P38A Project Car - 1998 Autobiography Engine Rebuild

n/s head removed today. Actually looks in good order, so didn't bother doing pictures. All liners look ok, with non of the usual wear ridges at top. Considering lifting out the bottom end so I can check all the pistons, rings, bearings, etc.

I have a discounted engine stand on order (son works at All Parts), but need to tidy back of garage to reach the engine hoist.

after spending most of the day removing the rusty side steps from mates L322 . . .

Removed exhaust manifolds from my P38. Nearside was easy, but offside bolts were completely rusted. Two sheared studs to be sorted next.

Never seen a head gasket blown like this before.
Still gotta clean up and see if there's any other damage . . . but that's another day. 2 pics attached for your entertainment.

View attachment 100314 View attachment 100315[/QUOTE]
i think you have something living in one of your bores,looks like that gasket has been eaten.

Plenty of heat and a stud extractor will get them out, looks an easy job. You could try welding nuts on the studs if you have welding gear, again plenty of heat.

paul58 said:

Never seen a head gasket blown like this before.
Still gotta clean up and see if there's any other damage . . . but that's another day. 2 pics attached for your entertainment.

View attachment 100314 View attachment 100315

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i think you have something living in one of your bores,looks like that gasket has been eaten.[/QUOTE]
Not uncommom

paul58 said:

Never seen a head gasket blown like this before.
Still gotta clean up and see if there's any other damage . . . but that's another day. 2 pics attached for your entertainment.

View attachment 100314 View attachment 100315

Click to expand...

i think you have something living in one of your bores,looks like that gasket has been eaten.[/QUOTE]

Looks normal for a gasket blow, had 2 on mine went this way.

Update time . . . finally got around to taking the block out. what a b'stard those TQ housing bolts are to get at . Must try the "ratchet strap around bell-housing & chassis" method for the re-install. supporting the gearbox on spare axle stand is a pain.

Anyway no pics yet, but now the block is hanging from the crane in the garage waiting for 3/8 UNC bolts to fix it to the engine stand. Then it's gonna be clean, strip & clean more for the entire engine.

Pic-1: Found the reason why the engine never got warm !! Not sure the bolt inside the thermostat is standard fitment these days.

Pic-2: Block now mounted on new engine stand ready for stripping down.

Pic-3: Any suggestions for cleaning the crud properly ??



Block mounted on engine stand ready for stripping down.

Gunk and jet wash.

Before or after stripping the block ?? Given that Im going to clean everything maybe it can't hurt to gunk & jet wash first ?

pwood999 said:

Before or after stripping the block ?? Given that Im going to clean everything maybe it can't hurt to gunk & jet wash first ?

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Well you could clean after stripping but it would be easier on the engine stand, outside of course.

. . .and there was me gonna take it upstairs & put it in the shower

mrs won't let me use the dishwasher either !!

pwood999 said:

. . .and there was me gonna take it upstairs & put it in the shower

mrs won't let me use the dishwasher either !!

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What!!! divorce her.

Just wait till she`s out then wack it in the washer, jobs a goodun she will never know

Finally got time for some progress. Stripped block & heads into numbered storage.

Then 1st clean of Block, Heads, Sump, Inlet Manifold & Cam-chain Housing. Used HG Oven Gill & BBQ cleaner, followed by excessive jet wash to make sure no cleaner remained on surfaces inside & out.

Next job is to get a couple of block threads re-helicoiled ready for head studs.
Also need to check heads properly, and maybe get them skimmed. My measurements show 0.08mm warp, but LR spec is 0.05mm max. Really need engineers rule, rather than my 25yr old 600mm flexible steel rule !!

Bottom end numbered storage. Also have large drawers for other bottom end parts.


Top End storage:


Gotta figure out what to re-paint Sump with:


Water feeds have also been cleared since the photo.


Inlet manifold still needs more cleaning with Carb Cleaner.

Also I've been browsing Island4x4 for parts.

Anybody got experience of the OEM vs Britpart piston rings ?? £12.50 vs £5.25 respectively, so does that indicate quality ?

Also same question for Big End & Main bearings ?

MrGorsky has an engineer's rule nearby ...

Block pressure tested today. Got leak around one liner, plus several core plugs. The core plugs look like they were replaced recently, so hopefully the issue is insufficient cleanup before they were fitted. Might need to do these first, as HT Howard said they struggled to get enough pressure to be sure about the other 7 liners. Waiting for quote on per bore liner replacement tomorrow.

Otherwise I might have to risk a 2nd hand engine from eBay, and go through the cleaning process again

Pete

Might as well just throw in an LS motor, all of the cool kids are doing it.