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Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: Tramparu on Sunday,March 23, 2025, 03:40:31 AM

Title: Twin Cam Engine Number
Post by: Tramparu on Sunday,March 23, 2025, 03:40:31 AM

I'm in the process of rebuilding the engine on my 1972 TCS, and am trying to decipher the engine block number / history.  The engine number stamp is nothing like a "normal" number.  It has just been stamped onto the rough cast block rather than having a "flat" machined down as normal.  I've attached a couple of pics - the number is hard to read but it looks like 0331091 or possibly O331091.  It is a Lotus block.  Any help would be appreciated !

Title: Re: Twin Cam Engine Number
Post by: TurboFource on Sunday,March 23, 2025, 04:23:37 AM

 :Welcome:

I can’t answer your question but welcome aboard!

Title: Re: Twin Cam Engine Number
Post by: 4129R on Sunday,March 23, 2025, 04:24:30 AM

I have 9 TC engines and they all have S followed by 5 numbers e.g. S31740

What is the car VIN number? I can tell you what the engine number should be from that.

Title: Re: Twin Cam Engine Number
Post by: BDA on Sunday,March 23, 2025, 04:54:02 AM

I can’t answer your question either but  :Welcome Tramparu!!

Title: Re: Twin Cam Engine Number
Post by: Grumblebuns on Sunday,March 23, 2025, 06:33:45 AM

Depending on the market that the Europa should have these letter designators.

"Q" Stromberg (Domestic UK)
"R" Dellorto (Domestic UK)
"S" Stromberg (Federal)

The list was sent to me by an Elan owner. I don't know where he got from or how accurate it is.

Title: Re: Twin Cam Engine Number
Post by: 4129R on Sunday,March 23, 2025, 07:36:16 AM

Quote from: Grumblebuns on Sunday,March 23, 2025, 06:33:45 AM

Depending on the market that the Europa should have these letter designators.

"Q" Stromberg (Domestic UK)
"R" Dellorto (Domestic UK)
"S" Stromberg (Federal)

The list was sent to me by an Elan owner. I don't know where he got from or how accurate it is.

I believe UK TC Europas should start with V then 5 numbers, and it seems UK TCS Europas with Big Valve engines should start with an R then 5 numbers.

Title: Re: Twin Cam Engine Number
Post by: Grumblebuns on Sunday,March 23, 2025, 09:05:16 AM

I just looked at Miles Wilkins Twin Cam engine book and in the Twin Cam Data section he lists the 20 or so prefixes for all of the various TC engines, page 182 in my copy of the book

Title: Re: Twin Cam Engine Number
Post by: Tramparu on Sunday,March 23, 2025, 03:10:02 PM

Thanks all.  The original engine number is stated on the V5 as R27908 which is what would be expected - this was confirmed by Andy Graham at Lotus with the certificate of provenance.  It isn't stamped on the VIN plate though as the car was sold as a kit.  Chassis number is 72101843, so one of the first 100 JPS black cars.  I was wondering if it is a replacement block but no idea how these were sold.