TC Engine Value?

[TCAdvocate]

Hello Gents,

I've run across an opportunity to purchase a twin-cam but have no idea of the value.

It was used in a vintage racecar but the owner is selling it because it's "over size" for his racing class.

The block shows an "LB" casting. The engine has been bored and stroked to 1834cc and is running Weber 45's. It has a dyno sheet showing a bit over 190 hp at 8,000 rpm. 140 ftlb torque.

It's been disassembled, inspected, and magnafluxed where appropriate.

I can make an offer as is or assembled and re-dyno'd.

Thanks for your input!

[tvacc]

I just paid 4K for a Weber head, with DCOE 40's. Just the head, valve guides, and Webers.
So.....what is a whole motor worth? $7500 perhaps. The top end is certainly the most expensive part. The DCOE 45 are a nice addition. It is has a race crank...that is worth some bucks.

Heck, if you don't take it, I might be interested. It would fit real nice in my 65 Lotus 7. Might tear the rear end out however!!!!!

[rgh0]

Ultrasonically check the cylinder bores if you find any spots less than 2,5mm then factor in the cost of a replacement block.

Value of the engine itself depends on the specification and quality of the components used to build it and the current state of wear and future life of components. A new fully complete race engine where everything is done properly using top quality components is going to cost you over 10,000 pounds in component state before it is built.

cheers
Rohan

[denicholls2]

The detail Rohan left out regarding the block if it's porous that as a newbie you might not be familiar with is that not every Ford block is capable of serious overboring, so you can't rely on ordering up any old replacement on eBay. The consequence is that the pistons need homes that are big enough or you'll need new smaller ones.

Also, per Tony's comment, do confirm the engine has a steel crank. The stock crank won't turn 8,000 RPM for long.

[TCAdvocate]

Thanks. Great info.

It has a forged steel crank but I don't know who made it.

I'll see what more I can find out.

[TCAdvocate]

More information....

Rods : Carrillo
Pistons: JE
Crank: Cosworth (they are double checking but believe it to be)

The block numbers above the motor mount pad ends in LB-A

[rgh0]

So far so good. It sounds like the bottom end was built with the right racing bits. A bottom end assembled right with those should be good for 9000+ rpm.

cheers
Rohan

[1owner69Elan]

Just curious, what the intended use for the engine?

Unless for racing, may not be particularly well suited for the road.

[TCAdvocate]

Rohan: Thanks for the info. That's a lot of RPMs!

Just curious, what the intended use for the engine?

Unless for racing, may not be particularly well suited for the road.

I don't yet have an intended use. Street/trackday/autocross Elan? Spitfire conversion? Super 7? Cortina?

I think it would need a different distributor as it's probably full advance for racing and it would need a wet sump or the car would need a dry sump tank. Other than that I'm not sure what would be un-streetable about it unless the cam's are way out there.

Thanks for everyone's input!

[rgh0]

The biggest issue for street use will be compression ratio and cams. Its been built as a serious competition engine with the money spent on the bottom end to enable reliable high rev use. If its using some thing like 290 degree seat to seat with around 0.45 inch lift cams then it could be used on the road, anything much more than that in duration is for the track. Compression ratio maybe up around 12.5 :1 if it was running Avgas or racing fuel so you may need a piston change. To bring it down to 10:1 to 11:1 range , The exact target depends on the cam and fuel being used.

cheers
Rohan

[TCAdvocate]

Ah, yes. It probably would need avgas or race fuel. 110 octane is $12 per gallon here. Maybe I'll just let it sell on one of the race sites when ready.

[nmauduit]

Ah, yes. It probably would need avgas or race fuel. 110 octane is $12 per gallon here. Maybe I'll just let it sell on one of the race sites when ready.

It could be worth assessing what CR it is set for presently (e.g. to check if a thicker gasket or minor piston machining could bring it back within pump fuel use if need be), since the market for race engines over 1600 is quite smaller than for engines within racing rules...