Hey guys, I've got the standard 1600 twin port engine out of my camper, with gearbox attached. to be honest im not really that well informed when it comes to taking an engine apart, never done it before, but Im pretty mechanically competent with everthing else. my question is... do I learn by doing and re-vamp the engine myself? or send it away and have it done professionally? The engine & gearbox came with my van, I was told it worked fine and i have receipts from 2008 that say it has been removed from the van and had work on it etc. (cant remember the exact details) the thing is i dont want to take it all apart and then put it back together and it not work. then have to pay more to get it fixed properly. whats everyones opinions? Carl.
well it might be broke.. ive never driven it. but it looks like that.. and im doing a full resto on the van, so dont really want to restore the bus and stick this old thing in it.
engines are like women, run them til they break, if you can fix them then do so, but if you can afford to, get a new one. mrs roo is gonna kill me, luckily i heard malc say this and copied it, i don't think it's true at all.
Get it running and then decide if it needs doing. Theyre fairly bomb-proof these old engines so dont just assume it'll be a lemon. Theres a world of difference between tarting it up a bit and re-building it.
yeah ok ill start her up first to see if anythings wrong. im planning on stripping off the easy bits and giving them a lick of paint etc, anyone know the best way to clean up the casing etc? and the basic parts to spruce up the old beast? im thinking new distributor cap and leands, new crank pulley, dipstick, oil filler cap, rocker covers etc. anything else i could do? the carbs really filthy, any good way of cleaning this? carb cleaner on a toothbrush? as you can tell im not too clued up on engines. managed to get it out, thats about it haha. cheers, Carl.
if it runs ok dont worry about stripping it down. drop it out repaint the tinware or get it powder coated, tbh i would keep the original pulleys just give them a spray up. mine looked like that buf a can of Satin black soon had it looking smart A bit of metal polish on the distributor and alternator stand works wonders. oh and some silver spray on the manifold and engine block. while its out you could do the valve clearances. rear main seal and push rod seals if it make you feel better.
I have just had my 1600tp reworked due to a head being knackered. I had 2 new heads, pistons, barrels, rocker covers, sills etc etc what ever it takes to sort when stripped. I paid an engine company to do it as I know about engines but nothing of rebuilding one. I also didnt want it spanking clean, weird I know but I like a used look. This is mine now Excuse the filler dust, I need to hoover and wipe the tinware I say, service it, run it until it dies then 1776cc it
