how much power can a Rover V8 bottom handle?

[mgbv8]

Budget!!
By that I mean a bit of dosh that the missus dont know about
Although our holiday to the usa has now been downrated to 4 days in the peak district next weekend due to unforseen engine damage (twice) while testing the new nitrous system. Long story, I aint even going near that one

I'll go look up that Belzona now and see what its about. So far both heads and both decks have held up with JB weld But I havent got a clue just how long its going to last. Having said that, the last head gasket failure blew out across some of the JB weld and hasnt damaged it. I think thats because it was on the dnyo and I heard it go so it got cut off straight away. Flat out on gas on the track might have seen more damage?

[DaveEFI]

We don't even have a budget, LUXURY, you lucky B***ard. After the last blow up we find we have zero good blocks left, the decision became fix the block that lost a bottom rear corner which is relatively unstressed, or fix a block mating surface. We went for option one and it seems to be terrific. Cut the damage back to a square slice and then cut a matching piece from a scrap block.Then we glued it together with Belzona , perforated metal as a reinforcement. Seems bloody good, next job is the mating face for the head on another block. Fantastic stuff but bloody expensive at £56 for 400 grammes. Mind you this repair only took about 60 grams so it evens out.
Stuff has a five year shelf life too.

Alan

I used Belzona to repair a P5 block after a gasket blew many many years ago. Still have some - if it hasn't gone off. Must be getting on for 40 years ago. Wonder if the formula has changed? It certainly worked - no problems with it in the year or so I knew the car.

[ian.stewart]

275hp, what I was saying is still true, End caps were walking with studs, BUT the engine was getting a good tonking every time it was out, and still does, 7k shifts, with 8400 seen on a missed shift on one occasion, follow the basic rules and parts, the engine will live beyond the 275hp without going pop, although, dont be surprised to find the cap witness marks, ot even loose caps when you strip the engine,

[bigaldart]

Ian,

The caps are going to walk if you rev it, doesn't matter what you do. Best tip I know is what Gene Adams does on his early hemi's use lanolin on the mating faces and let it move. The lanolin stops the metal transfer. Look for a really good hand cream if you can't find the pure stuff. Gene's stuff revs to 10K plus!!!!

Alan