Will this be the last step ...

[Henry Harris]

I have mentioned before how my car has turned out to be a curate's egg. Well the latest and hopefully last step was to sort out the engine due to what sounded like a minor rattle for a fraction of a second at start, and a different rattle at exactly 3,000 rpm.

This is some of what was discovered

• Root cause of rattle was one broken big-end shell bearing. Not worn; broken.
• The crankshaft was salvageable and has been reground.
• The valves are larger than standard.
• The heads have been ported.
• The valve springs were the wrong size: possibly they were the originals before the larger valves were fitted
• The valve stems were in a poor state - disintegrating.
• A Kent Cams H218 camshaft was fitted, but thankfully within tolerance.
• The pistons, heads and block are in good condition, but new rings will be fitted

Now, the engine will be rebuilt properly and carefully after balancing and extensive measuring. I have yet to find out the engine's cubic capacity.

Having measured over 240 bhp at the wheels perviously, I anticipate, the engine will work better and smoother after the rebuild. I will have to wait and see after careful running-in.

Please shout if you need anymore information.

Watch this space.

After Rob's post below, I realise that I missed a refresher that my car is designated a 450se and is listed as such with the TVRCC. I wonder what the cubic capacity is actually.

Edited by Henry Harris on Thursday 9th January 16:23

[matt-man]

Nice work Henry! I really admire the work you have put into your car and look forward to seeing all the work in the flesh soon!

Cheers

[350zwelgje]

Interesting to see what the ingredients of your engine are. That is something that put me off buying a first TVR with non-standard engine. And a bearing broken, you don't hear that often.
Always good to see light at the end of the tunnel

Regarding capacity, when they rebuild the block the cylinders can be measured for what the swept area is and exact bore and voila: capacity of your engine after some simple calculations.
Making 240bhp and with the components in the state you mentioned would expect it to be at least a 4.5 litre, or compression has to be very high.

Rob

[hallsie]

if my maths are correct, then the full displacement should .5625 cc per cylinder??

So, you could turn the head upside down and fill the recess of one valve with fluid, the fill the bore with fluid and measure..

Actually better to measure out .5625 ml of fluid and fill the bore and then do the head..

Well, thats how I would do it!!

Any other ideas welcomed!

Stu

[Wedg1e]

My Esprit had one main bearing shell half missing altogether! It still held proper oil pressure, strangely.