Mk 1 Tuscan, no engine rebuild

[ukcerb]

Would you buy one that has not had the followers replaced (I believe this is the bit that causes the problems)if the engine had done under 30,000?
How much would it be to have the upgrade done before any problems arise?

[S6 Devil]

In a word no, I wouldn't. You could however have it inspected by TVR Power who, if happy with the condition would offer a warranty. If not then the standard cost of a rebuild is £5400 plus whatever else they find.
http://www.tvrpower.co.uk/upgrades/engine-rebuild-...

[ukcerb]

Ok thanks. I sort of knew that might be the answer!

[Walford]

[Graaf]

I would buy it if it is well treated. I buy a well treated car over any rebuild (but let it get inspected), the "S" engines seems to be better sorted btw.

[dvs_dave]

Mine is an "S" and 30-40k is right in the sweet spot for the valve stem seals to be on the way out. The originals were way too soft. Certainly was on mine, even though the finger followers were fine. Rebuild time regardless.

Tell tale is blue smoke on a hot start after it's been sat for a few minutes.

[ukcerb]

dvs_dave said:

Rebuild time regardless.

How much would you budget for a rebuild? Power seem around the 6k mark.

[Basil Brush]

What year is the car?

[Robertjp]

Would have to agree, unless its 2003 or later, there are a few things to be a little concerned about and should get checked...

Cams & Followers
engine Block oil and cooling paths
valve guides
piston rings
half time bearing

I wouldnt buy one, simple as that, but people do and there engines are fine. But then i havent got £6k to leave in a bank account...well i didn't think i had, but i have spent that 3 times over since buying the car in running costs, god knows how.

[ukcerb]

Basil Brush said:

What year is the car?

It's a 4.0 2001. The other I'm tempted by is a 2002 S, again no rebuild.

[UpTheIron]

I bought a very early Tuscan - one of the Looney Tunes cars. 8k on it when I bought it, and 47k on the clock (which was more like 50k thanks to speedo failures) when the head gasket popped.

The engine had been slowly detonating itself from 30k, but the bottom line is I did 42k on chocolate fingers... and they were factored into the price, so I got 42k of "free" miles. It would have been more but for HGF, as once work started it was always going to be a big bill!

If you can price accordingly, go for it is my advice!

[Walford]

Once you take the motor out of a ten year old Tuscan, you could find yourself with a clutch, and clutch release cylinder, not really worth putting back in, things like radiator and all the hoses not good enough to go with a new engine, maybe worn throttle body's on the early cars, i personally would not start up a speed 6 on old injectors, or O2 sensors so the 6k can soon go up

[xTVR]

Couldn't agree more with just about all of the above. I got my 2001 S with 41000 miles on the clock last year. Original engine but upgraded radiator and suspension.
I worked on the theory that if a speed 6 of that vintage was good for that mileage then the fundamentals were sound and it would be OK for a bit yet.
How wrong I was!
£8500 later with TVR Power, I've now got a proper rebuilt engine (everything replaced except crankshaft) plus clutch and catalytic convertors which were oil damaged. I also had the manifolds insulated, engine gearbox and diff mounts replaced and anything else that looked dodgy fixed. Gearbox and diff were declared fit for purpose.
Then I went for broke and got the interior refurbished so total spend to bring the whole thing up to scratch was £12k.
This was NOT the original gameplan, the Mrs got a bit uppity, my son thinks its great, and the car is gorgeous and drives a treat.
I really believe it is good for the long term, fingers crossed as always - it ia after all a TVR!

[Basil Brush]

ukcerb said:

Basil Brush said:

What year is the car?

It's a 4.0 2001. The other I'm tempted by is a 2002 S, again no rebuild.

In that case I'd assume it will need work soon to be on the safe side. Things improved very late 2002 but before that the rebuild odds weren't exactly great.

