Cerbera crank snapped !
Discussion
Well, the thing I keep reading about has happened on my 4.2 at 40k miles.
I only just bought the damned thing and have been able to use her only about 200 miles. I wouldn't mind but I haven't even driven it hard.
Can anyone help me find out how much a crank is and where i can get one? Is the 4.5 crank less liable to snap and is it a direct swap?
I only just bought the damned thing and have been able to use her only about 200 miles. I wouldn't mind but I haven't even driven it hard.
Can anyone help me find out how much a crank is and where i can get one? Is the 4.5 crank less liable to snap and is it a direct swap?
the 4.5 crank is a bigger diameter and there has never been a case of it snapping, it is possible to fit a 4.5 crank to the 4.2 but the engien needs to be completly stripped and the bearings line bored to the larger diameter
These guys should be able to help
www.tvrpower.co.uk/ajp.engine.only.php
What year was the car?
Matt
These guys should be able to help
www.tvrpower.co.uk/ajp.engine.only.php
What year was the car?
Matt
427James said:
Thanks Matt,
Its a 96. I hear that they are prone to it. I take it that the 4.2 pistons and con rods are compatible. Is there any difference between the 4.2 and 4.5 except a longer throw on the crank or would it require a rebore + new pistons?
I will give them a call on cost.
Its a 96. I hear that they are prone to it. I take it that the 4.2 pistons and con rods are compatible. Is there any difference between the 4.2 and 4.5 except a longer throw on the crank or would it require a rebore + new pistons?
I will give them a call on cost.
Try Andy at APM automotive. He's been doing rebuilds on AJP V8s for a while and may be able to offer help/parts. His number is 07740723673.
I've chatted to him about 4.2 vs 4.5 cranks before, as mine is an earlier engine too.
4.5 cranks have larger main brearings, so you need to add in a line bore of the mains too. 4.2 cranks no longer available.
Edited by simonsparrow on Wednesday 6th September 10:24
427James said:
Thanks Simon,
I'd heard that the 4.2 cranks aren't available. What is it about the 4.2s that causes them to snap as opposed to the 4.5s? is it just diameter? I just don't want to stick a 4.5 crank into it and have that snap as well.
James
I'd heard that the 4.2 cranks aren't available. What is it about the 4.2s that causes them to snap as opposed to the 4.5s? is it just diameter? I just don't want to stick a 4.5 crank into it and have that snap as well.
James
No idea I'm afraid, mine has done 120k miles, so it just seems to be luck of the draw. Think it might be to do with a bunch of duff castings. If your car doesn't have aircon, you could fit a tuscan racer steel crank (same size as 4.5 cranks, but no 'nose' for aircon pulley).
427James said:
Well, the thing I keep reading about has happened on my 4.2 at 40k miles.
I only just bought the damned thing and have been able to use her only about 200 miles. I wouldn't mind but I haven't even driven it hard.
Can anyone help me find out how much a crank is and where i can get one? Is the 4.5 crank less liable to snap and is it a direct swap?
I only just bought the damned thing and have been able to use her only about 200 miles. I wouldn't mind but I haven't even driven it hard.
Can anyone help me find out how much a crank is and where i can get one? Is the 4.5 crank less liable to snap and is it a direct swap?
There are some good engineers quoted on here, Austec Racing www.austec.co.uk would be a good bet too. Paul can line bore and give you some good advice on the best route to go.
I know Paul can offer upgraded parts to TVR engines, Andy at APM as mentioned is good too. Im sure Dom would give the low down on what would need to be done, but, you may have std TVR parts as the replacement.
Sorry to hear of your woes, it does happen to other people too, I can vouch for that!
As for cost, I would say as long as the pistons and rods wernt damaged, a bill of £4k.
Line bore and honed liners app £650 new liner are £180 extra if needed
Strip and rebuild app £1700
Head skimmed and new gaskets £400 (copper gaskets)
New shells and bearings £100 (big and small)
Crank app £1100
Bits and bobs £200
Just a guess.
Might want to phone douglas valley breakers, or bell hill garage.
Mr F
427James said:
Its a 96. I hear that they are prone to it. I take it that the 4.2 pistons and con rods are compatible. Is there any difference between the 4.2 and 4.5 except a longer throw on the crank or would it require a rebore + new pistons?
