Serpentine/Pre-serpentine

[Gerald-TVR]

Just wandered over from the S forum and am curious - I have seen references to serpentine and pre-serpentine engines - what does that mean please

[Bluebottle]

Gerald-TVR said:

Just wandered over from the S forum and am curious - I have seen references to serpentine and pre-serpentine engines - what does that mean please

It refers to the type auxiliary belt;
Pre-serps have an old skool 'v' shaped belt.
Later serpentine engines have a different front engine cover and a flat 7 grooved belt routed in a serpentine shape, they also have a different oil pump and dizzy drive configuration.

[Gerald-TVR]

Great thanks for that i was curious

[spend]

Not exactly accurate, but generally the Serps also have larger mains & big ends (there was a shortish cross over period).

[Bluebottle]

spend said:

Not exactly accurate, but generally the Serps also have larger mains & big ends (there was a shortish cross over period).

Which part wasn't exactly accurate Spend? Most 500's during 93, 94 and early 95 used the 3.9ltr case which have the smaller mains and big ends did they not?

[spend]

There are some exceptions in the early 3.9 RV8's, doubt if they were used in production TVR, but quite poss as a replacement engine?

[900T-R]

I think the big journal cranks only became on line with the 4.6 (=Chim 450)?