Original engine?

[Donnie]

Recently purchased a 1962 Series 2 Chassis number SB1211. Current engine is a 1600 xflow which is not original. Am trying to find out what engine came originally in the car. The registration plate says the original engine was "S267210F". I'm guessing that it is either a Ford sidevalve or a BMC "A" engine but can't find any identifying info on the web. Anybody got any ideas?

[bball7754]

Looking in Chris Rees book "The Magnificent 7", I think it would probably have been the Ford 105E engine. Lotus started using it in 1961, and it became the "standard" engine. It replaced both the sidevalve and BMC A engines.

 

If it's a Super Seven, I think it would have had the Ford 116 E Cortina engine.

 

Again per the book, your chassis number indicates the car was made at the Cheshunt factory, rather than in Hethel.

 

Steve

[Donnie]

Looking in Chris Rees book "The Magnificent 7", I think it would probably have been the Ford 105E engine. Lotus started using it in 1961, and it became the "standard" engine. It replaced both the sidevalve and BMC A engines.

 

If it's a Super Seven, I think it would have had the Ford 116 E Cortina engine.

 

Again per the book, your chassis number indicates the car was made at the Cheshunt factory, rather than in Hethel.

 

Steve

 

Thanks, Steve. I have Rees' book. I was hoping I could get a definitive chassis number/engine relationship. My car is RHD and could have been a factory build. One would assume that there are records somewhere.

[Croc]

I used to own a 1965 Lotus 7 Series 2 in Australia. I am not at home right now as I am away for the weekend so cannot check the chassis number to see how close to yours I am but mine did have an original Ford 1500cc Cortina engine (seized but came with the car as the original engine). I am not sure if the engines were standardized between countries?

 

Do you have access to the Dennis Ortenburger book on sevens - maybe some more information there?

Edited June 14, 2014 by Croc
fixed typos

[breezy7]

Maybe you've already tried these but here are a few sites that might be of use.http://www.lotus7register.co.uk/ http://www.simplesevens.org http://www.historiclotusregister.co.uk Posting a picture here could help.

[Donnie]

I used to own a 1962 Lotus 7 Series 2 in Australia. I am not at home right now as I am away for the weekend so cannot check the chassis number to see how close to yours I am but mine did have an original Ford 1500cc Cortina engine (seized but came with the car as the original engine). I am not sure if the engines were standardized between countries?

 

Do you have access to the Dennis Ortenburger book on sevens - maybe some more information there?

 

Thanks. Emailed the previous owner (owned it since 1976). He may have some info. Hoping to find an original type engine to rebuild. Hope its a Kent. Have more experience with it than sidevalve.

[Donnie]

Maybe you've already tried these but here are a few sites that might be of use.http://www.lotus7register.co.uk/ http://www.simplesevens.org http://www.historiclotusregister.co.uk Posting a picture here could help.

 

Yeah. Tried all of those. Seems with such a limited production it shouldn't be dificult to get build records. Thanks.

[escondidoron]

Hi Donnie;

 

I recommend that you make contact directly with John Watson at the Lotus Seven Registry (URL already provided in an earlier post). He has copies of the original Lotus build records. He can tell you what your car came with as long as you can authenticate that it is indeed SB1211. To do this you will need to provide John with both the s/n (i.e. SB1211) and the chassis number. The chassis number can be found in one of two locations: On the chassis tube that mounts the brake and clutch master cylinders / pedal assembly or on the chassis cross tube under the front of the bottom seat cushion. Mine is found under the left hand (passenger) seat cushion.

 

If your car came with a 105E the original engine it would have been equipped with dual side draught 1-1/4" SU carburettors and looked something like this (but in much better condition):

 

The book that is, in my opinion, the best information and reference source for your car, besides the factory manual, is, Lotus Seven: Preparation, Restoration and Maintenance, by Tony Weale.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71Q5YwoWKDL._SL500_SY300_.jpg

It is out of print, but used copies show up on ebay from time to time and are generally available from Amazon. While it can be a bit expensive to purchase, it is very comprehensive.

Edited June 15, 2014 by escondidoron