Seeing Tamora today!

[K12AN]

Hello all

I am going to check out a Tamora today. Wanted to know if there are any particular things I should be checking for? Any tips and advice would be much appreciated.

[Toobin]

Just a few apart from the obvious

- check out the roof seals, they are a bugger to get into the boot and can easily pull away
- pixelation on the dash when hot and or when cold
- bonnet catch can often become faulty and have the cable pull away
- dampness on the passenger / drivers well and door compartments
- heated gear knob when hot (older cars (easy fix but annoying))
- clunking from the back when reversing - dif or bushes in shocks - easy fix but better owner does
- steering rack ofetn go so check for play and uneven tyre wear
- then the usual, FTVRSH, tightness of gear box / clutch (any slippage / thrust bearing noise) was it changed within 12k of now

most importantly of all does it make you chuckle like a teenage girl when you first see it

[OatSy]

Check for damage or bad repairs to the front valance.

[TVR_owner]

K12AN said:

Hello all

I am going to check out a Tamora today. Wanted to know if there are any particular things I should be checking for? Any tips and advice would be much appreciated.

If you're buying private, try to get some idea from the owner how its been treated from cold. Check service history and ensure its been done on time and mileage.

[K12AN]

Is there any way of know if the engine needs a rebuild by listening to it or looking at it?

I am no mechanic, so I am not talking about taking the engine apart and inspecting it.

[gary_de_tam]

when the owner/trader takes you out first before letting
you drive, see how they treat the car, eg. allowing it
to warm up the oil for giving it some 'nuts'...

[OatSy]

Ask the seller to have the car cold so you can see how it starts and how well it ticks over from cold. Also when it is started look at the exhaust for excess balck/blue smoke. When warm you won't see as much.

Unfortunately there is no way of knowing if it needs a rebuild without taking the cover off. If it's had it's 12K service you can ring the place that did it to see if they recommended anything that needs attention. They will know how the condition of the cams/folowers, and if any valve is at it's limit of shimming.

[Moonlite Fingers]

Well? what was it like?

[5yearstobuyatvr]

Make sure its not too Girlie,what do you think now?

[K12AN]

Unfortunately, it got rearranged and now I probably won't be able to see it until next week!

Never mind...I guess it will give me more time to do my homework about it

[Toobin]

K12AN said:

Is there any way of know if the engine needs a rebuild by listening to it or looking at it?

I am no mechanic, so I am not talking about taking the engine apart and inspecting it.

not really .... unless its smoking when it pulls away or an obvious knocking then it's pretty hard to tell. My tuscan engine was running at its best before it went

[K12AN]

The car I am going to see actually has a 4.0 red rose engine from a Tuscan S (2004)...so is the advice any different?
Does anybody know if this engine is any more or less durable/reliable than the standard 3.6?

Edited by K12AN on Thursday 18th June 10:14

[Toobin]

mine was a 4.0 ltr RR that went ... they are all the same.

Check if it was a factor RR, if not then the chances are it was rebuilt to one.

Post 2004 better that pre 2004 however

[K12AN]

It is definately not a factory RR. The seller told me that it had a 2004 Tuscan red rose 4.0 put in - dyno readouts showing around 375BHP.

Is this an engine transplat from a Tuscan, or a rebuilt of the tamora engine and upgrade in the output?...From what I can gather it is a completely different engine.

I could ring up the company which did the 'transplant' It is castle TVR - reputable (I think?)...do I simply call them and say that I am interested in purchasing a car they have worked on and want to know more etc?

[Lensey]

K12AN said:

It is definately not a factory RR. The seller told me that it had a 2004 Tuscan red rose 4.0 put in - dyno readouts showing around 375BHP.

Is this an engine transplat from a Tuscan, or a rebuilt of the tamora engine and upgrade in the output?...From what I can gather it is a completely different engine.

I could ring up the company which did the 'transplant' It is castle TVR - reputable (I think?)...do I simply call them and say that I am interested in purchasing a car they have worked on and want to know more etc?

If it was Castle all they would've done is take it out and send it to Power, then put it back in when returned.

[K12AN]

Lensey said:

K12AN said:

It is definately not a factory RR. The seller told me that it had a 2004 Tuscan red rose 4.0 put in - dyno readouts showing around 375BHP.

Is this an engine transplat from a Tuscan, or a rebuilt of the tamora engine and upgrade in the output?...From what I can gather it is a completely different engine.

I could ring up the company which did the 'transplant' It is castle TVR - reputable (I think?)...do I simply call them and say that I am interested in purchasing a car they have worked on and want to know more etc?

If it was Castle all they would've done is take it out and send it to Power, then put it back in when returned.

Really?...And I can assume that TVR Power would not put any engine in unless if had been fully inspected and approved by them?

[Lensey]

Sorry, what I mean is if the engine was a rebuild fro a 3.6 to a 4.0 Castle would've taken it out and sent it to Power they would've done the rebuild and sent it back to Castle who would've put it back in. Just give Castle a call there nice guys and I'm sure they will give you the info.