WANTED: 912 engine

[GerardJPC]

Hello all

If anyone has or knows of a 912 engine that has below 100,000 miles on it and is for sale, please let me know.  Many thanks.

This is for an Eclat Series Two project.

[RivieraSte]

I would not neccessarily assume that below 100k means it will be good. Ive just torn apart my 86k s2.2 eclat riviera's 912 engine and it was most definitely in need of a rebuild. Every bearing down to the copper.

 

Another thing to bear in mind is that the 912 came in different forms. The engine block casting is different from say a 912 HC from a late excel. The engine mounts are different.

If thats not the case and that youre just trying to find a 912 because yours is missing, for example, then please ignore me!

 

Ive come to the conclusion my best bet is to find the 3k or so needed to rebuild my original engine

[andydclements]

 I'd agree with @RivieraSte to not bother other the mileage. If buying an engine used, then it's an unknown thing and you either use it as-is and find out the condition, or tear it apart and refurbish as required, where a poorly-maintained 50k example may be a lot worse than a well-maintained 100k+ example. Once the engine's apart, worn main bearings that are just within limits Vs ones that are outside limits, well, it's not generally a difficult question of whether they are to be replaced just because there's a few miles left in them, ditto all the other components that wear. So if you strip the engine, chances are there will be a big pile of bits replaced because it made sense to do it while it's apart.

[Grizzly]

Warning - also check that the engine you have or are thinking of getting is not one that requires the +15 thou big end shells as the shells are no longer available are no longer available. 

I got caught out by this and had to source a new block and crank carrier!!!

[RivieraSte]

Interesting. What identifies it as one of those engines? Do you have a range of engine numbers?

[EXCEL V8]

I believe new shells are now available again for these over-bored blocks.

Pete

[Grizzly]

What identifies it as one of those engines?

How to identify +15thou engine is given in the Service Notes.

To be certain the engine has to be dismantled. +15 is stamped on the 4th or 5th main bearing cap. You can also check by measuring the bearing bore diameter.

If you're lucky 15 may be stamped on the block in the region of the engine number

I'm not aware that Lotus listed the engine numbers affected

[drdoom]

One more area of concern has been the thrust bearing durability, at least in the earliest engines so not necessarily relevant in the case of a 912. Something to watch in any case.

Cheers 

[JerryS]

On 03/12/2020 at 16:55, Grizzly said:

+15 is stamped on the 4th or 5th main bearing cap.

If you're lucky 15 may be stamped on the block in the region of the engine number