I have been following your rebuilding prosess and some other things. I was working for a welding shop in northern Alberta we were have a problem with one person saying one thing and not what we had sent out. So we started photographing everything it saved our butts more than once. Have a great day from central Alberta Canada
Lee. I used to work in the M/ort industry. In thr 80's you could by through Burtons a 'Jackshaft'. :This was a shortened Camshaft consisting of the front &: middle bearings and dizzy gear.: have also seen people run needle roller bearings on the distrinutor shaft instead of phosphur bronze bearings.
Lotus lump certainly should have had the big end bearings with the holes fitted in the rods, not the caps. That said, I'm not sure if those particular Arrow rods have squirt holes for the bores; if not, the bearings are fitted incorrectly but it really won't make much difference. Shame to see such fabulous rods overheated. I once took my brain out and fitted a set of Arrow rods with the wrong caps on the wrong rods; I noticed what I had done before I went any further, but even when fitted like that, every single big end was still free turning - that's precision machining for you! The worst Twincam a customer ever brought to me to check over was "freshly rebuilt". The head gasket was smaller than the bores so the pistons were hitting it, it had inner valve springs only fitted. There were no valve spring seats, each combustion chamber was a completely different size and shape, and what appeared to be badly cut valve seats was actually leaks AROUND the outside of the valve seat inserts. There are a lot of dodgy operators in this business. I also once encountered a "freshly rebuilt" Vauxhall 2.3 engine that turned out to be nothing more than a paint job on a knackered lump. The owner went to visit the vendor and got his money back quite easily because he took some of his "acquaintances" from the East End of London with him.
Race engines can be a dodgy situation- when we were building them, we had a couple guys fail to clean out the lines and oil coolers after a failure, and some careless folks dragging the lines across the floor, picking up dirt etc. We always made sure that the oil filter was the last thing in the circuit before the oil went into the block.
That looks like a vegan tune oil pickup pipe they were prone to failure at the brazed joint to pipe.usually ended up with oil starvation as the outer ring sat on the sump floor. when you fitted them there had to be one 1/8 inch gap between sump floor and outer ring of pick up pipe .idea was it limited oil surge with the baffles welded in around the pickup
occasionnal oil starvation due to the can sitting on the bottom of the sump: that sounds more likely as a source of the problem than sucking air imho... That is why there should be an low pressure oil warning light on a race car... the lack on context in the present case does not help diagnosing from photos.
Good day, about the lotus engine, I had the same spec, Europa, race build and a similar list of parts. Oiling was always a serious issue. I don’t know what the contraption in the pan was, we used stock p/u but had a trick pan. QED we’re my parts supplier, and are very knowledgeable. Any question, reach out. I know there was a problem a few years back with oil pumps failing from new. Love the channel, I started watching bc of the bd blocks. Great to see quality machine shop.
Yep, you're right Lee, the big ends are designed to have the upper with a oil hole and the lower not. Someone has put them in wrong. However having said that, if the rods used do not have the gudgeon lube hole in them (i.e. they have a squirter in the bottom of the cylinder as you do on other engines) then it would not matter too much I reckon. Just non-standard work. Most shops would know this. Tis likely the broken amateur made pickup has sucked air like a long continuous turn on a circuit race or a rally car. Other crank pins look marked as well, but No 1 is closest to the pump. I would like to know how this engine is used, and if they have a low oil pressure light.
not quite more than the stock version : it is the strainer that has been modified, the tube itself (if properly fitting the block, proper length etc) would suck just like with a stock strainer, only with more bits as this one does not appear fitting very tightly...
Hi Lee, it’s John spoke to you late afternoon as mentioned someone’s using your channel saying you’ve one something that’s randomly drawn as I was not the first to mention as I was suspicious 🤨 And also mentioned my Land Rover 300 TDI engine out of my Discover as I wonted to know price for rebuilding it, many thanks 😊. This was an awesome video interesting stuff and was interesting to see those lush cars you spoke about as you had been invited all very interesting stuff keep up the good work thanks again
Hi nice video as usual, wonder what the inside of the oil pump looks like when or if you strip it for a look see on lotus block, the holes in the big end bearing line up with holes in con rod to spray under side of piston, on some older type engines,.someone must of fitted them not knowing this.
