Second hand engine, think I did ok.

James 33 · Post by **James 33** » Mon Oct 10, 2016 7:17 am

I'm building a V8 trike and after buying a SD1 engine that turned out to be completely shot I saw a Tvr 400 engine listed with 45k miles on it for not much more than a good 3.5 Rover lump would go for.
Looked clean enough on the outside so assumed it had been steam cleaned.
Anyway I'm going to fit a Webber 500 carb so yesterday removed the Efi manifold and Valley gasket. The inside is just as clean as the outside and looks brand new! Every engine I've seen is usually black under here so has this done 45k miles or much less do we think?

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jenko · Post by **jenko** » Mon Oct 10, 2016 10:54 am

I have a brand new block currently in build, your engine looks cleaner than that

Reckon you have a good un there..

SimpleSimon · Post by **SimpleSimon** » Mon Oct 10, 2016 3:06 pm

DaveEFI · Post by **DaveEFI** » Mon Oct 10, 2016 3:11 pm

Be interesting to find out the history. Unusual to sell an engine so obviously freshly built. No matter how keen you are on changing the oil, they don't stay that clean for long.

James 33 · Post by **James 33** » Mon Oct 10, 2016 3:26 pm

It came from a breakers. The car was involved in a fire that looked to have started under the dash. The only fire damage I can see on the engine is the nearside rocker cover gasket is a bit burnt at the back. I did wonder if someone fitted a new engine and didn't do a fuel line up properly or something. Still doesn't really explain why it was sold so cheap. Was for sale quite a while to as I was watching it trying to get the money together. I've had it 2 years and not had it started up yet. Been turning over by hand every few weeks though.
This is the car I believe it came from.

James 33 · Post by **James 33** » Mon Oct 10, 2016 3:45 pm

Are we thinking the engine could virtually brand new then? I was tempted to pull a head off and see what the pistons and bores look like but don't want to mess with it.

ratwing · Post by **ratwing** » Mon Oct 10, 2016 4:10 pm

You could have a look with an endoscope poked down the plug holes?

James 33 · Post by **James 33** » Mon Oct 10, 2016 4:20 pm

Good thinking. I'll see if I can find someone with one.

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Mon Oct 10, 2016 5:34 pm

That engine hasn't been run for long, if at all!

Chris.

James 33 · Post by **James 33** » Mon Oct 10, 2016 5:57 pm

Just long enough for the car to catch light.

James 33 · Post by **James 33** » Mon Oct 10, 2016 6:00 pm

Curiosity got the better of me and I dropped the sump off it earlier as no oil in it yet anyway. Shiney and new just like the top end. Also ordered one of those cheap USB Endoscopes off eba so I can see what the piston tops look like.

Eliot · Post by **Eliot** » Mon Oct 10, 2016 8:42 pm

Fook me that looks brand new !

Eliot · Post by **Eliot** » Tue Oct 11, 2016 3:40 am

You could ask around over on the tvr section of pistonheads - someone is bound to recognise the car. I seem to recal a workshop catching fire a few years ago.

James 33 · Post by **James 33** » Tue Oct 11, 2016 6:31 am

I did a bit of a search online and saw the workshop fire. Did wonder.

SimpleSimon · Post by **SimpleSimon** » Tue Oct 11, 2016 9:36 am

If that's a new cam and lifters be sure to cover it in cam lube and break the bugger in