Attn Badger

Re 4.6 block cracking, what would the cost be to top-hat liner a block?
Also I have read that Rover V8s should be run at around 80deg.C. That
seems impossible to achieve on a P38a seeing as the thermostat is a
96deg one & is sealed. Would it be possible to make an ally thermostat
housing to replace the std plastic one & allow a replacement thermostat
to be fitted?

Cheers,
Chris.

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Re 4.6 block cracking, what would the cost be to top-hat liner a block?
> Also I have read that Rover V8s should be run at around 80deg.C. That
> seems impossible to achieve on a P38a seeing as the thermostat is a
> 96deg one & is sealed. Would it be possible to make an ally thermostat
> housing to replace the std plastic one & allow a replacement thermostat
> to be fitted?
>
> Cheers,
> Chris.

Top-hat linered blocks are around £950 exchange, for the bare block only!
They ain't cheap, any that are cheaper I wouldn't risk using 'cos they're
cheaper for a reason!! There are certain firms that produce an excellent
product, others that I wouldn't touch with a barge-pole (having been stung
by a company in Devon once already).
As for thermostats, it's not a std 'stat, it works by comparison of temps on
the inlet, outlet and re-circ lines. As far as I know there is no
alternative, as yet. Not because of the housing manufacturing requirementas,
but the availability ofthe 'stat itself. Most P38 (and Disco II) engines
seem to run at around 92/93 degrees, 96 is the fully-open temp, not the
opening point. An 82 degree 'stat is whaat I recommend for earlier engines,
but the later management systems, Motronic and Gems, might see this as an
engine not at working temp and alter the fuelling un-necessarily, not a good
thing. My own 110 (4.7 top-hat linered, thor inlet with re-mapped hybrid
14cux hotwire efi system) runs at 79 degrees (idle) and 86 degrees at a
steady 70mph, with an 82 degree 'stat.
Badger.

Badger wrote:
> <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Re 4.6 block cracking, what would the cost be to top-hat liner a block?
> > Also I have read that Rover V8s should be run at around 80deg.C. That
> > seems impossible to achieve on a P38a seeing as the thermostat is a
> > 96deg one & is sealed. Would it be possible to make an ally thermostat
> > housing to replace the std plastic one & allow a replacement thermostat
> > to be fitted?
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Chris.
>
> Top-hat linered blocks are around £950 exchange, for the bare block only!
> They ain't cheap, any that are cheaper I wouldn't risk using 'cos they're
> cheaper for a reason!! There are certain firms that produce an excellent
> product, others that I wouldn't touch with a barge-pole (having been stung
> by a company in Devon once already).
> As for thermostats, it's not a std 'stat, it works by comparison of tempson
> the inlet, outlet and re-circ lines. As far as I know there is no
> alternative, as yet. Not because of the housing manufacturing requirementas,
> but the availability ofthe 'stat itself. Most P38 (and Disco II) engines
> seem to run at around 92/93 degrees, 96 is the fully-open temp, not the
> opening point. An 82 degree 'stat is whaat I recommend for earlier engines,
> but the later management systems, Motronic and Gems, might see this as an
> engine not at working temp and alter the fuelling un-necessarily, not a good
> thing. My own 110 (4.7 top-hat linered, thor inlet with re-mapped hybrid
> 14cux hotwire efi system) runs at 79 degrees (idle) and 86 degrees at a
> steady 70mph, with an 82 degree 'stat.
> Badger.


Thanks for the comprehensive reply Badger
Perhaps it's time to come up with an alternative?

Cheers,
Chris.

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

Badger wrote:
> <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Re 4.6 block cracking, what would the cost be to top-hat liner a block?
> > Also I have read that Rover V8s should be run at around 80deg.C. That
> > seems impossible to achieve on a P38a seeing as the thermostat is a
> > 96deg one & is sealed. Would it be possible to make an ally thermostat
> > housing to replace the std plastic one & allow a replacement thermostat
> > to be fitted?
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Chris.
>
> Top-hat linered blocks are around £950 exchange, for the bare block only!
> They ain't cheap, any that are cheaper I wouldn't risk using 'cos they're
> cheaper for a reason!! There are certain firms that produce an excellent
> product, others that I wouldn't touch with a barge-pole (having been stung
> by a company in Devon once already).
> As for thermostats, it's not a std 'stat, it works by comparison of temps
on
> the inlet, outlet and re-circ lines. As far as I know there is no
> alternative, as yet. Not because of the housing manufacturing
requirementas,
> but the availability ofthe 'stat itself. Most P38 (and Disco II) engines
> seem to run at around 92/93 degrees, 96 is the fully-open temp, not the
> opening point. An 82 degree 'stat is whaat I recommend for earlier
engines,
> but the later management systems, Motronic and Gems, might see this as an
> engine not at working temp and alter the fuelling un-necessarily, not a
good
> thing. My own 110 (4.7 top-hat linered, thor inlet with re-mapped hybrid
> 14cux hotwire efi system) runs at 79 degrees (idle) and 86 degrees at a
> steady 70mph, with an 82 degree 'stat.
> Badger.


Thanks for the comprehensive reply Badger
Perhaps it's time to come up with an alternative?

I did with my own engine, I modified the front face of the inlet manifold
and did away with the 90 degree metal pipe from the P38, fitting a "normal"
thermostat and standard housing. No space to do the same on a std p38
however, due to clearance issues with the rest of the gubbins that's bolted
to the front of the engine. (Mine has a classic style front timing cover
etc.)
Badger.