How to tell a genuine big valve??

[bigee]

Apart from a sticker on the plenum,is there any way to confirm if a car is a genuine bv?someone once told me that the engine number would have a 'v' at the end,is this correct?I await your knowledgable responses!!

[griffter]

bigee said:

Apart from a sticker on the plenum,is there any way to confirm if a car is a genuine bv?someone once told me that the engine number would have a 'v' at the end,is this correct?I await your knowledgable responses!!

Someone will give a much better answer than me, but:

I believe 'V' means big valve, but does NOT guarantee it. Also not all BV's are 'V' engines. So that's useful...

Official and original factory or (at a push dealer) documentation is about as much proof as you'll get, but at the end of the day the only sure-fire way is to take the heads off. If you've got a specific car in mind you could try contacting the factory or TVR Power. Even this is questionable however; a previous owner of my car was told 'yes' by the factory and 'no' by TVR power.

If a 'no' crops up anywhere it's probably not a BV.

[griffter]

bigee said:

Apart from a sticker on the plenum,is there any way to confirm if a car is a genuine bv?someone once told me that the engine number would have a 'v' at the end,is this correct?I await your knowledgable responses!!

Someone will give a much better answer than me, but:

I believe 'V' means big valve, but does NOT guarantee it. Also not all BV's are 'V' engines. So that's useful...

Official and original factory or (at a push dealer) documentation is about as much proof as you'll get, but at the end of the day the only sure-fire way is to take the heads off. If you've got a specific car in mind you could try contacting the factory or TVR Power. Even this is questionable however; a previous owner of my car was told 'yes' by the factory and 'no' by TVR power.

If a 'no' crops up anywhere it's probably not a BV.

[shpub]

Take it apart and measure the valves is the only guarenteed 100% method. Checking with the factory and TVR Power is the next stage and then its go througfh any history. V in the engine numbers, BV engine plaques etc are all unreliable methods and should not be taken on their own. BTW there are now more alleged BV cars than ever left the factory so buyer beware!

[stesrg]

mines a 100 percent big valve cos I fetteled to one using tvrs s/steel big uns.....
Ste.

[antonyj]

So what is the difference in the valve sizes?

For instance what will be in my 4.0 and what would be in a BV?


Just curious

[bigee]

Thanks for the replys guys,i take it that saying what it is in the original handbook is a bit too simplistic then?

[stesrg]

antonyj said:

So what is the difference in the valve sizes? For instance what will be in my 4.0 and what would be in a BV? Just curious

Do not quote me on this but std would be arround 42.mm something or round abouts, and BV would be about 45.mm something ish
Ste.

[2 Smokin Barrels]

bigee said:

Thanks for the replys guys,i take it that saying what it is in the original handbook is a bit too simplistic then?

..when my 95 Chimaera was new, the hand book showed reverse gear where it wasn't! So I wouldn't rely on the hand book!

[griffter]

bigee said:

Thanks for the replys guys,i take it that saying what it is in the original handbook is a bit too simplistic then?

If it's in the same hand and ink as the rest of the details it could be persuasive - but not necessarily proof as it could be 'forged'. If the seller's asking BV money they really ought to be able to prove the provenance beyond any doubt.

[bigee]

Cheers guys,I am awaiting info from Blackpool to see if car is genuine,i guess thats the only sure way to tell?