Early 500 Engine Help

[billy no brakes]

Hi All

Just dropped my sons early 500 Griff off at Taylor TVR to have some work done and Dan has said that it is not the same as any Griff he has seen before, got some strange brass tap on the left hand side top side of the engine and also the alternator is on the other side of the engine with a differenet layout, see attached photos, any comments or does anyone know why this engine is different.

Gary

[jeboa]

Okay, that's different.

The front end of the engine looks as if it is a serpentine, that's been converted to v-belt pulleys - difficult to tell.

The water pipe arrangement looks like the later (serpentine) type. Pre-serp engines only have one water resevoir/swirl chamber (the one that has the brass plug on in your photo, has the filler/pressure cap on if it's a pre-serp).

Alternator is the later type - fitted to serp engines.

The manifolds/Y piece look a little unique too - usually the flange bolted types are on the pre-cat engines.

When you get the chance - have a look at the engine code (you might be able to see it betweeen the manifolds - may need a bit of a wipe to see) - does it match the plate?

What year is it?

[Russell Mc]

Manifolds are the usual early 500 type.

Any signs the car had aircon or power steering that's since been removed? Can't see why they would put the alternator out their for no reason.

[900T-R]

jeboa said:

The manifolds/Y piece look a little unique too - usually the flange bolted types are on the pre-cat engines.

That's actually normal - early Chimaeras have this style, too... up until somewhere in '94 I think.

[billy no brakes]

I have sent engine No to Ballistic Bannana maybe he can find out soemthing, I think it could be a early prototype

[stecozz]

mine is a 94 pre serp with aircon and power steering and has the two water reservoirs

[billy no brakes]

looks the same, wonder if the power steering was taken off my sons one, and you have got the same pipe with brass nut and the back left hand side of the engine do you know what that is for

[stecozz]

Ive never messed with it but im sure its water but not 100%.

[jeboa]

I think that is the highest point of your cooling system (those pipes run to the heater matrix inside the car). Could be used for bleeding air out of the system?

[stecozz]

Makes sense, will have to use that in future when i next change the water/antifreeze.

[spitfire4v8]

That brass pipe bung is common on range rovers .. I suspect TVR used the range rover heater circuit complete in the engine bay. Many early cars are like this.

[V8 GRF]

billy no brakes said:

I have sent engine No to Ballistic Bannana maybe he can find out soemthing, I think it could be a early prototype

Ask TVR Power they built the engines and I believe they have the records.

Looking at the picture I'd suggest it's had the air conditioning and PAS removed for some reason.