4.2's break 4.5's OK?

[350matt]

Wotcha
would I be right in thinking that the crankshaft breaking instances that have occurred with the V8 are all limited to the 4.2's? Or is this a case of the 4.2's simply having done higher milages?
just tyrying to get a feel on which car I should be going for.

Ta Matt

[kojak69]

Not heard of any issues with cracked crankshafts.

[trooper1212]

I've heard of a couple of crank problems with early 4.2s, but it's nothing like the level of the K-series head gasket or (dare I say it) speed 6 finger followers.

You'll be very unlucky to get a 4.2 with the problem IMO.

[j_s_g]

Would agree with trooper1212... Would be more worried about getting one with a worn early clutch than problems like this.

[350matt]

Well a chap in my club meet had one and I know of one other, both 4.2's.

[trooper1212]

Yep, but I'd guess that PH is the biggest cross section of Cerbera owners in one place and it's pretty rare here, so I wouldn't worry about it.

[kojak69]

Agree with trooper1212. There are a large number of cerb owners on here.
If you do a search on here for cracked crankshafts, it will have been mentioned if anyone has had problems. I doubt whether you'll find anything. Might be wrong, but I cant ever remember it ever being asked.

[arcbeer]

not heard of it before either

[SXS]

Right in the early days, there were a few nightmare cases, including rear windscreen being blown out at speed.... but things like that were sorted out long ago.... just dont get a REALLY early one, unless its been refurbished

[joospeed]

I get to see a LOT of cerberas, and although I've heard of cranks snaping on the first cars I've never seen a car that's done it. I have seen one with a rod through the block (and I have my TV stood on a cerbera engine with a rod through the side .. well both sides actually!) .. but it's incredibly rare.

[darreni]

Tis very rare, until it happens to you.
Mine snapped last year, taking the block, pistons, liners, etc, etc with it.
No real explanitation from the factory as to why, just that some do let go from time to time.

[pilmar]

mines a 1996 4.2 and had an engine rebuild in 2002 due to a snapped crank!

[350matt]

So no 4.5's then? or are they just younger.....

[SXS]

I've yet to hear about a snapped crank in a 4.5....
I doubt it will happen, everyone says they're underpowered anyway...

Even though it feels a hell of a lot quicker than my GT which has a few mods and pushes at just over 350 horses.... I suppose its in the weight....