427James said:
.......I'd heard that the 4.2 cranks aren't available. What is it about the 4.2s that causes them to snap as opposed to the 4.5s? is it just diameter? I just don't want to stick a 4.5 crank into it and have that snap as well. James
4.5 and 4.2 have same throw. 4.5s are steel cranks 4.2s (certainly eralier ones) are iron.
Earlier 4.5s had same 2.25ins journals as 4.2s but were increased to 2.5ins on later engines.
So IF you can buy a 4.5 crank new then your block will need boring as others have said.
Rods are same for both capacities. They are not prone to snapping. But new rods that are available are from the last production runs and are 80g heavier than originals. If you mix them with old ones it will rubbish the engine balance. Reckon on £800 for a new set......
Not easy. Not nice. Sympathy.
427James said:
Well, the thing I keep reading about has happened on my 4.2 at 40k miles.
I only just bought the damned thing and have been able to use her only about 200 miles. I wouldn't mind but I haven't even driven it hard.
Can anyone help me find out how much a crank is and where i can get one? Is the 4.5 crank less liable to snap and is it a direct swap?
I only just bought the damned thing and have been able to use her only about 200 miles. I wouldn't mind but I haven't even driven it hard.
Can anyone help me find out how much a crank is and where i can get one? Is the 4.5 crank less liable to snap and is it a direct swap?
You are definately not alone on this one. Mine snapped back in January and APM managed to source a '97 engine for a very reasonable price (i.e less than a rebuild) so I'd give him a call to see what he can do, except please wait at least 2 weeks so he can finish repairing my latest breakage
Hello James
sorry to hear about your problem had the same with mine 96 cerb and it had to have a complete new engine because of all the internal damage even new heads I was luckly and had a warranty that paid for most of the work final cost was in excess of £14000 but that was because the fly wheel broke off too and smashed the clutch and bell housing plus they fitted a new starter motor and radiator while it was in the workshop.
where did you buy the cerb just out of interest private or from a trader.
you will have to let us know what the damage was and the final bill good luck.
Bill
sorry to hear about your problem had the same with mine 96 cerb and it had to have a complete new engine because of all the internal damage even new heads I was luckly and had a warranty that paid for most of the work final cost was in excess of £14000 but that was because the fly wheel broke off too and smashed the clutch and bell housing plus they fitted a new starter motor and radiator while it was in the workshop.
where did you buy the cerb just out of interest private or from a trader.
you will have to let us know what the damage was and the final bill good luck.
Bill
spartacus said:
This is depressing to read as i am the owner of a 96 4.2, are the cars in question early or late 96?
Mine was a Sep 96 and the engine was no 186 so a very early one. I believe they sorted it post on the post '98 cars. But as said concentrate on Simon Sparrow's car.... now on 110,000k miles without a rebuild.....
SlvrCrb said:
Mine was a Sep 96 and the engine was no 186 so a very early one.
I should be alright then, I'm number 181
I noticed mine's got a receipt in May 99 for "latest level camshafts & clutch assembly"
Did they all get recalled for that ?
Edited by RUSSELLM on Thursday 7th September 10:06
SlvrCrb said:
spartacus said:
This is depressing to read as i am the owner of a 96 4.2, are the cars in question early or late 96?
Mine was a Sep 96 and the engine was no 186 so a very early one. I believe they sorted it post on the post '98 cars. But as said concentrate on Simon Sparrow's car.... now on 110,000k miles without a rebuild.....
Suppose its just one of those things, got to just drive the damn thing and enjoy it and not think obout what might happen.
BTW mine still has clatter cams, was listening to Dean_ratpac's RR 4.5 ticking over with the bonnet open and it sounded so quite compared to mine!
spartacus said:
SlvrCrb said:
spartacus said:
This is depressing to read as i am the owner of a 96 4.2, are the cars in question early or late 96?
Mine was a Sep 96 and the engine was no 186 so a very early one. I believe they sorted it post on the post '98 cars. But as said concentrate on Simon Sparrow's car.... now on 110,000k miles without a rebuild.....
Suppose its just one of those things, got to just drive the damn thing and enjoy it and not think obout what might happen.
BTW mine still has clatter cams, was listening to Dean_ratpac's RR 4.5 ticking over with the bonnet open and it sounded so quite compared to mine!
Mine has clatter cams too, very noisy valve train. Just warm it up properly before reving it too high, look after it and just enjoy.
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