Do Valves Hit Pistons?? IF a cambelt broke?

[LO 2 US]

As a new member on LEC and not currently having access to a Lotus Manual? ... and having not been able to find anything on this..

Can anyone advise if (in the event of a cambelt breakage): Do the valves on these Isuzu engines hit the pistons on a standard engine???

As a pessimistic olde engineering bod ....... It's a kind of "mode of failure" that I would like to know about the consequences of ..... "in advance"

With the Low Comp Ratio on this turbo-charged engine its seems an appropriate (Newbie) question to ask

I would rather have Duplex timing chains than these "rubber bands"!

[Brit-Car-Nut]

The Isuzu engine is indeed an "interference" design. If the belt breaks or slips, the valves and pistons will get together, it will be a disaster.

[epipete]

I would rather have Duplex timing chains than these "rubber bands"!

Is this a possibility, or just a flight of fancy?

[Brit-Car-Nut]

Wishful hoping, I believe. Chains would need to be inside the basic engine and would require lubrication.

I once got a chance to see the damage that occurred to a Jag XL150 that had a chain snap. Over $3,000.00 to fix it in 1975.

Belts are fine - if you install them correctly.

[nsr250]

The engine is listed as an interference engine but it's not. I had a crank pulley bolt snap on my Isuzu Impulse RS. Put on a new belt and the world was fine again !!

[HJ2]

Well whist i had mine apart, i could hand turn the cranc till a piston could touch a valve....
Interferring enough for me!

[LO 2 US]

Thanks everybody, I bought & picked up my car in late Oct last year and stored it immediately I got it "home" until I have time to work on it & change the cambelt..... which reflects my caution on cambelts... especially on a low mileage engine.

[Rambo]

Don't forget to do the cam belt tensioner, water pump and any other rubber belts whilst your in the area otherwise Sod's law will kick in

[HJ2]

[LO 2 US]

Thanks Rambo and HJ2....

yes I will be replacing the cambelt, water pump and tensioner...... I dont get much time on LEC but I will backtrack to I think Steph's "cambelt quest" (which unfortunately I only picked up on fleetingly the other day) re Rock Auto's in USA .... and these parts and their ref numbers to order....... does anyone know if they (Rock Auto's) are supplying O/E i.e. actual Isuzu parts??.

I have bought the Elan after several years of "browsing"..... and as a replacement for previous "hobby" cars, that I had sold..... its a real novelty having an "active" site like this

I have a growing "stock" of acquired service and re-commissioning parts (this car has previously been stored one whole lot.....).

Anyway, having had to squeeze the car into a crowded (non car stuff) garage...space is now slowly appearing around the car and I hope to be working on it in Feb..... I did try as one of you asked for a pic...but "file size was too big"

[Fredjohn]

: does anyone know if they (Rock Auto's) are supplying O/E i.e. actual Isuzu parts??.

Hi
Stef, myself and 2 others bought 4 sets together as it reduced shipping charge significantly. But to answer your question, no they are not OEM original. Belt, tensioner and idler are all Dayco, as is water pump if you go that route. Our water pump is Auto expert Pro-import: Cardone . Dayco are a reputable brand, no idea about pump!

See the original thread for part nos and choices viewtopic.php?f=29&t=21384&start=40
Posts 7 and 10 on page 3 show our original order, then amended and where we ended up

All parts arrived in UK within 2 weeks and mine are now sitting on my garage bench along with Stef's old front Wilwoods (ex Blipi) awaiting drier warmer weather to fit. Giving myself work to do.......

[ccb056]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_InB9F4Cwjo

fast forward to 0:35

looks to be an interference engine to me

[LO 2 US]

Thanks Everyone!