Stratos 4 cam bearings

[red4re]

I have a 1975 4 valve per cylinder Stratos engine in my '73 Dino 246GTS Ferrari and due to oil loss I need new cam block bearings. I don't know who manufactured these bearings. Stamped on the back of the shell is a triangle with a vertical line and what looks like an R. The part number is C2288 and 1692.

[Randle Roberts]

The cams don't run in bearings on the 4-valve engine unless its been modified somehow. The cams run in the aluminum cam towers with no bearings the same as a normal Dino engine. What caused the oil loss? Do you have a competition gearbox as well? Any pics of your engine?

[red4re]

This engine which I purchased from a shop in England does indeed have cam bearings. The engine parts were unused spares from the factory race effort. The oil loss was due to one of the cradles not being machined in alighment with the oil source. The cam bearings are damaged as well as two lobes on one cam.

[Randle Roberts]

It goes to show you never know it all! I almost bought a 4-valve set up in England over a decade ago but missed it. Joe Nash had a 3-valve motor for sale complete for about $12k way back then but I never looked it over while I was there. If you wish I could contact someone in Italy who may know where to get the cam bearings. They have delt with many 24-valve motors.

[red4re]

I've got one exhaust and one intake valve that is bent, from 4 valve/cylinder heads. I also need new oil valve stem seals. Who has parts for this engine?

[tryphon]

Several people:
Roberto Cassetta (info@lancia-stratos.com)
Udo Sparwald (info@sparwald.de)
Aldo Zanone (zsanna@tiscali.it)
and of course
Claudio Maglioli

[Randle Roberts]

I have a ton of valves for the 4-valve engine both new old stock and very nice used but I'm not sure if they are the same as for your engine as I my camshafts don't run in bearings. They are made by Zanzi and I got them from Maglioli. I could send you one if you want to compare them.

[red4re]

I measured my intake and exhaust valves. Intake: 33.55MM head, length from top of face to tip is 113.66mm, stem dia 7.06mm, valve is recessed underhead to 5.19mm stem diameter and is 33mm in length. Exhaust valves are: 29mm head dia, stem 7.06mm, length 114.55mm. Where can I order valve stem oil seals? Also head gaskets are needed and were not stock Ferrari. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you. John

[Randle Roberts]

I will measure my valves tonight and let you know. I am at a loss on the head gaskets as my engine uses the standard 246 head gasket. What is the difference? You use a standard Dino 246 block. Why wouldn't a stock gasket work? My mechanic in Italy has built several 24-valve motors and uses the stock head gaskets. I am leaving for a week tomorrow so will have to catch up when I get back.

[Randle Roberts]

Measured my valves tonight and they are slightly different than yours. Intake head diameter is 33.00mm and length is 111mm. Exhaust head is 29.43mm and 111mm length. These are measurements of very nice used valves. They say ZANZI 24 on the exhaust and ZANZI 34 on the intake.
Probably not correct for your engine. There are a lot of custom valve manufacturers who could make replacements for you. Are those 2-liter heads? Any marks on the cam covers? Mine say Dino on them. Do you have the cast iron block or aluminum?

[red4re]

The block is cast iron. The valve covers are magnesium and have Dino 246 on them. Do you know about special head gaskets and source of valve stem oil seals?

[Randle Roberts]

I think Ferrari quatro-valve valve stem seals were used on my 4-valve engine. I believe they also use a 7mm valve stem. Check with T-Rutlands they probably have some. I am at a loss on the head gasket. What is different from the stock gasket? Seems if you use the cast iron block all the holes for cylinders, studs, coolant, and oil would be the same. Did they O-ring the heads on your engine?