Engine Identification Detail

[Trident team]

I am in the process of building up an engine from parts collected over many years.
My question is how do ''identify'' this.
The cylinder head carries a number ''D090 17140 as well another number NI 289.
The head, I think came off a twin cam Escort that experienced a major engine failure.
It has been completely overhauled. New cams, valves, buckets, springs, guides and seats.
I intend to use a standard 120E 6015 block as per the early engines [pre ''L'' blocks]
and 116E rods... nothing fancy. Just a spare if ever needed.
Advice or comment on the process would be appreciated.
Geoff

 

[Brian c]

Personally I'd use the stronger 125E rods with new hd bolts.

 

[Pete G]

I'd second that !

"I intend to use a standard 120E 6015 block as per the early engines [pre ''L'' blocks]
and 116E rods".

Why ??

 

[Trident team]

Choosing and using 116E rods because that's what I have, without the expense of locating and buying 125E
rods to do the same job.
All the engines used the 116E rods initially including my own. which incidentally has its original engine fitted from new.
My car has been on the road now for many years with most of the original parts still fitted and working fine.
I do not intend to push the boundaries in competition or the like, with this engine, so I expect it will
perform as it should, without any problems.
Thanks for your interest.
Geoff

 

[Rick]

Geoff, all twin cam engines used the 125E Rods, for good reason, the 116E rod is not up to the job in a twin cam, you say all your engines use 116E rods, are these twin cams or pre-crossflow 1500.

The cylinder head number 17140 does relate to an engine fitted to a +2 Elan manufactured 8-11-68

 

[Brian c]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/lotus-cortina-engine-/193764810042?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292
Be quick, bargain of the year.

 

[tommy]

My engine is original to my 65 car. When I took it apart last year, due to a valve spring breaking, I found it was still fitted with the early C type, not the 125E L type rods. They've been in it for 55 years so far, so didn't see much point changing them on a standard spec rod car engine.
Tommy

 

[Trident team]

Following the discussion and various interesting comments, I decided to investigate further into the history and
development of the early twin cam engines.
Two very reliable sources provided me with some information that is worth considering.
In the very early days the prototype head was bolted on to a 109E Consul Classic block of 1340 cc capacity
and running the 109E rods.
This engine was taken to Bologna Italy to have the weber carburettors set up properly.
Later an Anglia 105E was fitted with a twin cam for Jim Clark to drive and he is reputed to have given more than one Jaguar driver a surprise.
In the Lotus Cortina Service Bulletins printed by Ford. [March 1964] Page 10 of 16.
Paragraphs relating to conrods reference is made to the attaching bolts for cap to rod attachment.
The bolts being 11/32'' dia.
The conrods that use that size bolt is the 116E rod.
Bearing in mind the 125E-C rod uses an 3/8" dia. bolt to attach the cap.
Reflecting on my earlier comment regarding my engine and the fact that is using the 116E rod,
my sources tell me that all the early engines that were built at Lotus used that conrod and slowly replaced them with the 125E-C when Ford took over the production of all the twin cam engines.
Any other comment on the early development is welcomed.
I have some other interesting data on Ford blocks, that would be for another day.
Thanks for your interest.
Cheers Geoff

 

[Trident team]

Reference data from Ford Service Bulletins

 

[David Baldock]

Geoff. Good to see the Service Bulletin's being put to good use!

Dave B.

 

[tommy]

Hi Geoff, as per my previous post the original engine is still in my July 65 build car and as far as the old paperwork I have shows, it is fairly unmolested in the last 55 years, apart from my recent trouble with breaking a valve spring and a rebore/crank grind in about 1982. It has the 116E "C type" rods fitted and I've no doubt they've been in it from new. Unless you are going to rev the guts out of this engine you are building, I can't see you having problems running the 116E rods.
Tommy

 

[Trident team]

Thank you Tommy
Interesting to hear of your engine's conrods being the same as mine.
My car was built in October 1965, maybe around the same time as yours.
As I said, it seems Lotus were still fitting engines with 116E rods at that time.
Cheers Geoff
PS Yes Dave the service bulletins are being put to good use when needed. Tar Mate