She's back at last......
Discussion
After 6 looong months I picked the Cerb up from TVRCraft on Saturday. For those who don't frequent the Sp6 forum, I decided to have the head modified to as close to Al Mellings original design as possible as the engine was showing signs of valve train wear.
I also ended up having the clutch replaced, the crank re-balanced, the small ends re-bushed and the head ported and gas flushed - well, in for a penny.....!
Have only done 200 miles at running in pace but the engine feels much smoother and is noticeably quieter at tickover (especially when cold). And it sounds even better than before
Will report on progress on the Sp 6 forum but just felt like telling my fellow Cerbers as I've once more got a grin a la proverbial moggy from Cheshire!
Cheers, JT
I also ended up having the clutch replaced, the crank re-balanced, the small ends re-bushed and the head ported and gas flushed - well, in for a penny.....!
Have only done 200 miles at running in pace but the engine feels much smoother and is noticeably quieter at tickover (especially when cold). And it sounds even better than before
Will report on progress on the Sp 6 forum but just felt like telling my fellow Cerbers as I've once more got a grin a la proverbial moggy from Cheshire!
Cheers, JT
Well........there's the slightly more than $64 question!
The basic head mods and re-build is £5k + the VAT, the other stuff added another couple of k. The pros and cons of my (and others) decision have ben discussed as infinitum elsewhere - having done a fair bit of research and after visiting the people at Craft I'm pleased with my decision thus far - I'm the first to say that the proof will be in several thousand miles time.
It's a lot of cash but I bought the car with a view to investing in the engine if required (not a universally held view!) - it was either that or sell it on to an unsuspecting punter when I spotted the problem and that's not right in my book.
JT
The basic head mods and re-build is £5k + the VAT, the other stuff added another couple of k. The pros and cons of my (and others) decision have ben discussed as infinitum elsewhere - having done a fair bit of research and after visiting the people at Craft I'm pleased with my decision thus far - I'm the first to say that the proof will be in several thousand miles time.
It's a lot of cash but I bought the car with a view to investing in the engine if required (not a universally held view!) - it was either that or sell it on to an unsuspecting punter when I spotted the problem and that's not right in my book.
JT
Well done JT, I for one wait to hear how the new engine goes when fully run in and has a few thousand behind it, as I run probably the lowest mileage Speed 6 Cerb left, 2001 and only 11.5k on the clock. I take good care of it but am awaiting the inevitable valve train problems.
You must have spent close to £8k on the engine....errr....does anyone know what a new Speed 6 engine from Blackpool or TVR Power would cost?
>> Edited by CiderwithCerbie on Tuesday 13th December 12:19
You must have spent close to £8k on the engine....errr....does anyone know what a new Speed 6 engine from Blackpool or TVR Power would cost?
>> Edited by CiderwithCerbie on Tuesday 13th December 12:19
Glad to hear I'm not the only one with a car sat a TVRCraft. It's been there almost as long as yours. In their defence they have had to find a new head and camshaft. Not sure I want to see the bill this side of Xmas! At least I can't ponder what a new 4.5 would cost as I don't beleive they make them anymore.
With hindsight I would have seriously looked at fitting some other engine.
With hindsight I would have seriously looked at fitting some other engine.
mudstud said:
Clutch was the last piece of the jigsaw. TVRCraft had someone who was going to make clutches for them but they backed out at the last minute prolonging the wait!
So the TVRCraft rebuild your own clutch solution is out the window now! For good?
>> Edited by spartacus on Wednesday 14th December 18:19
J.T. said:
Don't believe this is necessarily the case and there is better news in the shape of a new higher spec clutch which they are hoping to source in the New Year.
Not for me to say too much more but if you're interested (and I would be) then give Dave a call at TVRCraft.
JT
Ok, that sound bit more promising, don't need one at the moment, touch wood, but I'm sure I will some time as I am at 24k miles on original clutch in a early 4.2!
I know Ian (Red Rose) fairly well now as our cars have been thought the same development time frame and am gutted for him. I saw his block when I picked up the Cerb 10 days ago.
I haven't had the new spec rods - you got to draw the line somewhere - I know the rev limiter on my car works but we may consider knocking it down a few rpms to 7k as a safey measure. With a few more horses and RR cam settings I don't think it will be an issue
JT
I haven't had the new spec rods - you got to draw the line somewhere - I know the rev limiter on my car works but we may consider knocking it down a few rpms to 7k as a safey measure. With a few more horses and RR cam settings I don't think it will be an issue
JT
gazzab said:
did you get con rods upgraded ? You will see that Red Roses S6 has just failed post a TVRCraft rebuild due to the con rods (the last weak link in the chain).
Two things - cause and effect.
I think you should wait till the post mortem before making statements like that. The S6 has enough identity problems with adding to the list.
Daftlad said:
did you get con rods upgraded ? You will see that Red Roses S6 has just failed post a TVRCraft rebuild due to the con rods (the last weak link in the chain).
Two things - cause and effect.
I think you should wait till the post mortem before making statements like that. The S6 has enough identity problems with adding to the list.
I simply stated what was stated by Redrose himself and others on the thread? Suggest you read the thread.
gazzab said:
did you get con rods upgraded ? You will see that Red Roses S6 has just failed post a TVRCraft rebuild due to the con rods (the last weak link in the chain).
Two things - cause and effect.
I think you should wait till the post mortem before making statements like that. The S6 has enough identity problems with adding to the list.
I simply stated what was stated by Redrose himself and others on the thread? Suggest you read the thread.
I did and agree the conrod is no longer serviceable. No one concluded yet if this was the cause of the engine failure or if this was collateral damage from another failure. It may eaqually have been caused as a result of a bearing seizing on a crank.
spartacus said:
Clutch was the last piece of the jigsaw. TVRCraft had someone who was going to make clutches for them but they backed out at the last minute prolonging the wait!
For good?
>> Edited by spartacus on Wednesday 14th December 18:19
Seems so. Having tried to go down that route, I wouldn't expect a clutch rebuild from TVRCraft anytime soon.
I can tell any 4.2 clutch owners that Topcats now have the facility to use a 4.5 clutch in a 4.2 bellhousing, so you should only need to get a flywheel and clutch rather than the rest of the kit, and save yourself a fair few hundred quid if you need to go down that route.
It's in my Cerb at the moment, but I won't be around till after xmas to pick her up, so I can't say what it feels like. I have been assured that it is working perfectly though.
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