The V8 Owners Forum -

Hi
Im finally getting on with stripping my Rv8 to clean and re-build it. It has sat for quite a while and before I started work it was very stiff to turn over using a bar and it would get so far then stop, ie it would turn about 3/4 over then jam up. I thougt (hoped) it may just be a suck valve or something simple. When I got it on the stand and took off the sump, rocker cover & push rod cover etc and worked it back and forward it freed up a bit but it still seemed to stick. I took the rockers and rods etc off so the valves were not being lifted but it still seems to stick and dosnt easily turn over. I dont know whats wrong with it can anyone help is it likely that one of the big end shells is pinching up
Thanks

Ed

Hi Ed
if you already have it on the stand and have the sump off, I would take the heads off aswell, you can see what is going on then , it would also mean If there is a sticking valve or somthing you won't do any more dammage. I am assuming you took the plugs out before you turned it over?
The big end shell, or a main shell are a possability but if that is the case you should be able to see with the sump off.
It may be that the bores were wet when it was stood leading to a rust ridge above one of the pistons??
Have you read the David vizard book on rebuilding the small block chevy? Not the same engine as the rover I know but a briliant description of good workshop practice with lots and lots of description of diagnostic evidance to look for when stripping an engine, good information on all aspects of engine rebuilding blue printing and mild tuning not just a book on the chevy.
good luck
Mike

Educated guess, Rusty bore

Rust in the bore?

Hi
Thanks for your quick replys, I did intend to take the heads off to put some ported heads on, but I broke my ratchet trying to undo the head bolts and I havn't got most of my tools at home at the moment so I'll have a better look when ive got more tools.
If it is a rusty bore whats will this entail? do you think ill have to re-bore it?
thanks

Ed

If its rusty enough to lock a piston up then yes you'll need a rebore with new pistons.

Ed
If this is your problem, would you post a couple of pictures up

Ta V much


PS Love your screen-name - keep singing it to myself

Kind of shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted but never use a ratchet to take of the initial torque of any bolt. I use a 3 foot bar to undo mine, once the torque is off then revert to the ratchet.

smokeonthewater wrote:Hi
Thanks for your quick replys, I did intend to take the heads off to put some ported heads on, but I broke my ratchet trying to undo the head bolts and I havn't got most of my tools at home at the moment so I'll have a better look when ive got more tools.
If it is a rusty bore whats will this entail? do you think ill have to re-bore it?
thanks

Ed

Could be rust or worse. If you are planning on changing heads anyway then definitely worth while taking them off, you will see the issue straight away.

Ok 'pocket rocket' when I get the heads off Ill post some pics - if I can work out how.

Thanks for the tip 'adamnreeves' I would normally have used a bar but it wasn’t in my garage so I thought Id use the ratchet with a 2'tube on the end and that’s what finished it off (strangely enough)

I heard about an old trick my dad used to do. Boil some oil and pour it in the bores. probably quite dangerous, but hey wasnt everything in those days!

I've been here twice with V8's that have stood. Rusty bores no doubt.

Finaly got the heads off and found- wait for it- rust!
Theres only a bit mainly in pots 2&4 not much though you can see it but hardy feel any roughness.
Theres also loads of carbon build up (prob a 2-3mm thick carpet) all over the pistons and some had stuck to the top so that when I took the heads off I had to break it off the edges of the bore. Dunno why.
There was also oil in most of the bores (loads in no8) but i cant remember if when i first got the engine i poured some oil down the spark plug hole so that might be why.
Any thoughts?

Ed

Rebore with new rings and pistons i reckon!

re bore, or re block. 3.5 bare blocks seem cheep on the old Egay