some time in mid 1970.

F prefix engines were SE Weber spec for the domestic & export versions of the +2 and +2S from Jul 1969 to the introduction of the Plus 2S 130 in March 1971.

I am afraid I can not tell you any further details as I have no record of that Engine No in my data. In fact 1970 engine nos were a bit all over the place at Lotus and records appear scant; not sure quite what was going on that year at Hethel!

Just to close off, P prefix engines were Big Valve Weber units for the domestic market Plus 2S 130. And by 1970 the LP or LF prefixes were no longer in use.

Tim

[tonyabacus]

Tim
Once again you come up trumps, having now used your info to take another look, the number makes more sense as the stamping definitely looks more like the letter E at the start of the engine number.

Not sure what data you hold but do you need anything about my engine to complete a record or two, if so let me know.

Also as I cannot see the side of the block on the right hand side, are all 681 Blocks stamped as L blocks. With the engine installed it is not possible to see, but no doubt you will know.

From the info you supplied I also took a look at the casting date, but again it has thrown up a conundrum as it seems to read M302, which does not look correct. The casting clock above this shows the arrow pointing to 4 on the clock, but what is the significance of the clock?

Thanks for all the help
Tony