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TBR Engine Tips

Re-build tips

High-revving piston engines are hard on conrods. Before assembly, have the rods X-rayed and crack-tested. Any internal forging voids will be spotted and if the same company does all of the work the cost won't be a great deal higher than just having them crack tested.

Crankshafts should always be stored straight up on a level surface. A crank that's stored on it's side can end up bent, especially if subject to large temperature changes.

Bolts need clean threads to produce accurate torque readings. This is especially important in the case of cylinder head bolts. As part of a re-build, run a tap through every bolt hole in the block.

Professional engine builders never install new lifters without first scuffing the lifter bores with a bore hone. This is just a quick scuff to take the glaze off the bore walls.

Safe sand blasting

When sending cylinder heads away for sand blasting, unless you're having new valve guides fitted, then plug the valve guides with Blu-Tack to protect them from abrasion.

Fault Finding

A leak down test is the best way to find problem. But if you know what cylinder is bad just put compressed air into the spark plug hole with the crank indexed so that both valves are closed. Then just listen to where the air comes out:

Also remove spark plug and listen to adjacent cylinders to check if the head gasket is not blown between cylinders and that cylinders valves are open (or loosen rockers to insure valves are closed).




Any problems?, bertrand@omen.net.au.