I've rebuilt engines where the big end shell had a hole in it, they were splash fed big ends. Oil squirted from a port in the block that lined with the big end, Con rod had a large cup cast into one side of it which was drilled through the rod to the big end shell. Hole lined up and fed the bearing. Primitive and effective. Teleydyne / Continental 4 cylinder fork truck engine 500 to 1200rpm. Also seen big diesel con rods drilled the full length to spray oil on the underside of the piston as cooling.
I love the Cosworth FVA, which powered one of the best looking racecars of all time - the Lotus 59, I also believe it was the engine in the car at the time Jim Clark was killed RIP .. It was also the basis for the Toyota 4AG and 3SG (They upped the stroke to a square 86 x 86 in the later to be true)
What way is the oil supplied to no 1 big end? Seems to me , if the main bearings are fitted at random as well, maybe no1 big end wasn't getting any oil? So great to hear the big ends called "big ends" and not "rod bearings" !
looks like the can could have been an attempt to avoid oils sloshing around in corners? Fuel tanks have it but they fit one way flaps to let liquid into collector, but not out again.
The CP pistons where ones we had done about 15 years ago. So it was probably built a while ago now. Haven't heard of people drilling the big ends for these before. Anyway we've got them (H/D big ends and rings). Cheers, Dunc at Thorntons
Originally from Birmingham but now live in Chicago. Just realised you are in Barnstable. I have a good friend that lives in Pilton. Next time I visit him could I stop by, FYI I'm an ex tool maker
Noticed that lotus engine has unions for an oil cooler, not trying to teach you to suck eggs but make sure your customer fits a new one once you’re done with engine.. guy I know did one on a esprit track car after engine span a bearing, engine lasted a few laps on its first outing.!
Check if the oil restrictor is fitted in the block face. No1 main feeds no1 big end but also feeds the jackshaft AND cams. Without the restrictor too much oil goes "up top " and no1 big end gets a lot less oil than the other big ends. I know this is a Twincam but the same applies to all Ford Crossflows.Not many people realise the standard crossflow has a restrictor in the rocker shaft itself by virtue of having a small hole in the shaft. If there`s any problems with oil supply it`s almost always No1 big end goes first because it simply gets less oil.
Normally a spun big end is from detonation, and the marks on the head also look like detonation. So too much compression for the octaine of the fuel that is being used.
I know guys who work at msport who do some seriously dodgy stuff I can’t even say as it’d be how does he know that I know a race engine builder who in a one make series will use a ring per piston less so the piston will move faster There’s so many dodgy tricks cutting corners you gotta hand it to em
one ring less (lower compression ring) is not that uncommon when increasing the rpm on a max effort engine. less friction. use to do it on racing 2 strokes.
It’s a forged steel crank. FIA legal. The new Ford Motorsport blocks come with cast square section caps, totally fine, it’s only the early caps that were prone to fail.
I have been following your rebuilding prosess and some other things. I was working for a welding shop in northern Alberta we were have a problem with one person saying one thing and not what we had sent out. So we started photographing everything it saved our butts more than once. Have a great day from central Alberta Canada
That rattley baked bean tin in the engine speaks volumes!
Lee. I used to work in the M/ort industry. In thr 80's you could by through Burtons a 'Jackshaft'. :This was a shortened Camshaft consisting of the front &: middle bearings and dizzy gear.: have also seen people run needle roller bearings on the distrinutor shaft instead of phosphur bronze bearings.
Lotus lump certainly should have had the big end bearings with the holes fitted in the rods, not the caps. That said, I'm not sure if those particular Arrow rods have squirt holes for the bores; if not, the bearings are fitted incorrectly but it really won't make much difference. Shame to see such fabulous rods overheated. I once took my brain out and fitted a set of Arrow rods with the wrong caps on the wrong rods; I noticed what I had done before I went any further, but even when fitted like that, every single big end was still free turning - that's precision machining for you!
The worst Twincam a customer ever brought to me to check over was "freshly rebuilt". The head gasket was smaller than the bores so the pistons were hitting it, it had inner valve springs only fitted. There were no valve spring seats, each combustion chamber was a completely different size and shape, and what appeared to be badly cut valve seats was actually leaks AROUND the outside of the valve seat inserts. There are a lot of dodgy operators in this business. I also once encountered a "freshly rebuilt" Vauxhall 2.3 engine that turned out to be nothing more than a paint job on a knackered lump. The owner went to visit the vendor and got his money back quite easily because he took some of his "acquaintances" from the East End of London with him.
