Series 3 Engine thoughts

My SWB 88 petrol is part way through a Restoration of sorts!
it always was rather smokey so thinking of doing some engine work whilst the engine is out.
The Engine is on a Stand at the moment so i don't have the option of doing a Compression Test.
Thinking Of taking the head off, visually checking the Bores and sending the Head off for new Valve Guides etc...
Its the 3brg engine and i would really like to get both Crank seals done, should i give these ago myself or take it somewhere?

any top tips massively appreciated as i am new to all of this.

many thanks

plenty of pics will get better advice

Will Do!
hoping to to take head off tomorrow. will grab photos of Bores.
100% want to check timing time, & Cam followers.

Yes please for pictures, you’re engine is an iconic engineering design. There’s all sorts of solutions depending on the problem.

need to get Some photos.
So Today progress,
Head off - dropping straight to local Places for check over.
timing cover off, Front polly off (Not Fun)
Sump off and a 1/2" thick layer of gunky reside that feels Course.....
Cleaned top of Cylinders to reveal +40 on Pistons - Bores are looking ok no Obvious marks or ridges at top.
Tomorrow going to take end cap of con rod & look at Wear.

https://www.turnerengineering.co.uk/Article-2.25PetrolEngineRebuild
Good read also good for parts https://www.turnerengineering.co.uk/Article-2.25PetrolEngineRebuild

Have a look here have you got all the micrometers and internal bore measurement tools that’s a necessity

that's a great write up,
considering Completely stripping engine at home then taking Block / Pistons / Crank / Cam shaft to be tested & rebuilt at local Engine place.
not set up with all the prissisioin tools and need to strike a balance on Time & Cost.
those Crank Seals are a little intimidating also...

Good site I used it for my 200tdi rebuild , I measured bores and Journal diameters and shown minimal wear, James knows his stuff and helped answer those queries for me
With 40thou pistons in no more rebores possible but hopefully ok
A good check is put rings in bores and check gaps with feelers
Put some pics up of shell bearings off crank and Conrods if you see some copper then time to change

Would +40 on pistons not indicate that bottom half of engine been refurbed before, could end up a lot of expense not needed. When did your engine smoke, could just be valves, guides and valve stem seals I would look to invest in unleaded converted head if it was me

ok some Photos.(Hopefully it works)
Pistons - dirty relatively ok? one has scoring on side? piston rings look gummed up.
Cylinder bores - much better that was expecting - only a rally really small lip at top hardly feel it with finger.
Main Bearings - showing wear
Con Rod Bearing looks like starting to wear.
Tappet Followers Photos ion the Best one!!
Camshaft ????? Strange flat edge on one bearing face.
Timing gear????

started to investigate some prices for bits....
Bearmarch
Britpart
AllMakes

then Turners

Price wise Vs Quality = looking at the the Tappet Followers such a range of prices?

It Looks like not been too long since pistons in as they look clean past rings and bearings not too worn although it looks like dirty oil has caused the scoring on bearing surfaces but no copper showing
I cleaned mine with 1000 wet/dry
Is the ridge at top of bore just the carbon
the flat on cam bearing 1 is to pump oil up to rocker shaft
Re parts you get what u pay for , I did read somewhere about collapsing cheapy brass tappet slide
https://www.defendersource.com/thre...ers-and-followers-siia-5mb-4cyl-petrol.73242/
What did the rollers look like
Do the oilway holes look clean in crank

The really early three bearing blocks had different main bearing shells with the location tags different to the later style.
Early ones are pricey later very cheap so no sense reusing. I would polish the crank fit new shell bearings and glaze break the bores ready for new rings. keep the money for the top end.
Rear crank seals are a lottery to get right, many old cranks have now got a groove worn in .

That cam flat is weird!

The rest is acceptable, assuming the marks I see on the journals are dirt in oil, not pocks. A thorough clean up, check with plastigauge, new rings/hone and reassemble will get you a good few years of leisure driving.

What's the timing chain like?

I wonder if that flat on the cam would cause oil pressure loss? I'm a bit uncomfortable with that. EAC/shop4autoparts is a good source. They supply Turners.

steve2286w said:

It Looks like not been too long since pistons in as they look clean past rings and bearings not too worn although it looks like dirty oil has caused the scoring on bearing surfaces but no copper showing
I cleaned mine with 1000 wet/dry
Is the ridge at top of bore just the carbon
the flat on cam bearing 1 is to pump oil up to rocker shaft
Re parts you get what u pay for , I did read somewhere about collapsing cheapy brass tappet slide
https://www.defendersource.com/thre...ers-and-followers-siia-5mb-4cyl-petrol.73242/
What did the rollers look like
Do the oilway holes look clean in crank

Click to expand...

the head /rocker shaft is fit by a steel pipe on the rear, the flat allows more oil out into the timing case

Wildefalcon said:

That cam flat is weird!

The rest is acceptable, assuming the marks I see on the journals are dirt in oil, not pocks. A thorough clean up, check with plastigauge, new rings/hone and reassemble will get you a good few years of leisure driving.

What's the timing chain like?

I wonder if that flat on the cam would cause oil pressure loss? I'm a bit uncomfortable with that. EAC/shop4autoparts is a good source. They supply Turners.

Click to expand...

its normal

My thoughts today on a Way forward.
Continue to get the head done by local Machine shop. - New valve stems - Should I get it skimmed to up the Compression?
The main block is now completely stripped. - take out Core Plugs - Get Machine shop to deep clean, re do Cam Bearings, check crank & Cam & Pistons usable.
then Hone cylinders - if its completely stripped down am I missing anything that's silly not to do at this stage.
then thinking i will build up myself from there.