Top Hat liners

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 12:07 pm

I've got a 4.6 block which I am planning to rebuild.

My original intention was to go for top hat liners whilst I'm at it, then it's sorted.
However, RPi make quite a good case against:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Land-Range-Rover- ... 286.c0.m14
which of course they would as they are trying to flog their new blocks.
However it has sown a bit of doubt in my mind.

Has anybody had, or does anybody know of any bad experiences with top hat liners? Or are RPi laying it on a bit thick?

Thanks for any thoughts,

Chris.

Eliot · Post by **Eliot** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 1:10 pm

They do look like better blocks. Having said that they do like to lay it on thick. How many people have bought ignition amps, FPR's and mallory dual point dizzies from them.
2k would go a long way towards an early 5.7 LS1 - which in stock trim blows the rova out that water. (Camaro at the dyno day anyone?)

kiwicar · Post by **kiwicar** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 2:38 pm

2K would buy an iron block 5.3 Ls crate engine new and go along way to getting it imported.
Mike

Post by **katanaman** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 5:38 pm

Thats little more than an advert for their other services and has nothing to do with selling top hat liners. All the above arguments are valid but if you want to stick with Rover then the top hats do seem to work when done properly. They work pretty much in the same way as wet liners work and just about every motorcycle block you care to mention. Whether the block is ultimately as strong or not could be debatable but there are some big powerful engines out there with top hats in them.

RoverP6B · Post by **RoverP6B** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 9:07 pm

Hello Chris,

My 4.6 is fitted with top hat liners on all cylinders. This was undertaken 14 months ago and a little over 20,000km (12000 miles).

The business that undertook the engine build advised that they had not had a single engine fail in the usual manner once the top hat liners had been fitted.

My 4.6 runs beautifully, and I would certainly have no hesitation in having the same done again for any future projects.

Ron.

HairbearTE · Post by **HairbearTE** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 9:12 pm

Or are RPi laying it on a bit thick?

I do have time for RPI but this stance on top hats is a bit much. They ain't doing any harm in his 5.5, 96mm bore engined morgan are they? and then trying to knock 'em out for £42 a pop on ebay is taking the p*** too imo.

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 7:30 am

OK, I think top hats it is then.

I need the head bolt holes helicoiling as well, I'll have to call around for some prices.

Chris.

chodjinn · Post by **chodjinn** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 8:00 am

local place to me does top hats for 700 beer tokens. They've done quite a few apparently as well.

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 8:49 am

I've been told that the top-hats from Turner Engineering have an o-ring seal at the bottom, making for a proper wet-liner setup. I've also been told that they are the only people who do this, the rest of them put some gunge at the bottom, which can be problematic.....

This answers one 'back of the mind' issue I had, and that is that top-hats seal at the top, but what stops the water leaking down into the sump...

Any comments?

Chris.

RoverP6B · Post by **RoverP6B** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 9:03 am

G'day Chris,

The top hats fitted to my engine were all sealed at both top and bottom.

The bottom of each liner also sits on a 360 degree "shelf" cast into the block.

If coolant were to leak down into the sump, it would show up in the oil on the dip stick, and would it not result in the creamy gunge appearing on the inside of the oil filer cap as the coolant turned to steam and subsequently condensed.

There would also be a subsequent loss of coolant with regular refilling of the radiator. The coolant level in my radiator remains constant.

Ron.

chodjinn · Post by **chodjinn** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 10:17 am

Chris, you got a quote from Turner Engineering for the top hats??

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 11:04 am

Not yet, just filled in their on-line form.....

Chris.

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 7:14 am

£1250+VAT, which includes a line-hone on the mains, new core plugs, and the Turner liners which have o-rings rather than a splodge of sealant.

Perhaps more than I can afford.

Chris.

CastleMGBV8 · Post by **CastleMGBV8** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 2:10 pm

Chris,

That sounds bloody expensive, you can buy a brand new Cosworth block for £995 + VAT

Kevin.

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 2:51 pm

You sure?, I thought it was £1995?

Chris.