New engine time.

[DaveEFI]

My SD1 EFI engine is getting to the point where it needs an overhaul. Goes OK, but oil consumption is high, and lots of leaks, mainly because of piston blow by.

Ages ago i bough a complete 3.9 off Ebay - said to be good, but plenty wear when checked.

So what I intend doing is to have it re-bored and the crank ground (if needed)
I'd like as least as high a CR as the SD1 which is 9.75:1

My idea is to deliver the block etc to a suitable engine place who will then produce a re-con short engine. I'll then swap the SD1 bits off my engine, including the Stage 1 heads.

Any recommendation for a decent place not too far from London? I'd rather deliver and pick up than rely on a carrier.

[ratwing]

FWIW I used Turner Engineering for my 4.6 exchange top hat block/crank/rods/pistons assembly and a year later, no problems so far.

[ChrisJC]

Turners do top quality work - for a top price.

They have done the engine block in my Range Rover, which hasn't given any issues so far.

Chris.

[DaveEFI]

I've just looked at their site. £2595 for a short engine is far more than I'm prepared to pay.

Perhaps I'll do better looking for a machine shop just to do the re-bore etc and assemble myself. There used to be several places round here I used in the past - all now closed.

[SimpleSimon]

Not used them for years Dave but were mustard on my my fast Fords and friends machining years ago, always carried out nice lightening and balancing jobs too 2 brothers as I remember, Dave was one of them not far from you either http://baldyneengineering.co.uk/engine- ... ng/3102526

[DaveEFI]

Not used them for years Dave but were mustard on my my fast Fords and friends machining years ago, always carried out nice lightening and balancing jobs too 2 brothers as I remember, Dave was one of them not far from you either http://baldyneengineering.co.uk/engine- ... ng/3102526

Just had a reply to my email. To re-bore, crank grind and supply new pistons and bearings, and assemble crank roads and pistons only to the block, approx £600. Which sounds a fair price to me?

(I'd like it assembled, as I've never fitted new pistons to the rods on an RV8)

Now remembering. The last engine I wore out to the point of needing a full overhaul was the 1800 B series in an Austin 1800. In the '70s. That machine work was done by Prince Engineering in Kingston on Thames.

[DaveEFI]

Just out of interest when looking at websites, one said that if re-boring an RV8, the camshaft bearings would have to be replaced too. Anyone know what that was about?

[garrycol]

I think that if the engine has had enough wear to require reboring or relinering, then crank bearings etc will also be worn out - ergo the cam shaft bearings will be also be very worn - given what you have described as to the age of your engine then that is a reasonable assumption and your engine builder should be able to do it for minimal extra cost while he has your block.

Garry

[Eliot]

Would be madness not to change them at the same time - wont add much cost.

[DaveEFI]

That would make sense, but they didn't say that in plain English. Think they also said they had to be replaced if just honing was needed. I sort of read it as the cam bearings would be damaged by the processes involved, so had to be replaced. Which seemed odd to me.

Other sites I've been to don't seem to say this.

But I'll likely have them replaced anyway, so was just curious.

[garrycol]

The 4.6 I recently build was a low km engine and only needed the bores honed and the crank polished - discussed the cam bearings and not needed for that level of use - full rebuild yes - a touchup no.

Good luck with it.

Garry