The Lotus Grand Tourers

Anyone know a source in the UK for a Flennor FS03299 cam-belt tensioner bearing?

Edit:
Found an ebay listing from Italy but can't tell how to get that in English:
https://www.ebay.it/itm/FLENNOR-Spannro ... 568103340f

Google translate will do some of it, but not all. It says it's for a Transit (which I assume was the York engine), so it's the one.
Just need to go to the "Spedizione e pagamenti" (postage) tab and request postage costs to Regno Unito (UK) so it's 16 euro delivery + 5.00 euro = 21.99 euro

Another option
https://www.hendersonbearings.co.uk/414 ... utral.html

A quick consultation with Dr. Google suggests the following compatible parts:

SKF : VKM14300, AUTEX : 641786, AUTOKIT : 03.021, AUTOTEAM : A00084, BREDA LORETT : TDI1656, BRT Bearings : PBT8264, CALIBER : 06261, CONTITECH : V55207, DYNAMATRIX : DT14300, FLENNOR : FS03299, GATES : T41149, INA : 531 0098 20, IPD : 14-0781, KM International : FI0210, LPR : AA10031, LUCAS ENGINE DRIVE : LD0081, OPTIBELT : 326UT, PROCODIS FRANCE : GT312, QUINTON HAZELL : QTT156, REPKIT : RKT1025, RUVILLE : 55207, SNR : GT352.00, TECHNOX : TD11120, TREVI AUTOMOTIVE : TD1181, VAICO : V25-0332, VEMA : 65013620, WILMINK GROUP : WG1252122, FORD : 1500004, AUTOKIT : 03021, INA : 531009820

AndyC wrote:Google translate will do some of it, but not all. It says it's for a Transit (which I assume was the York engine), so it's the one.
Just need to go to the "Spedizione e pagamenti" (postage) tab and request postage costs to Regno Unito (UK) so it's 16 euro delivery + 5.00 euro = 21.99 euro

Another option
https://www.hendersonbearings.co.uk/414 ... utral.html

Just tried them but Chinese made brand-neutral.

AndyC wrote:Google translate will do some of it, but not all. It says it's for a Transit (which I assume was the York engine), so it's the one.
Just need to go to the "Spedizione e pagamenti" (postage) tab and request postage costs to Regno Unito (UK) so it's 16 euro delivery + 5.00 euro = 21.99 euro
...

Can't seem to find anything that resembles a Buy Now button to actually buy one of these.

Just wondering on quality offered with so many alternatives ?

Here is the difference between ball joints



ps photo bucket seem to have buckled

amarshall wrote:A quick consultation with Dr. Google suggests the following compatible parts:

SKF : VKM14300, AUTEX : 641786, AUTOKIT : 03.021, AUTOTEAM : A00084, BREDA LORETT : TDI1656, BRT Bearings : PBT8264, CALIBER : 06261, CONTITECH : V55207, DYNAMATRIX : DT14300, FLENNOR : FS03299, GATES : T41149, INA : 531 0098 20, IPD : 14-0781, KM International : FI0210, LPR : AA10031, LUCAS ENGINE DRIVE : LD0081, OPTIBELT : 326UT, PROCODIS FRANCE : GT312, QUINTON HAZELL : QTT156, REPKIT : RKT1025, RUVILLE : 55207, SNR : GT352.00, TECHNOX : TD11120, TREVI AUTOMOTIVE : TD1181, VAICO : V25-0332, VEMA : 65013620, WILMINK GROUP : WG1252122, FORD : 1500004, AUTOKIT : 03021, INA : 531009820

Very helpful, thanks Angus.

Not all bearings are created equal. And since the 9XX is an interference engine, and expensive to rebuild, you should go out of your way to be selective about tensioner bearings. The fact that a bearing appears on some internet cross-reference list should not be taken as an endorsement. I've received some tensioner bearings that were crap right out of the box... mostly 'no name' brands from China. The Chinese 'Blue Bird' brand comes to mind first (it has blue seals). Pure crap! It's inappropriate for any job more demanding than 'paperweight'. Don't buy it. Don't use it.

The Flennor bearing has become popular with 9XX owners, mostly due to forum conversations such as this. I know JAE now sells it, primarily because of it's forum popularity... probably other Lotus specialists as well.

My personal favorite is the SKF 414871A. If I don't specify it when I order from JAE, then their default tensioner bearing is the Flennor. But if I remember to ask for the SKF, they also stock it and can provide it for a little higher price. So, 'ask' your favorite Lotus specialist. To me, the timing belt and it's tensioner bearing are not parts on a 9XX where you should try to save/ go cheap. I sleep better with that SKF bearing in place.

SKF's VKM 14300 is also listed in many cross-references. I've never used it, and I have no idea why SKF has two part numbers for the same bearing size. There must be something different in the load rating, temperature rating, or service grade, but I don't know. Its sibling, the SKF 414871A, was the bearing Lotus originally used, it's premium quality, and I continue to use it.

For my 9XX engines, I use the SKF 414871A exclusively.
I'll install the Flennor for local Lotus club members if that's what they buy.
414871A . . . . SKF. . . . . Excellent quality, strongly recommended
FS03299 . . . . Flennor . . Now JAE's default, but they also sell the SKF 414871A

I haven't purchased/ used any of the following, but I wouldn't avoid them:
VKM 14300 . . SKF . . . . . ?? In general, SKF is a quality brand.
531 0098 20. . INA . . . . . In general, INA is a quality brand.
1500004 . . . . Ford . . . . 1977-1986 Ford Transit Van
TKR 9841 . . . Timken. . . Timken used to be a favorite, but all their production is now in China... just sayin'.

Regards,
Tim Engel

Thanks Tim, great summary of current HTD timing belt knowledge.

Personally I would have liked to use a Flennor FS03299 but absoultely no one in the UK sells these.

Have asked SKF what the difference is between the VKM 14300 & 414871A, they are looking into it.

Still no further reply from SKF regarding the difference between these two bearings. However my VKM 14300 has now arrived and certainly appears to be the same dimensions as the old bearing. According to the box it was made by SKF in Italy.