Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I've been reading a lot on this site and it greatly helped me with identifying my Twin Cam engine.

I used to own 2 Elans, an S1 and S2 FHC. Nearly every day I regret selling them! The FHC had the most wonderful I ever had as it was revving easily up to 8500 RPM without breaking down. It was super fast.

Many years ago I bought a new Caterham ( after owning a Donkervoort) and I made the mistake by fitting a 2L Ford OHC (pinto) engine.

Now I managed to get my hands on a Lotus Twin Cam engine and I am in the proces of rebuilding it and after that I will fit it in the Caterham Super Seven.

Thanks to everybody for the information I got so far from this forum.

The engine I have has the following numbers:
Block: 2030 E6015 and stamped on the side: LF10404 LBA
Head: LF 10222 and F189

From the factory the LP engine number on the head and block should match. The LF prefix suggests these were used in Ford models from late 1967-early 1968.

Thanks for the reply!

I knew the cylinder block and head wouldn't mach because when I bought it, I just picked up an "L" cylinder block and a cylinder head without cracks.

The block has new pistons and bearings now and I have a shopping list ready to be able to complete the rebuild of the engine.

It looks like the only thing to do on the cylinder head is the adjustment of the valve clearance and check the timing when it is fixed to the cylinder block.

The reason why I wrote down all those numbers is because I am curious to know when it was build and for what car.

What I have also noticed is that on both camshafts there is the number 053 stamped in (at bulkhead side) .

Thanks again for your response!

Some engine numbers in the 104## and 102## series were fitted to Elans in Q4 1967 and Q1 1968.

However, as Andy has indicated, LF engines tended to be fitted to the likes of LoCorts and Escort Twin Cams (a very small number were fitted to the very earliest +2s).

Tim