How do you know which engine you have?

[Bagpussawake]

Hi,

I'm a new member to the forum and am looking at an Excel tomorrow evening. The owner has said that it is an SE but it has the 160bhp engine. It's a late 1985 car so right on the point where the SE appeared.

Does anyone know if there is an easy way to tell by looking at the engine whether it is the LC 160bhp one or the HC 180bhp one?

Are there any other differences I can look for to confirm whether it is actually and SE?

About the only thing I've found to look for other than the engine is the tyre size is different....

Thanks for any info!

[malcolm]

Normaly red cam covers are HC, black are LC.

[AndyC]

Most things that differentiate the two can be altered, as noted cam covers are a good start (but can be altered), also look for the small green valve that is in the inlet manifold it controls the vacuum to the disssy, SE had these earlier LCs didn't AFAIK (but doesn't mean you could not fit an HC manifold on an LC engine).

Ideally check engine number and ask the factory (they an archive section who will get build dat afor you , for a small fee).

[mds666]

your info on diffrent tyre size is incorect/ inaccurate mate

everything with 15" wheels came from lotus with 215/50/15's but alot (probably most) of people who use there cars alot are/have switched to 205/50/15's (but that is a subject already well covered) any car pre 85MY came with 14" wheels which are easily spottable...

engine number notably the first two letters will tell you what engine you have, most easy thing to spot is the presance of vacume tubes on the carbs, only fitted to 86MY on se's.

if all elese fails post a link to some picks and im sure most of us will be able to help...

[BillB]

The second character of the engine number should tell you.

See http://www.lotusexcel.net/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=1609

Regards
Bill

[Bagpussawake]

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the replies, I got a load of VIN information as well from a link in the thread that BillB posted, much happier now!

I'm looking at the car this evening. The worst thing about it that I know of is the timing belt is overdue a change (on time, almost 6 years, rather than mileage <18,000).
That didn't seem unreasonable to me until I found this forum and searched for timing belt threads, now I'm not keen to even test drive it until that's done...

It has had a new radiator, water pump, petrol pump, clutch, brake disks, headlining, carbs refurbished and a few other things over the last 6 years so money has been spent on it.

I'll let you know how it goes tonight, probably with some more newbie questions if I can't find the answers by searching

[BillB]

Good luck with the belt, check it carefully before driving - but it's the owner's problem till you pay out.

Mine had been on for 11 years and didn't fail during the test drive or the drive home but the half inch split I found when I took the cover off scared me enough to change it immediately.

Regards
Bill

[Bagpussawake]

BillB Said: Mine had been on for 11 years and didn't fail during the test drive or the drive home but the half inch split I found when I took the cover off scared me enough to change it immediately.

That's what scares me about out of date timing belts


I saw the car last night and was taken for a run in it.

It looks fabulous from the outside, no cracks, wheels close to immaculate. Mechanically loads has been done, the engine bay looks clean and well cared for.

The owner has a really neatly organised history file with loads of receipts for the work he's done (mainly mechanical).

The interior is pretty worn but as that doesn't stop the car being used I think I'm going to go for it

I'm seeing it again on Friday to drive it myself and if all goes well I should be adding a model and year number to my profile!

[irishwolfhound]

if its a gates belt rather than a lotus oem ypu should be ok on time as the gates belts are to the higher cali specs, just get it changed asap