P38A Project P38

Henry_b said:

Wow the previous owners were big on oil changes and maintenance

best strip it down and clean it out!!

'tis what i'd do!

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My plan exactly, I think whilst it's apart, it'll all be going off to the local engine shop for a bath.

It's got a full service history........

monkfish24 said:

My plan exactly, I think whilst it's apart, it'll all be going off to the local engine shop for a bath.

It's got a full service history........

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I'd re-ring and bearing it while it's apart. plus a new cam and tappets etc etc..

definitely need some strong pimp juice to clean that out!

An FSh!!

damn what oil did they use

Henry_b said:

I'd re-ring and bearing it while it's apart. plus a new cam and tappets etc etc..

definitely need some strong pimp juice to clean that out!

An FSh!!

damn what oil did they use

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Yeah, I think it's definitely due a major overhaul. To be honest, the cam looks good, no major scoring. I've got RAVE on my PC now so I'll check it against tolerances etc.

If I have time, the heads will be coming off, I plan on lifting the heads with the manifolds and just whip them off after when clearance is better, when I rebuild it, It'll be on a stand and go in as a oner then.

Yes that sounds like a plan!

I know i go on, but a cam while it's apart is a no brainer

New gaskets and seals!!

And maybe a lick of paint

Henry_b said:

Yes that sounds like a plan!

I know i go on, but a cam while it's apart is a no brainer

New gaskets and seals!!

And maybe a lick of paint

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Are the cams a weak point on these? Worth going for a slightly better performing cam?

New gaskets are already to go, new HT leads and plugs on order, I'm just about to order all the cooling system items that are worth changing while i'm in this position.
oh and some S/S heatshield bolts

Looks like the seats have been changed for the later 5 bar ones.
and them rockers look well gunged.

The cams can be a bit soft often referred to as chocolate cams but some of the ware can be blocked oil ways feeding it.

monkfish24 said:

Are the cams a weak point on these? Worth going for a slightly better performing cam?

New gaskets are already to go, new HT leads and plugs on order, I'm just about to order all the cooling system items that are worth changing while i'm in this position.
oh and some S/S heatshield bolts

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All Flat tappet cams have a limited life on these new oils becuase of the lack of ZDDP, best pull it and replace it..

As for oil as i just mentioned it, 15w40 diesel oil is good for these engines as it has the detergents required to keep it clean and the Zinc to look after the Cam..

Henry_b said:

An FSh!!

damn what oil did they use

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Crisp 'n dry.

With plenty of mayo

Henry_b said:

All Flat tappet cams have a limited life on these new oils becuase of the lack of ZDDP, best pull it and replace it..

As for oil as i just mentioned it, 15w40 diesel oil is good for these engines as it has the detergents required to keep it clean and the Zinc to look after the Cam..

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Understood! New cam it is then, more decorations for my Garage.

That's interesting on the oil front, I use Rimula R4x 15w-40 on everything at work and it's bloody good stuff, I've never seen any issues on oil analysis time.

monkfish24 said:

Understood! New cam it is then, more decorations for my Garage.

That's interesting on the oil front, I use Rimula R4x 15w-40 on everything at work and it's bloody good stuff, I've never seen any issues on oil analysis time.

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Yes diesel oil is the way to go

And old cams do look good on the wall!

I'm struggling to find a part number for the smaller coolant hose on the bottom front of the inlet manifold. it is a small 90 degree hose that goes into a coolant rail which goes behind the alternator mount, can some one help me find it

It attaches to this spigot.
https://allbrit.de/epc.cfm?PAGE=G02130&CAR=L7&SPRACHE=EN#4

monkfish24 said:

Understood! New cam it is then, more decorations for my Garage.

That's interesting on the oil front, I use Rimula R4x 15w-40 on everything at work and it's bloody good stuff, I've never seen any issues on oil analysis time.

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It is good stuff for older engines. I use mineral 15/40 diesel oil on the Beta Kubotas on the boat, not Rimula, I get it from Qualube, the farm and marine oil suppliers in Cambs.

There is a long blurb in the Beta manuals about why you shouldn't use synthetic or semi synth oils in that type of engine.
I can't be bothered to get the books out at the moment, but IIRC it is to do with bore glazing and loss of compression via the rings.

monkfish24 said:

I'm struggling to find a part number for the smaller coolant hose on the bottom front of the inlet manifold. it is a small 90 degree hose that goes into a coolant rail which goes behind the alternator mount, can some one help me find it

It attaches to this spigot.
https://allbrit.de/epc.cfm?PAGE=G02130&CAR=L7&SPRACHE=EN#4

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If you are struggling, go over to Richards Fuel Injection on the Cardrew Industrial Estate. They sell all kinds of silicone coolant hose cut to length, and have various angles in different diameters. Very useful place.

Turboman said:

It is good stuff for older engines. I use mineral 15/40 diesel oil on the Beta Kubotas on the boat, not Rimula, I get it from Qualube, the farm and marine oil suppliers in Cambs.

There is a long blurb in the Beta manuals about why you shouldn't use synthetic or semi synth oils in that type of engine.
I can't be bothered to get the books out at the moment, but IIRC it is to do with bore glazing and loss of compression via the rings.

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Hello TurboMan, hope all is well with you! I finally had my shotgun cabinet inspection today! As you can see, the freelander has a replacement in the wings

monkfish24 said:

Hello TurboMan, hope all is well with you! I finally had my shotgun cabinet inspection today! As you can see, the freelander has a replacement in the wings

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All good, apart from I have to wait until Monday for CRT to finish rebuilding a lock.

Excellent news about the gun inspection. D and C police are even slower than CRT!

Turboman said:

If you are struggling, go over to Richards Fuel Injection on the Cardrew Industrial Estate. They sell all kinds of silicone coolant hose cut to length, and have various angles in different diameters. Very useful place.

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thank you, I will have a look at them tomorrow, I split the hose when removing it, not an issue, it looked very brittle anyway.

Turboman said:

All good, apart from I have to wait until Monday for CRT to finish rebuilding a lock.

Excellent news about the gun inspection. D and C police are even slower than CRT!

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It's not all their fault, I have been away from home since November and returned home on Thursday so it was nice timing for me.

Found the coolant hose part number!

PEH101500 In case any one cares

A bit of an update for today,
Started stripping down some more on the N/S engine bank. I've removed the rocker shaft, push rods and exhaust manifold.

I tried to see if I could get the head off without removing the exhaust manifold from the head. Nope, I also have damaged the head on the first head bolt I need to remove, typically right at the back of the engine. I only have 12 point sockets and spanners at the moment. I'll try after the weekend with an 8 point socket if I can get my hands on one. After that, it might be a welder job with a piece of metal!

Annoyingly, a 16mm is nearly the same as it's imperial counterpart so I can't hammer an imperial socket on it.