P38A what next?

Hi
As some of you know, I've been going through the trials and tribblations of p38 ownership and finally worked out i was sold a line and the engine is foobared
It's an otherwise average/reasonable example of ap38 otherwise but still needs plenty of work to get into what i would describe as good, reliable service. More than I'm able to put in, given the engine woes.
That said, someone i know has expressed interest in it, knowing all the work I've done and *all* the issues and work left
This all means I've not learned my lesson and am thinking already about a replacement!
But I'm not sure exactly what I'm looking for and what i should be looking to pay. I do want another p38 and i do want a v8. There seem to be examples around with top hats, in various states of repair and at various prices. As you know I'm not scared of spanners and not afraid to put effort in but don't really want another endless mire.
Any suggestions? Am i mad if i look for something that's been better looked after? I originally bought the p38 thinking I'd have a reasonably reliable main vehicle, albeit with a regular maintenance schedule

Given your choices I’d say you either stick with the one you know, or get a different one with heads/liners just done and start from there.
If you want reliable runaround then diesel it is but you won’t like that.
With prices on P38 petrols creeping up and L322 going down, if it has to go I’d consider your options.

Keep it all in one thread from the beginning is my view, hard to keep track with you it’s spread out

Sorry, I've tried to keep threads related but separate. Happy to have one rambling thread though!
Generally I'm of the opinion that is better the devil you know, but in this case i don't have the time or space to do an engine swap and getting someone to do it would be cost prohibitive, i reckon!
As for the L322 I've heard even worse stories, even more to go wrong and more expensive to fix. Plus the p38 has a chassis and looks nicer that the L322. Just my opinion

I'd get the 2A up and running again but as much as I'd love it, it's not an all weather daily driver! Even though it was always spot on reliable!!

Grrr has been on the look out for a nice V8 for some time as are few others - you will likely be bidding against each other, Enry lar manages a few miles every few years with his, Bagshot sold his M51 and bought great find 4.6 then disappeard never to be seen again, Monkfish did the heads, then stripped it again to find minute liner/block issues,

@domino has success, also 4.0.
@ukadamwest

I'm not hip to your situation Kermit?

Whats wrong with it?

The short version. Exhaust gases gases in the coolant, took me ages to diagnose because it was only happening sometimes and even now only happens over 94c.
Previously had the heads off and no evidence of steam cleaning that folks have said to look for but can only assume the block is cracked somewhere.
Coolant pressure test when cold shows as ok

kermit_rr said:

The short version. Exhaust gases gases in the coolant, took me ages to diagnose because it was only happening sometimes and even now only happens over 94c.
Previously had the heads off and no evidence of steam cleaning that folks have said to look for but can only assume the block is cracked somewhere.
Coolant pressure test when cold shows as ok

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Any coolant loss?

No.
But i don't drive it far.
Last test i did, started from cold with the cap off, no problem until 94c then bubbles started and squeezing the top hose helped them come through into the expansion tank, had chemical test ready and it changed colour within seconds. At this point it would have started chucking coolant out with the bubbles if i hadn't turned it off. Especially if i wasnt encouraging the air out

kermit_rr said:

No.
But i don't drive it far.
Last test i did, started from cold with the cap off, no problem until 94c then bubbles started and squeezing the top hose helped them come through into the expansion tank, had chemical test ready and it changed colour within seconds. At this point it would have started chucking coolant out with the bubbles if i hadn't turned it off. Especially if i wasnt encouraging the air out

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A cracked block on the V8 allows water past the liners, which either punches through the headgasket or down into the sump.

It is also accompanied with a "tap" when hot, the notorious "liner drop"

I'd hazard either headgasket or the head(s) are warped.

Were they checked?

What headgasket did you use?

Checked the heads with a steel rule and a feeler gauge, all seemed ok. There was no obvious issue when i took the old head gaskets off, they looked in good order. I know that's not professionally measured for flatness but thought would be good enough
No idea on the gaskets i put on, whatever the indy supplied. Red on one side if i recall

Composite i hope.

New stretch bolts?

Yes composite. I thought you meant a brand name etc and yes all new bolts.. in the right order!

A good P38, with a nice V8, not a diesel "crate", is best for you mate.

DanClarke said:

A good P38, with a nice V8, not a diesel "crate", is best for you mate.

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No such thing as a "nice V8", nasty liner slipping gas guzzling things.

Datatek said:

No such thing as a "nice V8", nasty liner slipping gas guzzling things.

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Awww Keith, mine is a very nice V8. No liners slipped so far.

DanClarke said:

A good P38, with a nice V8, not a diesel "crate", is best for you mate.

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Diesel, smelly horrid rattly things
I'm not a turbo fan either! They're just put on engines that are not fit for purpose

DanClarke said:

Awww Keith, mine is a very nice V8. No liners slipped so far.

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V8's always sound like they have a missfire to me and the have one too many cylinder heads.

Crossplane crank FTW!!!

kermit_rr said:

Diesel, smelly horrid rattly things
I'm not a turbo fan either! They're just put on engines that are not fit for purpose

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Can't hear the engine on mine above 30mph except under hard acceleration