[rens914]

i would and i did
but i would like to know the history of the car first and have a tappet clearance test.
if both are well there wouldnt be a reason for me to let it go
there are cars without rebuilds (still going strong) and others which are due to a second or third rebuild (depends on who did them)
but lets not forget the biggest question of all
who was the former owner
did he/she look after the car well (no high revs before temps above 60 degrees/ proper oil/ services done within time)
quickest check is to look at schocks (still original ??) and tyres (cheapie ones more than 5 years old).
a lot of brits tend to pay a lot for a new toy but don't want to pay for maintainance
yes yes i know
but have bought 3 cars on the island
rens

[natben]

ukcerb said:

dvs_dave said:

Rebuild time regardless.

How much would you budget for a rebuild? Power seem around the 6k mark.

I just had a standard rebuild in my Cerb SP6 in November and along with a new crank and clutch mine came in at a little over £8k.
But what the rebuild has given me is real piece of mind, I now take the car out with out even thinking about any kind or failure and In all the time I have had TVRs it has always been in the back of my mind, and eventually happened. Being able to get in and drive without worry really ads to the enjoyment of the car and while spending £8k was SORE, I now really enjoy it and I have to say thye car is epic.
I managed to get my 2003 Cerbera to 32k miles before it went bang. My advice would be if it does not have a recognised rebuild (full rebuild not just tinkered with) then budget for one!

Edited by natben on Monday 7th May 14:03

[stuthemong]

I bought one recently. In the end I thought I'd spend more and get one with a rebuild, under warranty.

I was always a bit worried about the AJP in my cerb, and I know the S6's are even more tempramental. £6K is not the price for a rebuild, as said, it will cost more like 8K all done by the time you do the other stuff you are bound to do whilst in there. Like for like cars with warrantied rebuilds are not 8K more than a non rebuilt counterpart, and tend to be in better nick. I can just run this and not worry so much about 'when/if' things go wrong. Peace of mind is worth it. Car will be much easier to sell when done too.

stu

[ukcerb]

Thanks for all your replies, really much appreciated. On balance I`m put off the non rebuilt version unless I can get the price down alot. It`s really hard though without appearing rude!
The S I mentioned has had a rebuild in 2003 and done around 15k miles since. Rebuild was carried out by Dream Machines on behalf of TVR It starts, drives,sounds fine and no tell tale smoke. A few niggles body wise (passenger door front catching and scratched, bootlid out of alingment) and interior (worn bolster but not irrepairable, worn steering wheel). Original shocks, exhaust etc but lots done(new roof seals, ecu etc) so looked after.
What do you reckon?

[Daston]

My car had a full topend rebuild at the end of 2010 due to leaking Valve stem seals. Because it's an engine out job you are looking at 10 hours labour charge just to get the thing out and then another 10 to put it back so thats around £800 before any real work is done!

I had a reconditioned top end put in with all the latest parts, plus second oil feed, new oil pump and polished crank whilst it was out I also had a load of heatshilding put in around the manifold (the same as the Sagaras/Mk2 Tuscans have). Total bill came to around £7.5k

The sad thing is I have only done around 4k miles since however it is for sale if your looking for a Tuscan with a rebuild.

[Robertjp]

ukcerb said:

Thanks for all your replies, really much appreciated. On balance I`m put off the non rebuilt version unless I can get the price down alot. It`s really hard though without appearing rude!
The S I mentioned has had a rebuild in 2003 and done around 15k miles since. Rebuild was carried out by Dream Machines on behalf of TVR It starts, drives,sounds fine and no tell tale smoke. A few niggles body wise (passenger door front catching and scratched, bootlid out of alingment) and interior (worn bolster but not irrepairable, worn steering wheel). Original shocks, exhaust etc but lots done(new roof seals, ecu etc) so looked after.
What do you reckon?

Check who it was actually rebuilt by, cause i doubt it was Dream machines themselves, though they may have removed and reinstalled it. They used to use HHC and Racing Green, moving to str8 six.

I think any of these would see to it that you have a good rebuild - but for god sake check what was done...

If Dream machines rebuilt it, run a mile.