And stay away from them Brazillian new ones, seems a great idea, but not in reality, possibly because they’re newer and more improved in Brazil. Ozziedog,,,,,,,,, Oh,,, and how does I know???
i have a bottom end you can have for free if you want, came out my own van b4 i converted to a 2.0l, you need heads, barrels and pistons?
I don't really know. As I said earlier I ran him up slow after initial starting, got him to idle nicely, drove him up to the storage yard office which is about 400 yds, left him running there for a few minutes whilst I washed off the windscreen jumped back in & off I went home (google reckons 13 miles). Parked up & cut the engine, I then started him again to test battery charge- no problem still idling nicely so turned him off & fitted a new clock, radio & bulkhead trim. Once finished (2 hours-ish) I started him again to charge the battery, this time I revved him quite hard but not overly hard & thats when it stopped with a squeak & locked up. Starter motor bendix comes in with a clunk now but the bottom pulley is stuck solid & if I pry at it anymore I will damage something!
That's grim. If it's any consolation, exactly the same happened to my exchange Vege when it was at the restorers. Just suddenly seized solid. I never found out why.
Sounds like you'll never have any confidence in that engine, even if you find it only needs a part rebuild - always listening out for taps and rattles and rough running spoils the whole ownership experience. I don't think £2,500 sounds too much for a complete engine replacement- assuming that's a full dropping and fitting service? If I was sure of keeping it then that's the way I'd go.
Plan of action! Van is being lifted tomorrow at 9.30 to be transported to the shop. I will drop the engine as soon as it is unloaded, get it on the engine stand & if my gaffer is up for it I will strip it down to the block to see what's up. @gary gizamo has kindly (beyond words really, thank you Gary) offered a replacement block which I can have collected tomorrow lunch time (a mate is working in Southampton just by chance, woop-woop!). Then build up begins again, if all is well with the replacement job should be a good 'un! Fingers crossed!
Progress so far is this :- Van arrived at the workshop at 11.00am. Engine out by around 12.00pm. He is stripped to the block & is as solid as a rock (my new catchphrase) so we think it has nipped up on the back bearing!! Possibly due to low oil pressure or more likely due to repeatedly shoddy (this is polite) workmanship from The Engine Shop! I think I will ring them tomorrow, not to complain but to let them know they are a complete set of chancers. I will probably take pleasure in it. However the donated block arrived mid afternoon so I have begun build-up as all the ancilliary stuff heads etc are fine. I have fitted the pistons, barrels & heads which just need torquing. Replaced the oil cooler, dizzy, flywheel, clutch & fuel pump. I need to fit rockers & set tappets, deep sump, rocker covers, heat exchangers, manifold, carb, fan housing, exhaust & tinware & should be ready to start him. running by weekend & if all is good, engine back in. I am well chuffed!
After a week (2hrs a night) of fitting, checking & re-fitting, Victor's engine is fully built up. I went in today & set the tappets, fit the moustache bar, tidyed up the tinware & wired up the coil. We have run him on the engine stand & he starts quite readily! Hurrah! Victor lives to fight another day! Bit of a flat spot which is a mystery as it wasn't there before so I whipped off the carb & gave it a clean. Time had beaten me at this point so I will go in Monday & re-set the tappets on the stand then fire the engine back in! Phew just in time for camping season!
dropped a valve well valve guide he came back down and fitted two new heads for me free cant fault his work it went on to be the best and fastest bay in the vilarge
I had same problem with Paul and I was paying for a fully fitted service! 4 rebuilds later I just asked for my money back and stuck a scooby engine in. ASAP is certainly not something Paul knows, deadlines always came & went.
He doesn’t really come on here anymore. I think his words were he’s so busy he doesn’t need to ‘advertise’. @paradox & @PeaSoup have a few good stories to tell as well.