Story so far series 1 resto

[fay66]

Standing a long time and lack of lubrication.
My 2c had stood 21 years and although it was checked over (not Stripped) by the person doing the restoration, on my way home after collection with only 27K miles on the clock, it was running ok and not making any nasty noises, but after about 50 miles it started covering the windscreen of my wife's car behind me with an oil mist, it still seemed to be running ok so we carried on,when I got home I had it checked and a broken piston ring and scored a bore was found, necessitating a complete strip down, rebore and oversize pistons, not cheap
If the engine hadn't been stripped and you've got away without a scored bore, I think you've been very lucky.

Brian
8227

[lancianut666]

Update
all the pistons are out and the main cause of a lack of compression is the rings stuck in their grooves, only piston no 4 had a ring loose and this was showing about 50+ psi when tested, why no 1 had a broken ring is unknown I think it was all that spinning over I did. Anyway some of the other rings broke when I tried to take them out as they were well stuck. So a check of the ring gap with some new rings and we might get it back together. The big end journals look OK will have a better look tomorrow.
Clarkey

[frankxhv773t]

If you know an engine has been standing for a seriously long period of time is there anything you can do before turning it over to alleviate the problem of stuck piston rings?

[Dikappa]

Clarkey,  very pleased you finally decided to take the pistons out, as now you will be much more ascertained of a good and lasting result!

[JohnMillham]

If you know an engine has been standing for a seriously long period of time is there anything you can do before turning it over to alleviate the problem of stuck piston rings?

  I have heard of people filling the cylinders with diesel when an engine is left for a long time. I assume it seeps past the rings eventually, but lubricates them on the way.
Regards, John

[the.cern]

I  have used both WD40 and Redex. This is where the V engine is a pain as sometimes only the low side of the piston gets the treatment!!!

                                    Andy

[frankxhv773t]

Thanks for the responses, it's useful to know. I suppose with a v engine you could try to alleviate the problem by jacking the car up nice and high on each side in turn while lubricating each bank.

[lancianut666]

read up on Redex and it no longer has upper cylinder lubricant in it as they reckon modern petrol has it in....

[Jaydub]

No point in fitting new rings without glaze busting the bores beforehand, otherwise the new rings will not bed in. Also measure the rings in the piston grooves, if they are too worn they will pump oil past the inside of the rings. Measure the ring gaps in the cylinder they are going in as they can vary, and gap them to that cylinder. If you`re not reboring and there is a lip, use stepped rings on the top compression ring. Good Luck.

[lancianut666]

Hi all
Hmm... methinks I will have to rebuild the engine on the bench...faffing about under the car trying to keep 60+ years of dust and grit out of the inside of the engine is a recipe for disaster also I think just replacing the rings and big ends is a waste of money now as I want the engine to be as reliable as possible when it is in the car as a quick estimate it will be £300 to do this quick fix. I appreciate the full rebore and regrind will be more expensive but will make more sense financially. So I will get the engine and box out split the block off and get Don's rebore man to sort it out. I can get the crank ground locally.
Clarkey

[lancianut666]

Hi all
bit more progress...the engine and gearbox are out and the block is split from the crankcase...it was quite easy with the aid of an engine crane, some axle stands and a couple of jacks...will post some pics later as I have left the camera at the unit...next job will be to get the crankshaft out, any tips?
Clarkey

[lancianut666]

some pics

[lancianut666]

some more pics

[lancianut666]

and some more...the crank fails the finger nail test on 3 of the journals with only 1 being nice and smooth so it will need a regrind

[will]

When you take the main bearings out to remove the crankshaft.
You need to remove the oil feed pipe as it is bolted through the crankcase
to the main bearing housing.