AJP V8 salvage?

[StefT]

Any thoughts on what value to place on an AJP V8 out of a fire damaged (ruptured fuel lines) Cerbera? I've got the opportunity at one with a gearbox from one of my customers. Car was a write-off but I haven't seen how badly damaged it is yet. He tells me it's not seized. Just wondered what sort of value it might have...if it's any good my plan is to get it fully fettled (with some tweaks) and then transplanted into my car. I don't want to piss him off with a silly offer as he's let me have some good deals from other fire damaged Cerbs but I have absolutely no idea what an AJPV8 could be worth.

[Jhonno]

There are engines on eBay for 4-5k..

[ukkid35]

I seem to remember seeing the usual suspects selling 4.2 AJP8 for about £3k - £4k, but that would be with 'warranty'.

If the loom and fuel system has gone then you would need to factor in the replacement cost.

If there's debris in the engine as a result of the fire, then factor in a top end rebuild, and it becomes much more uncertain.

If it's even partially seized then I would suggest it's virtually worthless.

[Jhonno]

ukkid35 said:

If it's even partially seized then I would suggest it's virtually worthless.

I wouldn't go that far, I would buy it for the heads!

[Byker28i]

Jhonno said:

ukkid35 said:

If it's even partially seized then I would suggest it's virtually worthless.

I wouldn't go that far, I would buy it for the heads!

Block as they aren't making them?

[Jhonno]

Byker28i said:

Jhonno said:

ukkid35 said:

If it's even partially seized then I would suggest it's virtually worthless.

I wouldn't go that far, I would buy it for the heads!

Block as they aren't making them?

You can buy new blocks again now I believe.. TVR certainly list them anyway.

But yes, the block all sorts would also be valuable spares.

[julian64]

I bought a fire damaged engine and gearbox on ebay for £1000, and then beat them down to £900 when the engine wouldn't turn.

I ended up getting a new set of 4.7 liners and pistons but the bottom of the engine was fine. Its currently laid out on shelves in my garage ready for my currently engine to go pop.

[ukkid35]

Jhonno said:

Byker28i said:

Jhonno said:

ukkid35 said:

If it's even partially seized then I would suggest it's virtually worthless.

I wouldn't go that far, I would buy it for the heads!

Block as they aren't making them?

You can buy new blocks again now I believe.. TVR certainly list them anyway.

But yes, the block all sorts would also be valuable spares.

If it's partially seized then that is most likely oil starvation - if so in what state are the heads?

Not trying to be clever, I genuinely don't know, do heads survive oil starvation?

[julian64]

ukkid35 said:

If it's partially seized then that is most likely oil starvation - if so in what state are the heads?

Not trying to be clever, I genuinely don't know, do heads survive oil starvation?

I would think any engine that's been in a first would probably be difficult to turn as the oil inside the egine turns into a form of tar. That's certainly what I saw in mine.

However a short period in a soak cleaned it all out.

The one problem I would have with a fire damaged engine though would be the possibility of porosity. Doesn't that happen to aluminium engines when they overheat, or warping?

[Brithunter]

Warping could be an issue. Had this on a Honda 750 FB that had been set light too. The inside of the crankcase had an orange blush to it from the heat. Never managed to get the seal behind the final drive spoket to seal as the case was very slightly distorted.

[julian64]

I don't believe mine got very hot as the head was straight and the rubber seals all survived. even the selector tips in the gearbox were undamaged