Rimmers engine rebuild kits?

[mole42]

I was looking at another members Stag yesterday, he's had a rebuilt engine which was running beautifully, smooth and quiet. I was reminded that mine is a bit of a basket case, it's done 50,000 miles since I bought it and before that an unknown number of miles since Tony Hart's crew rebuilt it. The car's goinbg in for bodywork later this year, so I might as well take the time to pull the engine and rebuild it. I'd probably regret it later if I didn't!

Looking around, I see the rebuild kit from Rimmers at £2,200 which seems like a reasonable deal. Has anyone used one of their kits and was it good, alright, or bad?

[Goldstar]

I would keep my crank if it didn’t need changing, Richard. If it did I would get one from Trevor at Faversham rather than RB. Save 800 in the first instance.

[mole42]

A good point Paul, the crank looked good when I dropped a bearing to check it a year ago, bearings looked well too with very little wear marking. Bores are alright, it doesn't use much oil at all, it has good oil pressure even at hot idle. The timing gear good, I replaced the chains with JWIS a while ago, they are said to be good for life. I suppose it may be a better option to spend the money on re-conditioning a good pair of heads since that's where most of the noise seems to be coming from. Then re-shell the crank and fit new seals.

[Goldstar]

Sounds like you’re looking for something to do while your car is being fettled. If that’s the case, I need to change a clutch, happy to watch you do it and pass spanners

[DJT]

Richard,

I pulled my engine earlier this year. I had no history of any major work since before 1998 (over 60,000 miles ago) other than me changing the head gaskets in 2014. On stripping it I found no bore wear and no bearing wear. Had the bores honed and rebuilt it using new rings, main and big end bearings - all sourced from LD Parts. The chains were JWIS which I fitted in 2014. These too, along with the guides, were sourced from LD Parts and were good to go again. Might be worth waiting until you have it stripped before splashing out on parts.

[jbuckl]

Source parts & services yourself, use direction help on here.
Strip , inspect & measure before ordering.
get all the base engine rotating / reciprocating parts assembly balanced if possible, using ‘vibration - free’ or similar place with good reputation.
Cleanliness is super important.
avoid dimmers

[Richard G]

Faversham will build you a super engine, I have just bought one from them , I think excellent value , all I have to do is slot it in!

[jbuckl]

Faversham will build you a super engine, I have just bought one from them , I think excellent value , all I have to do is slot it in!

Very high level of critical knowledge / experience there

[mole42]

Thanks guys, some wise words. I might not pull the engine but I’m absolutely thinking about rebuilding the heads.

[flying farmer]

I stripped the one in my estate after removing it from my TR. It had leaking head gaskets.
It had done about 70,000 miles since building it, and needed nothing but timing chains and gaskets, rings and bearings were still perfect.
Worth stripping the heads and checking for valve guide wear and cam bucket wear if your top end is a bit clattery

[mole42]

[QUOTE=flying farmer;n835769
Worth stripping the heads and checking for valve guide wear and cam bucket wear if your top end is a bit clattery[/QUOTE]

That's what I've been thinking, I just had a brief moment of madness when I hear a newly-rebilut Stag engine (fewer than 200 miles on it!) sounding lovely. I'm 99% certain I've got rattly cam buckets and probably guides too so I think I'll look for another pair of heads to rebuild. That'll be much quicker than doing the whole engine!

[StagJonno]

Saw a pair being advertised on Facebook, Triumph Stag Fan Club earlier today.

[Richard G]

That's what I've been thinking, I just had a brief moment of madness when I hear a newly-rebilut Stag engine (fewer than 200 miles on it!) sounding lovely. I'm 99% certain I've got rattly cam buckets and probably guides too so I think I'll look for another pair of heads to rebuild. That'll be much quicker than doing the whole engine!

I do have a pair of heads i may be interested in selling.