Up date on engine rebuild advice

[Tim Ward]

Hello all

I posted a post a couple of weeks ago about rebuilding my engine by myself or taking to a local engine rebuilder "Welham Motors"

My engine has been stripped and i found out the engine had been rebuilt previously. Must have been when it was nearly new, as I have the history going back a long way.

I was correct in my thoughts the head gaskets had gone, and the heads were a right bu---r to remove. A couple of studs snapped and one had to be hacksawed. I have asked them to check and rebuild as required, bearing in mind I don't want an item to fail which is easily changed whilst in bits.

They had used their usual vintage parts supplier to quote for bits. I looked and priced for the same from club suppliers. For example I can a piston set for nearly £ 300 cheaper.

As a trained mechanic admittedly over 25 years ago I am glad let the rebuilders do it. It will cost me more but they are quicker and have all the tools on site to grind, rebore and tuftride. To make my self feel less guilty I am in the process of spraying the engine bay. Primer is due to be flatened asap. Also it means that I can use my Stag over the summer and enjoy it.


Tim

[jbuckl]

Hi Tim, this is interesting, so a few questions:-

How much are the pistons, and what make?

Do your people 'sub-out' the tuftriding / nitro-carburising? (Usually a large furnace plant is required)

Do they really have crank grinding onsite? (at 'welham motors')

Over here (good) crank grinding is getting harder to find.

Julian

[Tim Ward]

Julian

Hi haven't brought the pistons yet, I was getting price comparisons. The pistons I looked at are from EJ Wards, so I assume they are well tested.

The do sub out the tuftriding, from what they say it's a unit around the corner from them.

Yes there is a crank grinder on site, I looked at my crank on the machine.

They do tend to specialise now in diesels, but have been going since 1946 so have done lots off petrol engines over the years. The work force there are very helpful and senior.
The chap who stripped my engine stopped his dinner break and spoke to me on site for 1/2 hour explaining what he had done, and what he was planning to do. Very happy so far with the service

Tim