⭕ Lotus Elan Big Valve, Late 701M L Block Twincam 1558cc Engine, complete with most ancillaries to drop in and go.


As you will be aware, the 701M is the most sought after block for a Twincam, it is stronger, and has the square type main bearing caps.



Ancillaries include : Flywheel, Cam cover (early type, but unusually chromed !), Carburettors, (Dellorto DHLA 40s), Petrol pump, Oil pump, Distributor, Engine Mountings, NGK HT leads and caps, Dipstick, Sump, Stainless steel braided fuel hose, Alternator and bracket, Exhaust manifold, Thermostat Housing, Cylinder head to carburettor airbox breather tube, etc. It only needs a clutch, a fan pulley and the fan to complete.


I bought this engine around 3 years ago as a spare for my Elan S3 DHC, the car is long gone, but Ive hung on to the engine, looking for that elusive Mk1 Cortina or Escort rolling shell to produce a Lotus Cortina or Escort Twincam replica.


The price of a good shell for either of those two cars has put that possibility out of reach now, hence Ive decided to sell it.


The engine came from a guy with a Lotus Elan +2 S130, who was going over to a Zetec engine. He told me that it had been rebuilt around 1000 miles ago, and I would certainly concur with that.


I was impressed with the way it started instantly from cold, with no smoke, no tappet rattle or any top-end noise, and the way it revved freely.


The Big Valve Cam cover that came with the engine had some cracks around two of the securing holes, so I replaced it with an unusually chromed early type cover.


I checked the pistons with a torch through the spark plug holes and they are very clean. I then squirted some oil down the bore to conserve the surface, and Ive turned the engine over by hand every month since it has been in storage in my dry garage.


I whizzed the sump off to check the crank sizes, and the mains are - 0.020, the big ends are - 0.030. The crank journals that I saw when removing these two caps are perfect, just as ground, with no marks whatsoever.. You can see from the photos that the inside of the engine is very clean, the underside of the pistons and the rods are almost as clean as when they were fitted, adding to the claims of only 1000 miles since the rebuild.
The inside of the sump was immaculate, and the little oil that was left inside was clean.


It has immaculate D Type, two groove, SSE (Sprint) camshafts fitted, and has had a new timing chain, bottom crank sprocket and the timing chain adjuster is right out.


I have not removed the cylinder head to check the bore as it seemed unnecessary, given the excellent condition of the rest of the engine, and if I was to have used it, I would have been confident enough to have just fitted the engine as it is.


I gave the block a coat of the correct colour Lotus Grey engine enamel today just to freshen it up. There was no evidence of any leaks from any of the joints anywhere, oil or water.


I obviously couldnt measure the cylinder head thickness , but it looks as though it hasnt been overskimmed, if it has been skimmed at all. Compared with my other two T/C engines sold earlier this year, it appears to be potentially original thickness.


I will supply the buyer with a new complete gasket set, (although only a sump set is required), and will also provide a spare exhaust manifold with a Y piece, as the one shown in the pictures is in very good condition, but has no Y piece with it.