Smash's 390SE work so far

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

If you have JE heads and they have a number on them, give him a call as ask him to supply a camshaft to match.
if you let him know what you have want what your going to use it for he'll send you a camshaft for your requirements.

[Snow Mole]

Another vote for speaking with John Eales - he built an engine for my TVR 400SE and his knowledge and help was invaluable.

Richard

[smash]

Just a quicky to say John Eales has no record of the engine build anymore. I contacted him with the engine number and he said he'd lost a lot of older records through computer swaps and disc failure (it's the original engine).

Good luck Keith - as much as I hated that car I honestly really would like to see it back in rude health.

[KKson]

Hi all, been away the weekend at the caravan so catching up with stuff. I spent Thursday evening and Friday lunchtime looking at camshaft reviews. I spoke to Neil at ML Performance and he strongly recommended V8 Developments so gave them a ring and chatted to Rob. There's a dozen potential cams to use but I also want the car to be driveable rather than all out max power. I've therefore gone with a "Stealth" cam from V8D, plus new followers and double chain and new sprockets. Full kit with every gaskets etc was just on £500. Steep I know but I still think I got a bargain getting the 390SE for what I paid for it. Kit is due mid week plus I've ordered a new black silicon hose kit from ML Performance as the hoses were way past their best.

Here's hoping it's up and running some time the week after next...... I cant wait! The neighbours will be so pleased to see me with two bloody noisy Wedges!

[celcius]

Sounds great keith

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

Neil and Rob are both very helpful, so I don't think your go wrong. hope you got the composite valley gasket, as I've found they are a lot better.
While you have it all apart I'd have a good look at the head condition gaskets, plus remove the 3rd row of bolts if fitted, esp as they can cause the head to have more pressure on one side, and hence why they always go in the valley side.
the new style heads did not have these to fix this problem.
They are fine to just remove, if you want you can put some high temp or gasket sealant in the holes to stop the dirt.

[Number 7]

TVRleigh_BBWR said:

Neil and Rob are both very helpful, so I don't think your go wrong. hope you got the composite valley gasket, as I've found they are a lot better.
While you have it all apart I'd have a good look at the head condition gaskets, plus remove the 3rd row of bolts if fitted, esp as they can cause the head to have more pressure on one side, and hence why they always go in the valley side.
the new style heads did not have these to fix this problem.
They are fine to just remove, if you want you can put some high temp or gasket sealant in the holes to stop the dirt.

Good advice - and if you don't want to remove the outer row, just torque them to a far lower value than the remainder. Fitting ARP studs is also a good idea, but where to stop....

[adam quantrill]

Thumbs up for compo valley gaskets I re-did one head a few months ago and re-used the valley gasket - no leaks.

[KKson]

Hi, I did check this afternoon with V8 Developments and they only supply the composite gaskets. Re the head bolts their advice was also to just slacken the outer 4 head bolts a bit rather than completely removing them.

Silicon hoses due tomorrow, camshaft kit Wednesday - mechanic/technician might be able to sort it all out Saturday, but too late for Neil Garner open day.

[KKson]

Shiny........

[Number 7]

IIRC you are supposed to submerge the lifters in engine oil for a day or so to ensure they are filled.

[KKson]

Number 7 said:

IIRC you are supposed to submerge the lifters in engine oil for a day or so to ensure they are filled.

Great advice thanks. The camshaft is going in some time next week so I'll get the followers soaking tomorrow. Cheers. Fingers crossed. getting very excited now.

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

Number 7 said:

IIRC you are supposed to submerge the lifters in engine oil for a day or so to ensure they are filled.

This is only so they pump up quicker, you can also squirt oil into one of the holes if you want to wait, or remove the clip fill with oil, and then replace.

Make sure you got some good cam lube, and run then for 20 mins at 2k rpm.

ETA ONLY USE MINERAL OIL to run them in, best not to use fully synth until the 1st 500-2000 miles.

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

pre-load is only 20-60 thou, smaller is better for higher revs.
dont think you could manually get enough oil in to stop the pre-load

some more info here
http://www.v8developments.co.uk/technical/valve_tr...
http://www.v8engines.com/faq-gen.htm