Early Pre-serp engine - should I worry ?

[srdtvr]

Looking at an early Chim - do I need to be concerned that it has the earlier engine and gearbox ? what would be the things to look out for ?
no chassis issues by the way
cheers Steve

[pwd95]

Mine is a 93 car with the early engine & box. They're as bomb proof as the later stuff as long as your not putting big hp through the gearbox. The only thing I have with mine is the gear selector mechanism gets very tired & sloppy & it's not always cured with a new selector bush. I'm used to mine now & I can drive it as good as any, but it looks like a box out job to fix properly TBH.

[srdtvr]

Thanks for the reply
I'm not too concerned then
Cheers

[finestjammy]

I've got a 93 4.0 car. Its done nearly 80k miles and still produces 235 bhp. The gearbox can be a little reluctant, especially when cold, but you get used to it.

[K4TRV]

Me too with '93, 46K, but 4-years Speed Hillclimbs & Sprints, last year with TVRCC.

I do use this fully synth oil in the gearbox (LT77) and it's made a terrific difference especially when a bit cold, but also keeps the syncro working when really hot after a sprint at Castle Coombe:

http://shop.difflock.com/difflock-evolution-fully-...

It didn't like a change to Millers equivalent (when hot, syncro weak on third), so it was useful comparison.

Also use 10/60 Race (Synth ester oils) from Opie: http://www.opieoils.co.uk/

Oil changes annually, despite only 2/3K per year.!!

HTH??

Trev

[M@H]

I had a 93 400 for a while with no concerns.

The only thing to mention with regard to the early gearbox is the clunk into reverse that some of them seem to have. That said, I found if you put it into fifth on the way there it wouldn't happen (obviously without releasing the clutch!).

Cheers,
Matt.

[srdtvr]

Thanks for the re-assuring replies
Steve

[Nosh]

M@H said:

I found if you put it into fifth on the way there it wouldn't happen (obviously without releasing the clutch!).

Matt

Great tip!!

Nosh (AKA the reverse gear cruncher!)

[M@H]

No Worries, you'll find you do it without thinking after a couple of weeks of doing it

[speedtwelve]

Mate has an early 4.3 Chim, and the Rover gearbox on it is just as positive as my T5 box, but lighter to shift.

Wouldn't worry about an earlier car, just buy on condition. I didn't specifically go out of my way to buy one with serp/T5/BTR diff, it's just what I ended-up with.