Anyone got a spare engine in need of a rebuild?!

MartinP · Post by **MartinP** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 3:22 pm

So, after a lot of swearing and stressing about my 'knackered' engine, Max at Revival Cars did a compression test which showed 60/80/80/0.

After changing the burnt out points(!), the car at least started okay and ran better. Yesterday evening, he looked at the valve clearances and they were all wound down tight as anything. Setting the proper gaps suddenly saw all the compression readings come up so that he then had three reading about 120 and one reading 30 instead of zero.

It's a bit more 'rattly' than it was before because of the tappets, but I've been an MGB owner before, so I know what tappet noise is like and can put up with it!

It drives a lot better and accelerates like it did before. When it got properly warm, there are still lots of 'rattling' noises from the engine - in line with it still needing piston rings, but at least it's back on the road for now.

So, a big thank you to Max for easing my immediate stress. I've decided that I now need a spare 912 engine (state and condition doesn't matter), so that I can get it rebuilt as a spare. Then I will drop it in and rebuild the matching no's engine when I have the money in the future. At least that way the car stays on the road and I still keep the matching numbers. Anyone know of a 'cheap' engine?

912uk · Post by **912uk** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 3:27 pm

and we are way off April the 1st

cheap engines

you crack me up

MartinP · Post by **MartinP** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 3:30 pm

Bad turn of phrase I know! I guess putting the word cheap in inverted commas wasn't enough! Well, you never know...

Post by **Bootsy** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 3:36 pm

I'm after one of those cheap 915 boxes if anyones got one laying around!

MartinP · Post by **MartinP** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 3:39 pm

I'm beginning to regret posting that now!

Hey Bootsy - any sign of my membership yet?! By the way, the Club Focus on DDK is appearing in the January issue of Classic & Sports Car...

912uk · Post by **912uk** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 3:42 pm

Arr Tom I had one of those for years no one wanted it so I used it as an anchor in the lake for my 52ft Sunseaker ....sorry bud..

Don't say I don't look out for you..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/912-Pors ... enameZWDVW

BUT!!!!!! take alook at a cheap engine.. yikes!! lovely add on that oil cooler, you know from the we know best lot!!

Martin ..drop that bloody engine and take the heads off!! you might find alot of simple things wrong with it, plus you can take the cylinders off and change the rings and do alsorts from there for under £250 not the correct way to do it but a way to keep the motor going for a few more years giving you space to get saving for a all singing all dancing 130BHP 912 motor..

MartinP · Post by **MartinP** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 3:44 pm

You're right. I know you are. Looks like my Christmas present to myself will be some new piston rings then...

Nige · Post by **Nige** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 3:50 pm

sounds more like valve wear than piston wear, if the others are all healthy I'd suspect a dropped or damaged valve seat. I'd drop the engine now and sort the problem out. The longer you keep it running its potentially going to cost more to put right. Its only going to get worse, if a valve drops you'll be buying more than just piston rings!

912uk · Post by **912uk** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 4:11 pm

agreed I think it's going to be valve problems over rings but as you got it in bits you might as well change them

BUT measure EVERY thing..and take it off the road..

you are only a few bolts way from doing the whole engine but as long as there is no horrid slack or damage you can see and the oil on the oil change is good with no bits of metal in there or lots of ali fileings then your call to use the crank again but I would be happy if all the above was ok. But save up for all new parts and get the motor done right.

Timo · Post by **Timo** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 6:13 pm

lovely add on that oil cooler

Hmmm, what a great way to make an air cooled engine run hot!

Yep I agree with everyone else. Buy yourself a £200 run around if you need to whilst sorting the 912 out. It'll probably be cheaper in the long run.

912uk · Post by **912uk** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 6:36 pm

I sorted out two mates of late with cheap cars one was free a Renault 5 campus and another was a 1.0ltr polo K reg for £200 both getting about and being able to sort out their lives while they do it.

check out that Viz forum cheap motors

Ian Gunney · Post by **Ian Gunney** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 8:13 pm

Martin - I would tend to agree with the others - by the time you find another engine (unlikely to be cheap - especially as you want one) you would probably be better off having yours rebuilt.

Get it done properly and do it once has to be the best way.

Ian

MartinP · Post by **MartinP** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 2:25 pm

Engine coming out next week. Gulp.

Ian - your air filters and gear knob will be in the post very soon!

Thanks

Ian Gunney · Post by **Ian Gunney** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 9:44 pm

Martin - think positively - it will be an even better car once fixed!

Ignore the ££ - you'd only spend it on Christmas presents

louis356 · Post by **louis356** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 9:23 am

Get a big bore kit on it!

Maestro videos are good, even if you're not doing any of the work yourself (he makes it look so easy).

Then blow what you save on a new pair of loons and some flower power sandals to go ith your car.

Rose tinted glasses go well with old Porsches I'm told