The SLOW engine rebuild begins

[20vcqdriver]

Well I now have an engine stand and collected and mounted the spare 7A engine to it. This will eventually replace the 3B block and have been sent in this direction more by chance than design, but having looked at this block it looks like gaining around an extra 100cc should be a simple process and with the planned uprated parts will be strong enough to handle 700bhp. Not that I will ever aim for that kind of power. Will probably also end up (like the rest of the car) as being the longest block refurb ever. But will see...





Looking at the block it appears it is essentially a 2309cc version of my 2226cc 3B block. It has the essential oil squirters and a simple bracket hides the turbo oil return hole...

[Puglife]

None of the three 7A engines I have in my workshop have the Oil return hole, it is simply a flat cast face. Machining the hole there isnt a challenge though so yours might have been done unless it came as standard on earlier or later engines?

Good luck! They can take a relatively large overbore but I think 83.5 or 84mm is the highest you can get.

[Coxy]

http://www.034motorsport.com/turboch...r-p-19679.html

[20vcqdriver]

Originally Posted by Coxy

http://www.034motorsport.com/turboch...r-p-19679.html

That would have been good for your 7A if you had not gone to throttle bodies

Looking at either Wossner or JE pistons with the teflon skirts to reduce friction and dropping to around 8.5:1 to 9:1 ratio. Once block stripped and cleaned I'll need to source pistons before doing anything else so I know what the clearance required is. Been told forged pistons can be noisey though I never noticed that when I had my 2337cc KV. Hoping I can stick to the present bore and just rehone but will have to wait and see.
Going to remove the crank tonight and see what state it's in...
Found quite a few spare seals when I cleared the garage out in March so hope these can now be used.
Will be no doubt requesting the expert eye of Tony on a few parts of the build..

[20vcqdriver]

Originally Posted by Puglife

None of the three 7A engines I have in my workshop have the Oil return hole, it is simply a flat cast face. Machining the hole there isnt a challenge though so yours might have been done unless it came as standard on earlier or later engines?

Good luck! They can take a relatively large overbore but I think 83.5 or 84mm is the highest you can get.

Must be one of the later ones. Lucky though and one less job to do. At least they come with the oil squirters and saves me having to rebore hopefully so long as the forged piston clearance is OK.
Any recommendations for the replacement main and big end stretch bolts?

[20vcqdriver]

Not much today but started stripping the seal housing off and removed NO4 cap to see what state the thrust washers were in. Bearing shell had some scoring but crank itself looks ok. A fair amount of wear on thrust washers but same replacements should sort that out, Seal at flywheel end pretty shot too.

[20vcqdriver]

OK! Tonight the crank came out. Starting with the removal of the oil pump and the remaining main bearing caps. Forgotton how heavy these cranks are little wonder they can handle over 700bhp from the factory
Main bearings are showing wear but not through to the bottom layer and no scoring on the crank fortunately. If I had the funds I would be very tempted to fit the 92.8mm south African petrol crank. But will settle for the increase to 2309cc. Also found a replacement crank seal for the flywheel end so sneaky job at work tomorrow is to remove old clean housing and fit the new.. You can also now see the oil squirters clearly. These will also be comng out along with the core plugs if I can figure out how....


Will be fitting a new oil pump so this is going straight in the bin!

[20vcqdriver]

Well managed to find the time to refurb the rear seal housing. Amazing what a clean in the tank at work can do. Fitting the large rear seal was a pain and ended up using the press to ensure it went in square. Still need to get these core plugs out and enquire with the engineering company in Neston regards dropping the block into their big ultrasonic cleaning tanks...

[type44s]

Great thread.

[jogi730]

Good to see you're starting the build David.
Keep the updates and pics coming as it is always great to see progress and how things are done.
Good luck with the build mate!