My 72 Europa SS

[Sofa King]

Unfortunately, this isn’t a repost! The engine is out ....again!

[Certified Lotus]

Bummer! Oil pressure still too low?

[Sofa King]

Yep! Found a shop that can do a pressure test on it. Hopefully they can see what is causing the problem. I don’t trust my eyes / judgement to do it myself at this point. I got it out in about a third of the time it took last time, but it’s not something that I want to keep getting better at.

[BDA]

I thought you had it licked last time! Hopefully this guy can find the problem.

[Sofa King]

I thought I had it fixed, but I was mistaken! I think that the only thing left that it could be, is cam bearings. The engine builder said that cam bearings almost never go bad, and he doubts that is the problem. I just hope the problem turns out to be obvious when he opens it up!

[Sandyman]

And we do this for fun.

[Sofa King]

Exactly my thought!!!!

[Clifton]

That's too bad. I can only imagine your frustration. I hope it's nothing too serious and you get it going soon.

[Rosco5000]

Ugh that is too bad!  My LS woe's have been bad.  My wife's Escalade had a roller lifter fail and come apart wearing out the cam and lifter all while sending metal through the oil pump and bearings!  I am not happy but ever trying to make Lemonade out of Lemons my it should be good for 500 hp when its all done.     I hope you find the source of your problem.

Ross

[Sofa King]

My LS experiences overall have been great. This one giving me problems has been the exception. Sorry to hear that yours failed so catastrophically! At least you can sooth your pain with bonus horsepower! The truck engines are a little easier to come by than the aluminum block versions. I have a spare 6.0 waiting for the right project to turn up. I just don’t want to put the iron version in a car as small as the Europa.

[Sofa King]

Just a quick update on my engine progress. The damage was pretty bad. Somehow debris got into the engine, possibly from sitting in my shop for a few years before the build, but there is substantial damage to the crank, cam, and cylinder walls. I am looking into my options, but it comes down to a full rebuild or a new engine.

[BDA]

Man! You must feel like Sisyphus! Good luck with your next move, Sofa!

[Sofa King]

Yeah, and it feels like the rock rolled over me on its last trip down!

[Certified Lotus]

Sorry to hear Sofa King. Very disappointing after all that work. I don’t know much about your engine, but sometimes it’s just cheaper to buy a new short block (if available) then a full rebuild. I found that out from my Lotus Exige S. Toyota OEM short blocks were $2800. The Yamaha head was a whole different story.....

[EuropaTC]

Just a quick update on my engine progress. The damage was pretty bad. Somehow debris got into the engine, possibly from sitting in my shop for a few years before the build, but there is substantial damage to the crank, cam, and cylinder walls. I am looking into my options, but it comes down to a full rebuild or a new engine.

Heck, that's not what anyone wants to find, there's no doubt you've had a run of bad luck there. If there is a plus side, at least you have the reason and it's not something that anyone would point to before the event. We'd all rebuild or re-use if within spec just as you've done, so the only consolation (?) is that it's the sort of thing that could happen to anyone.

I guess it comes down to economics, whether it's cheaper to go replace or rebuild. From what you've achieved so far, I've every confidence you'll bounce back and be posting photos of the car with a sparkly (and oil-pressurized) engine very soon !

Brian