If you had an apparently good engine sat on the bench...

[Chris71]

Just thinking, if I did go for the secondhand route for my replacement engine, are there any precautionary bits of refresh work that people would recommend doing before it goes in the car? I'm not talking about major repairs, but anything that's worth changing or examining on an ostensibly sound engine while I've got it on the bench.

[Alexdaredevilz]

Check all bolts,
Compression test
Leak down test

[haircutmike]

My pal 7TVR has his on PH classified if you are after a reasonably priced 5.0.

[Simon says]

Sump off check the oil pick up strainer is clear & the 2 pick up bolts to block are secure,clean the sump pan & change all the external core plugs front & rear crank seals would be nice too this is presuming that you can trust the engine is good from whoever you got it from

[pwd95]

All the above + change bottom end bearings, water pump, check condition of cam.

[Chris71]

Simon says said:

This is presuming that you can trust the engine is good from whoever you got it from

That's the big issue I guess. Obviously if I go down the second hand route I'll try very hard to make sure the engine is of known spec and condition, but you can never be 100% sure. You're looking at over £4k to build one up from scratch, though, so that leaves a lot of lee way on the cost of a typical second hand engine.

I think a likely outcome is a good second hand lump treated to a refresh and a cam change while it's on the bench.

[pwd95]

Chris71 said:

That's the big issue I guess. Obviously if I go down the second hand route I'll try very hard to make sure the engine is of known spec and condition, but you can never be 100% sure. You're looking at over £4k to build one up from scratch, though, so that leaves a lot of lee way on the cost of a typical second hand engine.

I think a likely outcome is a good second hand lump treated to a refresh and a cam change while it's on the bench.

Also the vendor genuinely might not be aware of any faults that might be lurking.

[Simon says]

pwd95 said:

Chris71 said:

That's the big issue I guess. Obviously if I go down the second hand route I'll try very hard to make sure the engine is of known spec and condition, but you can never be 100% sure. You're looking at over £4k to build one up from scratch, though, so that leaves a lot of lee way on the cost of a typical second hand engine.

I think a likely outcome is a good second hand lump treated to a refresh and a cam change while it's on the bench.

Also the vendor genuinely might not be aware of any faults that might be lurking.

True especially cam wise

[Chimpafrolic]

Hi Chris,

If you buy a used lump there is a strong argument that says it would be a false economy not to give it a freshen up.

So that's:

• Cam
• Timing chain set
• Bottom end re-shell
• Gasket set

So lets say you buy a used engine for £2k, by the time you have done the freshen up you will only be saving a grand or so on a full rebuild.

OK a grand is a lot of money but the difference between a full rebuild and a freshened up engine with an unknown past is huge.

Lets say you do all that freshening up only to find you bought a used engine with a porous block, that would be a zero saving & money down the drain.

Even if you get lucky (which is very possible to be fair), can you live with that nagging voice in the back of your head that keeps saying "you should have done the full rebuild Chris"?

I guess ultimately it really all comes down to what your plans are for the car long term.

For me the used engine only really starts to make sense if you are thinking of selling the car immediately after getting it up and running again.

If that's the case then I would be giving everything a good inspection and only replacing what's really needed.

Take the inlet manifold off and measure the lift direct on the cam lobes, then break a main & big end to inspect the shell condition, finally do a compression test wet & dry.

If everything checks out OK just button it back up, drop the motor in and sell the car.

You can always reinvest the in another TVR with good history in a different colour?

However if the plan is to keep the car for a while I would be biting the bullet and doing the full rebuild.

Don't spoil the ship for a hapeth of tar and end up regretting it mate.

Dave.

[Chris71]

Simon says said:

pwd95 said:

Chris71 said:

That's the big issue I guess. Obviously if I go down the second hand route I'll try very hard to make sure the engine is of known spec and condition, but you can never be 100% sure. You're looking at over £4k to build one up from scratch, though, so that leaves a lot of lee way on the cost of a typical second hand engine.

I think a likely outcome is a good second hand lump treated to a refresh and a cam change while it's on the bench.

Also the vendor genuinely might not be aware of any faults that might be lurking.

True especially cam wise

Too true. Even if they're being totally honest on their assessment of the engine, doesn't mean it's correct. That's the gamble you take.

To be honest if I put a standard 500 back in there - whether mine turns out to be recoverable or someone elses - I'm fairly sure I'll stick a Stealth cam or similar in while I'm at it. Not only is the wear a big issue, but all the standard 500s I've driven have felt a little flat at the top end and I'm determined to liven things up if I'm going to hang on to the car. A seconhand engine is obviously a gamble, but if things went well the money saved over and above building a new one from off the shelf bits would pay for a cam change, a Mark Adams chip and maybe a new plenum as well. Should put it close to 300bhp.