Ford Lotus Twin Cam 8v Tuning Guide

Ford Lotus Twin Cam 8v Engine

The stuff legends are made of, the Lotus TC was THE engine of the Sixties, especially in cars such as the Ford Mk1 Cortina plus the Anglia, which was the first road-type car, albeit in prototype form, to carry the motor. Images of Jim Clark belting round a race track cocking a front wheel go hand in hand with this unit.

There are basically two Ford-derived Twinks, the Mk1 introduced in the Mk1 Cortina in 1963, and MkII, which was fitted in the MkII Cortina Lotus from March 1967 - this version was also fitted to the 1968 Escort Twin Cam. This is actually the better engine since it has a purpose-cast Lotus block (identified with a large L on the side but usually under an engine mount) as opposed to a mere graded Cortina 1500 block. As such, the engine was based on a Ford Pre-Crossflow with a Harry Mundy-designed, twin cam alloy head, with chain drive and eight valves.

Blocks were bored to 82.55mm from the Pre-Crossflow’s standard 80.96mm - hence the Mk2 having a thicker casting to more reliably carry the increased capacity that allowed 1558cc. These engines also had square mains caps - the same as 711M Crossflows, proper oil seals as opposed to the Mk1’s rope-type, plus, stronger 125E rods. The MkII engine also had sleeved tappet bores, better oil returns to the block, plus a 6-bolt flywheel fixing in the crank, which supersedes the earlier 4-bolt type.

In addition, you’ll also find a Twink in Lotus Elans and later Europas. Naturally, there were several versions of these too. The Special Equipment (S/E) with 115bhp was fitted to S2-S4’s, whilst the Elan Sprint received bigger valves (and has Big Valve on the rocker cover), higher compression, better cams and exhaust, resulting in 126bhp.

There is also a Stromberg - carbed engine, although most had a Weber DCOE type manifold cast into the head, which interchanges with the similar and occasionally fitted, Dellorto side draught.

Twinks do have a reputation for water pump failure but this is mostly due to the engine being left standing for long periods - the pump goes dry and rips the seal when it’s turned over. We have re-designed this area to incorporate a modular type water pump so that it’s easier to remove and replace. We also offer the water pump housing in two heights to suit standard or Crossflow based engines.

The latter is also a popular route for building a Twink since L-blocks are becoming scarce. In addition, the Crossflow block can be increased up to 1700cc obviously giving a performance increase too. We also stock the special spacing components required, for this conversion.

More power is reasonably straightforward with the engine responding well to head porting, cam change and 45DCOEs. A usable 140+bhp can be achieved with the right cams. Due to the age of most head castings, we would recommend getting the head checked over first to advise on how suitable it is for further improvements to be made. We stock a whole range of replacement and performance parts for this engine including forged pistons, steel cranks / rods, steel flywheels, camshafts, large valves, steel tappets and much more besides.

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  1. Crankshaft (used) 3020E 72.75mm Lotus Twin Cam 6 bolt (lip seal) FL324X
    £540.00 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £450.00

    Part Number: FL324X

    A used genuine Ford/Lotus 3020E crankshaft, later type for 6.... Learn More
    Available from Stock (while stock lasts)
  2. Burton Powerlead HT ignition spark plug lead set (black): Lotus Twin Cam 23D4 7mm BPL10BK
    £35.00 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £29.17

    Part Number: BPL10BK

    Available From Stock
  3. Edge gear reduction starter motor: Ford X\Flow OHV Kent 10T 1.4kw (135 tooth ring gear). Escort Mk1\Mk2, etc CF003\9H3-135T
    £329.95 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £274.96

    Part Number: CF003/9H3-135T

    Reduction geared, lightweight, high torque starter motor. De.... Learn More
    Available From Stock
  4. Scavenge pipe 5\8in for dry pump oil pump (circlip type) DSE003B
    £46.90 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £39.08

    Part Number: DSE003B

    To take 5/8" (16mm) hose Learn More
    Available From Stock
  5. Edelbrook electric fuel pump: 4.0-7.0 psi 17301
    £97.50 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £81.25

    Part Number: 17301

    A gravity fed type fuel pump with a simple 2 wire design. It.... Learn More
    Stock Lead Time Typically 4-7 days
  6. Edelbrook electric fuel pump: 2.0-3.5 psi 17303
    £95.95 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £79.96

