1/2 of a 850 LeMans engine ?

[Turin]

(* I picked this stash over 4 years ago, so a lot of stuff has been traded off and given / donated.)
When I picked up my Lemans SE racer project, part of the deal was that I take ALL of the Guzzi stuff. Three ford escape loads. Rusty eldo fenders, EV1100 crash bars, T-3 Convert tanks windjammer mounts etc.
With all the crap, I got a complete SP1000/G5 engine minus the carbs, The original Lemans 1000 SE engine sans heads (those are on the racer), an empty engine case, and this.






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I noticed this piston had a dome on it while I was putting up the used barrels and pistons from my 850T.
Is this a 850 Lemans engine? If I remember correctly, Dave said it came from a race bike. ( maybe it crashed that's why the head and cylinder are missing? ) there is a EPA decal ( the company that used to make the 2-1 exhaust found on the Dr. John Race bike) on the 1 remaining valve cover.
The #s don't jive with the book I have.

[Dukedesmo]

Someone more knowledgeable will confirm, but I'm fairly certain LeMans engine nos. start with VE.


That being the case, it looks to be from a bike older than '79 (the number is 'older' than my LM2). 

[earemike]

I’ve seen some pretty average stamping, lm 1/2 for sure

[jwinwi]

Didn't 850 LeMans heads have 6 mm threads for intake manifold attachment?

[larrys]

What size is the intake port on the remaining head?
Larry

[wirespokes]

Wow - what a haul!

Can't help with the identification, but do you want to sell the EV1100 crash bars?

[RinkRat II]

 Turin,
  Depending how tall the dome is will help identify the engine. Also the width's of the compression and oil rings. and of course diameter of the piston. Hope this helps.

      Paul B

   Upon further checking VE designation is le mans I and II with the later version have plated cyls instead of iron.
                                       VF                     is lemans III

[Turin]

The dome is much taller than what you would find on an 850 T-3 also 83mm bore. That's what caught my eye when I was putting away my old 850T pistons. I thought it might be an eldo block. I guess I could pull the head, but considering where this came from, who knows what was put together. None of this horde was treated with any iota of reverence.

[RinkRat II]

 The tallest dome of that lemans series is .389" but the 850 would be .178"

          Paul B

[Turin]

Pulled the remaining cylinder head. Pretty sure the head is small valve. The cylinder bore is 83mm with a liner.


 






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[PeteS]

The piston looks like the one I took out my '76 LeMans. My serial number does begin with VE but its more than 100 higher. Even if the 1000s started with VF I wouldn't think they would start the numbers over again with 074xxx. My vote its an early 850 LeMans with half stamped VIN.

Pete

[Roy gardner]

Piston; pretty confident it is LeMans, I have some like that, including 84mm, (+.020" OS)
Barrel; definitely not LM, it has had the iron sleeve fitted where the chrome was bored out. LM barrels have the iron skirt to the bottom.
Cases; maybe badly stamped, what is the case throat diameter?

You had me excited for a minute, I thought you might have a replacement for my damaged LM head! I have one with damage from a piston ring having smashed its way around the combustion chamber. But no, yours is a RH, I need a LH, & you recon yours is a small valve, bummer!

Interestingly, I recently had the "LM has 6mm inlet thread" theory busted. I purchased a brand new RH head which has "big" (medium) RB LM valve seats, deep combustion chamber, and bigger than standard LM inlet tract, but M8 inlet stub threads! I cant track it's origin, but would like a LH to match, or any LH LM head.

[Turin]

Case wasn't bored. I measured 3.7". Diameter of sleeved cylinder matches a nos T3 barrel and the two chrome 850T barrels that I recently replaced.
If this is a lemans engine, then I'd like it to go back with its original frame. If that's not around, maybe a lemans that has an incorrect motor.
I don't see myself doing any kind of project with this, especially after the 4 years it took to do the lemans se.

[5154guzzi]

Turin, 
   The roundfin stud pattern of the VE LeMans 850 is smaller than that of the squarefin VF prefix ( 850 LeMans III ) pattern.  You have a 850 roundfin Lemans case or those cylinders and heads wouldn`t fit.

[Turin]

Yeah, I've got no intention of putting any heads in this. Might make a coffee table out of it.

[Roy gardner]

Here is my LM II 1979?? case marked remarkably similar. Barrel throat measures 3.7" or 94mm. Spada cases measure 3.74" 95mm.

Mine will get 88mm cylinders with  the correct high dome slugs then a Convert cam ground to B10 spec to drive a Convert trans.  Yours will look lovely in the lounge with a glass top on it   

[Turin]

opened up the timing cover and found this.




Found out this is from a 77 Lemans that was raced locally. there is some kind of cam in it, andit had a lightened flywheel which I swiped and slapped on my 850T 

[lucky phil]

opened up the timing cover and found this.




Found out this is from a 77 Lemans that was raced locally. there is some kind of cam in it, andit had a lightened flywheel which I swiped and slapped on my 850T 

Yep, needed on a 4 stroke or they don't run.

Ciao

[jacksonracingcomau]

opened up the timing cover and found this.




Found out this is from a 77 Lemans that was raced locally. there is some kind of cam in it, andit had a lightened flywheel which I swiped and slapped on my 850T 

Avoiding contention
If you don’t want them, pm me

[Desmo]

There were lots of early Le Mans 850 motors that should read VE the were stamped POORLY and looked like VF  The lower part of the E could be seen under close inspection.

[Turin]

Had a buddy verify, It's a 77 lemans motor. I'm going to build the sucker as a back up.  I have a set of NOS ASSO pistons and some really nice original barrels. Going to modify a set of small valve heads.