Race engines can be a dodgy situation- when we were building them, we had a couple guys fail to clean out the lines and oil coolers after a failure, and some careless folks dragging the lines across the floor, picking up dirt etc. We always made sure that the oil filter was the last thing in the circuit before the oil went into the block.
Great video Lee. Glad you got out with the lads for a break. Have a Deluxe day!
That looks like a vegan tune oil pickup pipe they were prone to failure at the brazed joint to pipe.usually ended up with oil starvation as the outer ring sat on the sump floor. when you fitted them there had to be one 1/8 inch gap between sump floor and outer ring of pick up pipe .idea was it limited oil surge with the baffles welded in around the pickup
occasionnal oil starvation due to the can sitting on the bottom of the sump: that sounds more likely as a source of the problem than sucking air imho...
That is why there should be an low pressure oil warning light on a race car...
the lack on context in the present case does not help diagnosing from photos.
Good day, about the lotus engine, I had the same spec, Europa, race build and a similar list of parts. Oiling was always a serious issue. I don’t know what the contraption in the pan was, we used stock p/u but had a trick pan. QED we’re my parts supplier, and are very knowledgeable. Any question, reach out. I know there was a problem a few years back with oil pumps failing from new.
Love the channel, I started watching bc of the bd blocks. Great to see quality machine shop.
Yep, you're right Lee, the big ends are designed to have the upper with a oil hole and the lower not. Someone has put them in wrong. However having said that, if the rods used do not have the gudgeon lube hole in them (i.e. they have a squirter in the bottom of the cylinder as you do on other engines) then it would not matter too much I reckon. Just non-standard work. Most shops would know this. Tis likely the broken amateur made pickup has sucked air like a long continuous turn on a circuit race or a rally car. Other crank pins look marked as well, but No 1 is closest to the pump. I would like to know how this engine is used, and if they have a low oil pressure light.
The oil pick up would be sucking in more air than oil with that breakage, especially under hard cornering.
Bearing fitment looks odd as well.
not quite more than the stock version : it is the strainer that has been modified, the tube itself (if properly fitting the block, proper length etc) would suck just like with a stock strainer, only with more bits as this one does not appear fitting very tightly...
Hi Lee, it’s John spoke to you late afternoon as mentioned someone’s using your channel saying you’ve one something that’s randomly drawn as I was not the first to mention as I was suspicious 🤨
And also mentioned my Land Rover 300 TDI engine out of my Discover as I wonted to know price for rebuilding it, many thanks 😊.
This was an awesome video interesting stuff and was interesting to see those lush cars you spoke about as you had been invited all very interesting stuff keep up the good work thanks again
Hi nice video as usual, wonder what the inside of the oil pump looks like when or if you strip it for a look see on lotus block, the holes in the big end bearing line up with holes in con rod to spray under side of piston, on some older type engines,.someone must of fitted them not knowing this.
I've rebuilt engines where the big end shell had a hole in it, they were splash fed big ends. Oil squirted from a port in the block that lined with the big end, Con rod had a large cup cast into one side of it which was drilled through the rod to the big end shell. Hole lined up and fed the bearing. Primitive and effective. Teleydyne / Continental 4 cylinder fork truck engine 500 to 1200rpm. Also seen big diesel con rods drilled the full length to spray oil on the underside of the piston as cooling.
The pulley on the back of the lotus cam is, i believe for mechanical fuel injection (tekalmit or lucas).
The Europa heads use extended cams for an alternator drive.
I love the Cosworth FVA, which powered one of the best looking racecars of all time - the Lotus 59, I also believe it was the engine in the car at the time Jim Clark was killed RIP .. It was also the basis for the Toyota 4AG and 3SG (They upped the stroke to a square 86 x 86 in the later to be true)
Nice one Lee👍Are Razor blades on back order😃
What way is the oil supplied to no 1 big end? Seems to me , if the main bearings are fitted at random as well, maybe no1 big end wasn't getting any oil? So great to hear the big ends called "big ends" and not "rod bearings" !
looks like the can could have been an attempt to avoid oils sloshing around in corners? Fuel tanks have it but they fit one way flaps to let liquid into collector, but not out again.
