Crankshaft snapped - What's my options
Crankshaft snapped - What's my options
Author
Discussion

msmith0592

Original Poster:

303 posts

168 months

Thursday 30th January 2014
quotequote all
I've got an early '97 4.2 Cerbera.

On Friday the crankshaft snapped which in turn has thrown a rod through the block.

What are my options, find an used engine and swap over or find a replacement block plus other parts and rebuild?

morebeanz

3,283 posts

260 months

Thursday 30th January 2014
quotequote all
Hear that thunder in the background?

That's the LS boyz rushing to this thread... hehe

Personal opinion would be to source another AJP and have it restored to replace the original. I think they're rather unique.

rev-erend

21,605 posts

308 months

Thursday 30th January 2014
quotequote all
Sounds like a s/h engine is the best bet.

Blocks can also be repaired but it depends what has been damaged.

Jimbolian

246 posts

164 months

Thursday 30th January 2014
quotequote all
Ouch! Sorry to hear that.

I'm with the stick with the AJPV8 brigade... as you need a sourced engine, may as well get it bored out while you are at it? Silver linings and all that ( Pun probably not intended ).

robsco

7,875 posts

200 months

Thursday 30th January 2014
quotequote all
And you've only owned it a month? Very sorry to hear this.

To those who say "if it was going to happen, it would have happened by now", it seems that theory is obliterated. Best of luck with whatever you decide.

scotty_d

6,795 posts

218 months

Thursday 30th January 2014
quotequote all
I pulled apart a early ajp with a snapped crank, what a mess.

Good news was the heads were perfect and I have them as well as various other auxiliaries, I would source a used bottom end and have it worked over with a non cast crank this time.Re furb the heads while you are at it if they are OK,this will be far cheaper than ls route, but depends on your budget and ultimate goal for the car.

Edited by scotty_d on Thursday 30th January 13:30

Rochester TVR

3,314 posts

230 months

Thursday 30th January 2014
quotequote all
A month into ownership! Sorry to hear that...

AJP all the way. How about a 4.7?

gruffalo

8,100 posts

250 months

Thursday 30th January 2014
quotequote all
Mike,

As mentioned I have 4.5 pistons, 2.5 inch crank and conrods.

Find a block I will give you the crank and bits and you are away and running.

leman600

223 posts

240 months

Thursday 30th January 2014
quotequote all
Sorry to hear that story so early.
On ebay there is a 4.2 1999 engine for sale. 1999 means that it has an improved crank I believe and also 'good working order' at that price will probably be well under what you could spend on yours.I think I heard some bell housing mods over time but unsure if any implications. I dont think so?
Incidentally a Cerbera is an AJPV8 and the character of that engine is what makes it so special.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-CERBERA-AJP-ENGINE-4...

leerdam23

606 posts

285 months

Thursday 30th January 2014
quotequote all
Me, IMHO, I'd stick with the AJP... I'd get the replacement engine fully rebuilt by someone who would guarantee it who had a good reputation....

LS convertion done right is fantastic to drive, but it is a much more expensive option... depends on how much you want to spend really.

Just read your profile, did you buy the car from a dealer? If so then you may be better taking it up with them.

Edited by leerdam23 on Thursday 30th January 14:20

TimJM

1,497 posts

234 months

Thursday 30th January 2014
quotequote all
It may all be a drunken delusion but didn't itsallyeallow (Mike) have an AJP for sale recently? I think it was newly rebuilt by APM too although I may be talking 6 months ago so probably sold now. Still could be worth a try.

Byker28i

85,005 posts

241 months

Thursday 30th January 2014
quotequote all
robsco said:
And you've only owned it a month? Very sorry to hear this.

To those who say "if it was going to happen, it would have happened by now", it seems that theory is obliterated. Best of luck with whatever you decide.
Yup that - it's 17-18 years old. Surely it would have gone by now.
How many miles did it have?

msmith0592

Original Poster:

303 posts

168 months

Thursday 30th January 2014
quotequote all
The mileage is just over 60k.

I'll source another block and then get the engine rebuilt.

Unfortunately LS conversions are out of my price range.

Byker28i

85,005 posts

241 months

Thursday 30th January 2014
quotequote all
driven mine in today - looks at mileage - 50K.....

jamieduff1981

8,092 posts

164 months

Thursday 30th January 2014
quotequote all
Are you on the Facebook group?

Bionicjim who was banned from here for talking about bad experiences currently has a load of AJP parts advertised on there.

N7GTX

8,274 posts

167 months

Thursday 30th January 2014
quotequote all
msmith0592 said:
The mileage is just over 60k.

I'll source another block and then get the engine rebuilt.

Unfortunately LS conversions are out of my price range.
LS maybe too dear but a Merc E55 engine will be £7,000+vat. So quite a lot cheaper. Just sayin.....

Hmm, another thought. Did you buy privately or through a dealer? If through a dealer then he should be footing the bill/repair under the Sale of Goods Act 1979. Trading Standards will advise.

I too have a '97 4.2 with 60,000 miles so I am taking a particular interest in this. It is also why I started a thread about the Merc conversion following its appearance in Sprint magazine. The Merc thread is here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Now I'm bricking it....weeping

N7GTX

8,274 posts

167 months

Thursday 30th January 2014
quotequote all
leman600 said:
Sorry to hear that story so early.
On ebay there is a 4.2 1999 engine for sale. 1999 means that it has an improved crank I believe and also 'good working order' at that price will probably be well under what you could spend on yours.I think I heard some bell housing mods over time but unsure if any implications. I dont think so?
Incidentally a Cerbera is an AJPV8 and the character of that engine is what makes it so special.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-CERBERA-AJP-ENGINE-4...
The one on Ebay while from a '99 car has no details of the mileage. I have had no dealings with this particular seller and the feedback is good.
I am not sure if this is the same seller that some on here have reservations about? Maybe someone could comment to reassure the OP?

Edited by N7GTX on Thursday 30th January 15:50

Brummmie

5,284 posts

245 months

Thursday 30th January 2014
quotequote all
I bought mine with a snapped crank, mileage was 48000, i have done nearly 30K with LS in...

Byker28i

85,005 posts

241 months

Thursday 30th January 2014
quotequote all
N7GTX said:
Now I'm bricking it....weeping
I'm not - I'm enjoying driving my car

N7GTX

8,274 posts

167 months

Thursday 30th January 2014
quotequote all
Byker28i said:
N7GTX said:
Now I'm bricking it....weeping
I'm not - I'm enjoying driving my car
Ah, but only 50k. So young yet.....