Rebuilding a VR engine?

[Jim Bowen 1]

this has probably been covered before, but i can't find the answers i want with the search :oops:

 

After seeing that guy on tv rebuilding a Land rover V8, i fancy getting another engine and rebuilding it over time. Ready for when mine in car needs work, could just swap them over.

 

i've never done anything like this before, but am a cabaple guy and seem to manage most things i try.......eventually :lol:

 

my questions are:

1) would i need to buy a whole engine, could i just look out for the top half and start on that, learning as i go etc, then at some point get the rest to match?

 

2) what kinda bits would you upgrade? if pistons are fine etc should you just stick with standard everything?

 

3) how would you do it? find an old engine that is broken and repair it, or just buy a recon block and slowly amass all the other bits?

[herisites 0]

I dont see the point tbh mate, there isn't a hell of of major parts that make up an engine as long as the bottom end is ok then its just head work and the timing chains and the rest of the parts round the engine that could go like pumps etc.

 

I done my headgasket a few weeks back with kev, my engine has done 140k. My bottom end was fine just the head that needed some work, the main job is the timing chains which me and kev are doing this weekend. So all you really need to do is buy a reconned head (kev has one i believe which he only wants £100 for), replace the head gasket whilst the head is off, replace all gaskets for exhaust and inlets etc which doesnt cost much and then the chains which i am not really looking forward to doing. The engine will last a lot longer, they are pretty solid things, then as funds allow just gradually upgrade parts around it.

[Toad 0]

I'd give it a bit of a crack. You'll be able to learn a lot, but..........

 

You'll need a fair bit of specialist equipment, you'll need to get an external company to do some of the specialist work, such as honing the bores(technically possible at home) crack testing the head and reseating the valves.

 

You'll be able to strip it right down and rebuild it all though.

 

Bit of an expensive jigsaw, and it won't take *that* long to do. you'll probably spend most time cleaning and painting components.

 

I'd stick with standard internal components as they can be reused and having the block bored out and using bigger pistons will cost a lot more money, and might not be worth it unless you're specifically looking for an engine for forced induction, or a free-er reving race spec unit like Corozin's

[ziderapple 0]

I had a go at rebuilding my engine last year, check out my thread in members gallery if you'd like a better idea of the work involved, I bought a low milage head of kadvr6, which after inspecting showed no signs of pitting, corrosion or coke build up, so apart from a clean I did nothing else to. I cross hatched the bores myself, re-used the pistons, used new bolts and gaskets all round obvioulsy and replaced the oil pump (and rings etc). I had done my chains and clutch a couple of months before hand and found the re-buid much harder. I learnt alot doing the job, it was my first go at it aswell, it still cost a lot of money, I came across a few problems - ie putting the pistons back in is a bitch without the proper tool ( again..see my thread). Unless you really want to do it yourself or your compentent, have the tools and know-how, I'd be inclined to start a re-build fund instead....

There were more than a few times when I wished I'd dropped it off to Stealth with my mastercard in the glovebox! :lol:

Saying that I did allow myself a pat on the back when It all worked afterwards and I dove it around the block, with no smoke, rattles or leaks. :D

[Stan 24v 0]

I have a block, crank, pistons, conrods sat in my garage, theyre yours if you want them mate, free. They will need some work doing, but if you only want some practice then you couldnt get a better deal :wink:

[Jim Bowen 1]

hi there,

 

thanks for the info and offer guys

 

when you say they need some work, what do you mean?

[Stan 24v 0]

Ideally a rebore on the block, and then stick in some oversize pistons and have a 3.0/3.1 VR. You can get pistons and rods from the states for around £500 all in :wink:

[ziderapple 0]

If he dosnt want them I'd quite like to take it off your hands. Which garage are they sat in, Swansea?

[Stan 24v 0]

If he dosnt want them I'd quite like to take it off your hands. Which garage are they sat in, Swansea?

 

Unfortunately not mate, Blackpool. However, I may be able to arrange transport of it to Bristol as we tend to frequent MOD Abbeywood fairly often.

[ziderapple 0]

Abbeywood is not too far from me actually so that would work well.

I'm thinkng 3.0l VRT...

Still if 3corsameal wants it, its his.

 

Cheers.

[Jim Bowen 1]

your welcome to take it if you like, its a very kind offer but not sure i want to start it so soon/yet

 

thanks very much

[Stan 24v 0]

Abbeywood is not too far from me actually so that would work well.

I'm thinkng 3.0l VRT...

Still if 3corsameal wants it, its his.

 

Cheers.

 

Do you defo want these mate? I may be able to get it down there with a mate next week.