I know Sam will be along in a minute to make comment but while its on the bench is it not worth whipping the inlet manifold and heads off. You can then check the cam and followers and replace the head gasket. For a couple of hours work while its on a stand (v. it being a real pain when its in)...

Hi Fett, Not sure how this fits in with the new engine thread etc, but speak to Jim Robinson at JRV8. Incredibly experienced, and an honest chap who will sell you good quality parts that you need and won't sell you expensive parts that you don't. Got all my stuff off him and a really genuine...

You're a miserable bunch sometimes!! Running out of petrol does sound a contender though. I'm guessing by the absence of a response it could well have been the right answer though!

The only thing you'll need to find out is the exact thickness of the shoulder that the retaining plate locates on. Should be able to find that out though easy enough.

It depends on whether the cam has enough meat on it that just hasn't been machined or whether its just not there. I thought about doing the machining - easy enough to do, but there was nothing to machine on mine. Re oil fix - I agree but the hole size is tiny so you lose very little pressure...

I'm not going to agree with Sam's final comment but we've agreed to disagree over tolerances before now ;-) :-) He is right though that any cam shaft can be fitted with a button and at that age I doubt there would have been a retaining plate fitted - it was much later I think before these were...

Cam buttons are simple things - basically the bolt that holds the cam shaft dizzy gear to the cam has a teflon disc on top of the head. One of the known problems on these engines is that there is no positive mechanical system for preventing the cam from moving forward under load. The lobes...

I'm a bit late to this element of the thread but it's provided me with some amusement for the last 10 minutes!! Mark - it might be a bit late now but have you seen the recommended mod for this bit? It takes a pipe from one of the pressurised oil galleries in the oil pump and feeds it up to a...

For this job you can make a tool! Length of studding and make up a series of drifts - different size for each bearing. Make the drift stepped so that it locates the bearing squarely and fits snuggly inside and the shoulder exerts the pressure. Then just wind them out and in again making sure...

If you have spark and fuel then it seems likely that it is timing related (not much else!) Don't know much about these engines but with any electronic system there will be something that tells the system when to spark for which cylinder. The set point is most likely TDC on cylinder 1 as you...

The only way you'll get close is a very high quality pair of internal callipers that adjust by a screw mechanism so you can lock it out. You can then measure that with a micrometer. As James has said you'll need to measure at different places on the bore. The problem with a vernier is that...

Hi Mark, You need a proper internal micrometer to measure the bores. Making something isn't going to work - you'd have to buy one or rent one (i haven't got one or you could come over). For fear of repetition t&l would measure it all up for free after they've dipped it..... Jon

Tumble weed a plenty. Have I accidentally asked a wholly improper question??!

Great. Thanks guys! Might you be prepared to share even a little of your vast bank of knowledge. Don't want anything too challenging, just to get out in the country.

Couple of points. You must use new lifters with your new cam. The bases can get impregnated with old cam material that will trash the new one potentially - not worth the risk. A new chain and gears is not much money - there's too much play in that one as you'd expect. Agree with James...

Evening all, We're up in matlock at the weekend with the 110. Anyone know of good green lanes / spots for off roading? Many thanks Jon

You think I'm bad... Valve to Piston Clearance? - RV8 To be fair I can't really comment on the bottom end too much as the machining on my 3.5 was prohibitively expensive and I ended up buying a reconditioned 3.9 block for £900 with oversized pistons and a reground crank. The block is still...

Balancing is probably just me!

I agree it sounds a lot but the dipping will get all the crud and muck from the oil and waterways. Places I doubt you'll get to by cleaning alone. After that mileage there is bound to be wear isn't there? 0.020 over and you've effectively got a new block in that respect. You can balance the...

I put the pedestals in the oven when the other half is out and then just slide them on with a little oil. The problem is that they are rather soft and compress when you torque up the bolts thus becoming a little oval. Get them up to about 80degs and they just slide one. Real pain to get back...