    Part Number: 17303

    A gravity fed type fuel pump with a simple 2 wire design. It.... Learn More
    Available From Stock
  7. Samco black radiator water coolant silicone hose set (2 hoses): Ford Cortina Lotus Mk2 TCS-673\C(BLACK)
    £69.50 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £57.92

    Part Number: TCS-673/C(BLACK)

    Hand made from premium quality silicone rubber, SamcoSport h.... Learn More
    Available From Stock
  8. Samco classic black radiator water coolant silicone hose set (2 hoses): Ford Cortina Lotus Mk2 TCS-673\C(CLASSIC)
    £79.90 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £66.58

    Part Number: TCS-673/C(CLASSIC)

    Hand made from premium quality silicone rubber, SamcoSport h.... Learn More
    Available From Stock
  9. Simpson stainless exhaust manifold: Ford Escort Mk1 Lotus Twin Cam 4-2-1 SIMPM14
    £828.50 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £690.42

    Part Number: SIMPM14

    Simpson Race Exhausts specialise in the design and manufactu.... Learn More
    Stock Lead Time Typically 8-12 weeks
  10. Jenvey single cable Heritage throttle body linkage CLS3
    £189.95 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £158.29

    Part Number: CLS3

    A fully adjustable single cable linkage kit to fit Jenvey He.... Learn More
    Available From Stock
  11. Aldon Ignitor 2 electonic ignition conversion with black Flame Thrower II coil: Lucas 23\25D4 IGNKLU142A
    £372.00 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £310.00

    Part Number: IGNKLU142A

    The more powerful Ignitor II shares all the same features as.... Learn More
    Available From Stock
  12. Samco blue radiator water coolant silicone hose set (2 hoses): Ford Cortina Lotus Mk2 TCS-673\C
    £69.50 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £57.92

    Part Number: TCS-673/C

    Hand made from premium quality silicone rubber, SamcoSport h.... Learn More
    Available From Stock
  13. Arrow steel I section con rod set (FIA specification), 4.83" wide journal: Ford pre-X\Flow OHV Kent & Lotus Twin Cam ARROW222
    £1,555.00 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £1,295.83

    Part Number: ARROW222

    Arrow Precision steel con rods are found in almost every are.... Learn More
    Stock Lead Time Typically 1-3 days
  14. Simpson stainless exhaust manifold: Ford Cortina Mk1\2 Lotus Twin Cam 4-2-1 SIMPM13
    £828.50 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £690.42

    Part Number: SIMPM13

    Simpson Race Exhausts specialise in the desig.... Learn More
    Stock Overdue - contact sales
  15. Cometic multi-shim head gasket 0.027"\83mm, Ford X\Flow OHV Kent, pre-X\Flow, BDA & Lotus Twin Cam C4103-027
    £101.50 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £84.58

    Part Number: C4103-027

    .027" thick. A surface finish of 50 microinches or finer is .... Learn More
    Available From Stock
  16. Cometic multi-shim head gasket 0.036"\83mm, Ford X\Flow OHV Kent, pre-X\Flow, BDA & Lotus Twin Cam C4103-036
    £101.50 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £84.58

    Part Number: C4103-036

    .036" thick. A surface finish of 50 microinches or finer is .... Learn More
    Available From Stock
  17. Cometic multi-shim head gasket 0.066"\83mm, Ford X\Flow OHV Kent, pre-X\Flow, BDA & Lotus Twin Cam C4103-066
    £130.90 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £109.08

    Part Number: C4103-066

    .066" thick. A surface finish of 50 microinches or finer is .... Learn More
    Available From Stock
  18. Cometic multi-shim head gasket 0.075"\83mm, Ford X\Flow OHV Kent, pre-X\Flow, BDA & Lotus Twin Cam C4103-075
    £130.90 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £109.08

    Part Number: C4103-075

    .075" thick. A surface finish of 50 microinches or finer is .... Learn More
    Stock on order
  19. Cometic multi-shim head gasket 0.086"\83mm, Ford X\Flow OHV Kent, pre-X\Flow, BDA & Lotus Twin Cam C4103-086
    £140.50 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £117.08

    Part Number: C4103-086

    .086" thick. A surface finish of 50 microinches or finer is .... Learn More
    Available From Stock
  20. Cometic multi-shim head gasket 0.092"\83mm, Ford X\Flow OHV Kent, pre-X\Flow, BDA & Lotus Twin Cam C4103-092
    £140.50 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £117.08

    Part Number: C4103-092

    .092" thick. A surface finish of 50 microinches or finer is .... Learn More
    Available From Stock
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