I doubt that this is the correct forum to post this in, so please feel free to move it somewhere more appropriate The situation is this. I've dismantled, cleaned and partially rebuilt my type 4 CJ engine. However, I'm struggling for time, enthusiasm and skills to get it back to being a reliable motor. I'm looking for someone in the South Leicester area (about 20 minutes away from Lutterworth/Techenders) with the skills, time and enthusiasm to get the job done. I'm happy to pay cash, provide as much tea as required, and help out as much as possible. All of the stripped parts are bagged and tagged, and lots of new parts have been purchased. The tinware has all been cleaned and painted ready. The carbs are still in one piece, but I'd be looking to rebuild those too. I have a double garage with lighting, heating and power, along with a reasonable selection of tools. I'd rather not try to pack it all up and ship it somewhere if I can avoid it. I'd just like the camper back on the road. Anyone fancy taking it on?
I’d be more concerned with ‘partially rebuilt’ and ‘lots of new parts have been purchased’ but I’m a long way from South Leicester anyway.
I completely stripped the engine down and cleaned it. I have since replaced the camshaft and fitted new bearings as the crank was still in good condition. The two case halves are back together. I now need to fit the new AA barrels and pistons, with the new AMC heads I bought
Regularly reading the Mech Tech section has made me question my abilities for checking tolerances, calculating the compression ratio, etc. I think I'd like someone who knows what they are doing
As regards the new parts, I've tried to buy the best quality available. Mainly from VW Heritage, but also Cool Air and the occasional non-critical part from JK (missing tinware, etc.) I've kept all the receipts
You’ve done the hard part – we can easily talk you through checking piston ring end and side gaps, deck height, CR etc, then you’ll know the engine has been built correctly. Or not.
Well that's the thing. I don't have a huge amount of time, which is why I'm seeking some assistance - preferably from someone who has done it before. It's taken me 2 years or more to get to this point, and Mrs Norris would like to go camping in her "baby"
This ^^^ My impression is you`re overthinking the build - the hard bit is done !! If you want all the tolerances checked just buy a few extra tools and crack on It`s really NOT rocket science , just a collection of nuts , bolts and metallic bits but you already know that . If an engine builder took it on he`d just strip it and start again so well worth batting on ...
That`s gotta be at least four months away - get in the garage or take it to a recommended builder and take out a second mortgage
Many professionals would just fit the pistons and barrels, bolt the heads on and call it job done, no need to check clearances or CR or any of that on a stock rebuild in reality. And 99% of the time that’s good enough, the 1% that goes wrong, well, they’ve never had a problem before. To do it properly just needs some time and a few tools, a torque wrench – presumably you have one if you’ve bolted the bottom end together – circlip pliers, a set of feeler gauges and a few spanners and with an hour or two each evening you’ll have the engine built by next weekend. And you would know it’s within tolerances. PS. I can help but it would be from here, not there.
Your just not into it anymore, are you. You just want it done and dusted. Yeah, know what you mean. ‘Nut and bolt work is simple, just dont do welding and spraying, as conditions have to be right.Shame I’m not closer, I could have helped you. It’s pretty simple with the correct tools. ‘Big boys meccano’.
It's a lack of spare time and a lack of confidence really. I'm kind of after a "build buddy" to advise & encourage me and make sure I don't do anything stupid
As above if you have all the bits you're just bolting it together, with a few bits measured to check. It's as complicated as you want it to be, if it's a stock re-build everything pretty much goes on without modification, some small adjustment. Here's only a message away and there's a lot of help, quite quickly usually. I'd never done it before until our oil sump nut sheared off, on my second now for another bus! It's a bit of a treck from Cheshire unfortunately!
I’d never done a t4. But had done a few t1s . I started most nights at about 10:15 and did about two /3 hours. It soon came together and didn’t interfere too much with family life. However I am hyperactive as recently diagnosed by the clinical psychologist at work so five hours sleep is not an issue. If it’s fear of failure just have a go. You can probably do it two or three times yourself for the cost of a pro.
Yey!... you'll be happy knowing what's been done.... get some pictures going.. I've just bolted up my case and set up for end play measurement. If you have the bits wont take long. Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk
