New 430 Big Valve in the Midlands
Discussion
First post so be gentle.
Its taken best part of 10 years but i finally realised the dream and bought a Griff just before Christmas. I feel very lucky to have been in the right place at the right time to get this car. Its a pre-cat 4.3 (Mica Blue with Doeskin) which has had a full engine rebuild by the chaps at TVR Power 7k miles ago to Big Valve specification. The car, owned by a member of the PH family, has been fitted with Ohlins and a rear ARB and i can testify that she handles as well as she goes.
The car is wonderfully anti-social, being pretty loud (sorry neighbours) and introduced itself to my wife's Mini by spitting exhaust gunk all over the poor car as i demonstrated that wonderful exhaust note to friends and family at chrstmas. I'm hoping to get along to quite a few events this year including the Growl and the Rockingham event. I'm also keen to meet some of the Warwickshire West Midlands members at the Bulls Head next month.
I do have a couple of questions and would welcome comments from those in the know.
-I have a couple of very minor oil leaks (i suspect mostly down to relative inactivity over the last few years). The offside rocker cover, Oil Pressure Sensor and more worryingly crank seal area (although this could be either of the other two leaks running). There are only ever a couple of drops between trips out so should i be worried or is this pretty normal? Oil level checks show no/negligible oil loss.
2 - Could anyone recommend a good place to get my car serviced. David Gerald is the obvious candidate but i'd be happy to consider other recomendations from anyone with personal experience.
Thanks in advance,
Its taken best part of 10 years but i finally realised the dream and bought a Griff just before Christmas. I feel very lucky to have been in the right place at the right time to get this car. Its a pre-cat 4.3 (Mica Blue with Doeskin) which has had a full engine rebuild by the chaps at TVR Power 7k miles ago to Big Valve specification. The car, owned by a member of the PH family, has been fitted with Ohlins and a rear ARB and i can testify that she handles as well as she goes.
The car is wonderfully anti-social, being pretty loud (sorry neighbours) and introduced itself to my wife's Mini by spitting exhaust gunk all over the poor car as i demonstrated that wonderful exhaust note to friends and family at chrstmas. I'm hoping to get along to quite a few events this year including the Growl and the Rockingham event. I'm also keen to meet some of the Warwickshire West Midlands members at the Bulls Head next month.
I do have a couple of questions and would welcome comments from those in the know.
-I have a couple of very minor oil leaks (i suspect mostly down to relative inactivity over the last few years). The offside rocker cover, Oil Pressure Sensor and more worryingly crank seal area (although this could be either of the other two leaks running). There are only ever a couple of drops between trips out so should i be worried or is this pretty normal? Oil level checks show no/negligible oil loss.
2 - Could anyone recommend a good place to get my car serviced. David Gerald is the obvious candidate but i'd be happy to consider other recomendations from anyone with personal experience.
Thanks in advance,
Hey, Welcome to the very elite 430 club. And a blue one too, you lucky boy 
I'm happy to read you've already got the Growl in your diary. Good Man
The oil pressure sensor doesn't leak on my 4.3 but thats probably because its new. If you get the urge to replace it put a shout on on here and I'll help with details and approx costs from my experience.
I hope you thoroughly enjoy your new toy and if he gives you 1/2 the pleasure I get from mine you'll be a very happy man.
I'm happy to read you've already got the Growl in your diary. Good Man
The oil pressure sensor doesn't leak on my 4.3 but thats probably because its new. If you get the urge to replace it put a shout on on here and I'll help with details and approx costs from my experience.
I hope you thoroughly enjoy your new toy and if he gives you 1/2 the pleasure I get from mine you'll be a very happy man.
Tildo430BV said:
-I have a couple of very minor oil leaks (i suspect mostly down to relative inactivity over the last few years). The offside rocker cover, Oil Pressure Sensor and more worryingly crank seal area (although this could be either of the other two leaks running). There are only ever a couple of drops between trips out so should i be worried or is this pretty normal? Oil level checks show no/negligible oil loss.
Rocker cover's easy to sort. You can use rubber gaskets from a later Range Rover but they require a lip trimming off, and some silicone to fit well. If done right they don't leak at all (speaks from experience). Apparently the cork ones don't last long.
IMHO the crank seal isn't worth bothering about until your clutch is contaminated and slips. It's such a pig of a job to do (engine and/or gearbox out) that it just doesn't seem worth doing. Unless you don't want your clutch to get contaminated (because it'll need replacing) but to be honest, if you're getting the engine/box out and replacing the oil seal, you might as well replace the clutch too. Hence my inital reasoning.
Thanks for the welcome - bring on the good weather.
Grifter - The crank seal comments are exactly what i was thinking. I think i saw figures on the forum of £400 to replace the seal alone and i wouldn't expect the clutch to set me back more that £200 on top of that. There is no sign of any clutch slippage after 350 fabulous miles so i'm going to keep my fingers crossed for now.
Grifter - The crank seal comments are exactly what i was thinking. I think i saw figures on the forum of £400 to replace the seal alone and i wouldn't expect the clutch to set me back more that £200 on top of that. There is no sign of any clutch slippage after 350 fabulous miles so i'm going to keep my fingers crossed for now.
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