P38A Top End Refresh, or...

Is it worth doing on a 125k Block?

New

#1 Cam

#2 Lifters

#3 Pushrods

#4 chain and sprockets

#5 etc etc etc


would it be worth doing on a 17yr old engine??

Before she was parked the old lump ran ok, no harsh noises but for peace of mind i'm thinking about gathering the parts.

Any thoughts?

or would it be better to get a Short engine and build it up?, sounds like fun

Renewing the top end will probably knock the bottom end out.

Take the lump out and do it properly. Roughly what I have spent so far on mine, but I did not need the lifters & pushrods. These are not exact prices, but rough numbers when I was budgeting last year. Also sump gasket only required Thor engine, but I bought the kit because the other seals worked out cheaper !!

pwood999 said:

Take the lump out and do it properly. Roughly what I have spent so far on mine, but I did not need the lifters & pushrods. These are not exact prices, but rough numbers when I was budgeting last year. Also sump gasket only required Thor engine, but I bought the kit because the other seals worked out cheaper !!

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Brilliant thanks for that.

Would it be worth having top hat liners pressed in while the lump is apart?

That's up to you. Mine didn't need it. Previous owner had "misfire issues", but I suspected overheat at some point because thermostat was wedged open !! it was actually head gasket fail between cylinders 2 & 4 & leaky core plugs. So I had block & heads pressure tested, replaced all core plugs and did 9-thou skim on heads to get them flat again. 8 out of 20 head bolt threads needed heli-coil, probably due to over tighten from PO trying to fix the water problems. Did all just in case, and gone use ARP Studs the nI put heads back.

When i did my hgs i also replaced my rockers wish i had done the cam and followers but hayho all has been fine

Only thing I'm not keen on is arp studs. New stretch bolts every time. I certainly would put top hats in. Other things I would make assessments when there removed.
I would replace the oil pump/FRONT COVER as a matter of course.

johnnyb70 said:

Only thing I'm not keen on is arp studs. New stretch bolts every time. I certainly would put top hats in. Other things I would make assessments when there removed.
I would replace the oil pump/FRONT COVER as a matter of course.

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thanks i plan on replacing as much as possible

Would it be worth adding a CAM? like a Piper 285?

Henry_b said:

thanks i plan on replacing as much as possible

Would it be worth adding a CAM? like a Piper 285?

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Replacing as much as possible? How about replacing the whole lump with a decent engine?

Datatek said:

Replacing as much as possible? How about replacing the whole lump with a decent engine?

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Yes that is an option too..

Henry_b said:

Yes that is an option too..

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The M51 fits treat and the M57 also goes in. Just think of the fuel economy and reliability

Datatek said:

The M51 fits treat and the M57 also goes in. Just think of the fuel economy and reliability

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Aye yes i'd be all for a diesel, if this diesel malarkey wasn't going on..

Heart of hearts i'd love a Diesel P38..

Datatek said:

Replacing as much as possible? How about replacing the whole lump with a decent engine?

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I wonder if a 6Cyl 2.5 Diesel would fit in there?
What do you think? Would it be a good way to go?

Nah the V8 is staying in this one thank you very much!!

Even though..

1 it leaks like a sieve

2 always breaks

3 thirstier than anything, i doubt you could pour petrol away quicker.

The v8s don't drink fuel my old 1500cc Cortina drinks fuel 8mpg

Henry_b said:

Heart of hearts i'd love a Diesel P38..

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GET OUT

myfirstl322 said:

GET OUT

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why

Henry_b said:

why

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For using Lady Di phraseology...