The CP pistons where ones we had done about 15 years ago. So it was probably built a while ago now. Haven't heard of people drilling the big ends for these before. Anyway we've got them (H/D big ends and rings). Cheers, Dunc at Thorntons
Originally from Birmingham but now live in Chicago. Just realised you are in Barnstable. I have a good friend that lives in Pilton. Next time I visit him could I stop by, FYI I'm an ex tool maker
Great episode fella 👍👍
Shouldn't there be 1 shell with a hole in on each rod rather than 2 on 1 and 4. Plus the oil pickk up won't help. Great video's 👍 👌
If you can make ARP 2000 rod bolts fail, the rod bolts were not the problem. More than adequate in a 285bhp BDG that uses basically the same rod.
engine is for a Lotus Europa, hence the cam mod to drive the alternator. shame about that spun bearing !
wish I could get my engine done by you guys but wrong country 😅😆
Had the same on my Ducati 1098 spun my bearing spring broke when straight into the conrod ..
Any chance of a video with customers who want to show off their build??
Noticed that lotus engine has unions for an oil cooler, not trying to teach you to suck eggs but make sure your customer fits a new one once you’re done with engine.. guy I know did one on a esprit track car after engine span a bearing, engine lasted a few laps on its first outing.!
That engines out of a Europa.
Europa is cool but a love/hate car for me. Love the front half, hate the back half.
Check if the oil restrictor is fitted in the block face. No1 main feeds no1 big end but also feeds the jackshaft AND cams. Without the restrictor too much oil goes "up top " and no1 big end gets a lot less oil than the other big ends. I know this is a Twincam but the same applies to all Ford Crossflows.Not many people realise the standard crossflow has a restrictor in the rocker shaft itself by virtue of having a small hole in the shaft. If there`s any problems with oil supply it`s almost always No1 big end goes first because it simply gets less oil.
They don’t have a restrictor from the factory, common mod in a race twin cam if you know what your doing.
Normally a spun big end is from detonation, and the marks on the head also look like detonation. So too much compression for the octaine of the fuel that is being used.
You need to get a private plate on the van something like BA--RUM or BA--ENG
Frankenstein’s oil strainer!
Lee, great content but wish you'd make longer vlogs!
How do you measure the cam lobes.
LOTUS stands for Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious . I believe Jeremy Clarkson said this. Rgds Don Codman
Always one predictable comment...Yawn. How about 'Lots of trophies unmistakably serious'?
Great video 👍 McLaren rubbish reliability ask TH-camr Hoovie .
Bearing's definitely fitted wrong looks like a Friday afternoon Job
Sausage rolls looked a bit scored. Maybe the wrong oil.
Dun a lot of them the hole on big end goes on con rod to oil piston
So if we want a discount bring a buffet for you and the lads
which engine is it hope it is not the 1800 only joking thanks for the video
Why have you got what looks like an earth lead on an engine block ?
Odear who fitted the shell wrong.big mistake.i like the oil pick up pipe.i want that for my musiem. Kevin.
Porsche 911 (992 variant) turbo S. 640 bhp/590 ft-lb torque. A super car daily driver?
7:36 I think he mispronounced Transit..
So who won on the driving simulator ? did Lee get owned 🤣
I know guys who work at msport who do some seriously dodgy stuff I can’t even say as it’d be how does he know that
I know a race engine builder who in a one make series will use a ring per piston less so the piston will move faster
There’s so many dodgy tricks cutting corners you gotta hand it to em
one ring less (lower compression ring) is not that uncommon when increasing the rpm on a max effort engine. less friction. use to do it on racing 2 strokes.
who on earth chose the music, camera content's great though.
If its used for racing it should have steel main caps and steel crank.
I noticed that too, cast crank and mains caps.
It’s a forged steel crank. FIA legal. The new Ford Motorsport blocks come with cast square section caps, totally fine, it’s only the early caps that were prone to fail.
Cast square caps are good for 9000RPM
Whoever constructed that oil pickup should quit automobile mechanics and take up stamp collecting!
Some salad dodging going on there.
before you by a car.. "do a service and some engine work" on one first.. se if it is worth the hassle. they SUCK to work on!