Engine Advise

[dozza]

Hi all,

My coupe vx has been a joy ( after some wallet bashing ) to get back on the road at long last and been a hoot to drive.
I have been told that i have possibly got the start of big end bearing wear, she has covered just over 80k miles.

I would greatly appreciate some advise from you guys as this car is staying with me for the long haul.
She is fairly sound as far as bodywork goes, she had inner monocoque repairs and new outer cill, she does require more bodywork fettling but had planned this over the next few years with a re-spray being the final chapter etc.

My dilemma is how far do you go with the engine ?
My skills as far as engine rebuilding are non existant and i would not want to start stripping the engine myself so will be requiring the knowledge and services of a professional.

I will be keeping this vehicle, so long term, if engine work is being carried out, what else should be re-placed as a matter of course etc.
I also need to keep the budget realistic and would like to get the engine work done once and correctly.


Thanks in advance

Lee

[Hawk]

Paying someone to do engine work will be expensive - especially if you are looking at a full tear down - unless you know a freindly mechanic

The problem is, that when you get the motor apart, you will invariably want to replace more than the big end as it makes sense while she is open.

My advice would be to try and find a friend who is handy with motors and bribe him with beer to help you.  The alternative is to find someone who will help you out (or even do it on here for you).  I used to do engine work on two stroke motorbikes for guys on the forum who didn't have the skills but a 2T engine is easier to transport and work on. 

Where are you BTW?

[dozza]

Thanks for the info Hawk,

I am in essex, appreciate other items will need replacing, guessing at main bearings as a standard replace etc.
Is still driveable, but i am very cautious.
Are spare parts for the engine available these days ? or is it Guy Croft manufactured components.

[rossocorsa]

From the two vx engines I have dismantled one of which was original internally I would say that at 80k the bearings will be worn to the copper. If you keep using the engine as is I would guess it would get to maybe 130k without drastic mishap and desperate need but obviously to have it running at its best you might want to consider some work. what symptoms are there of bearing wear?
The 2 litre crankshafts are immensely tough so it is unlikely there will be any issues there so you will probably be able to fit standard bearings; the original bearings in VX were fancy bronze ones but they are near impossible to buy now and the bearings for standard Betas should work just fine. If you are going for a standard engine build GC will be of limited use for parts as he is primarily involved in racing standard builds so for instance he doesn't use standard pistons he'll have some bits but not others, Ebay ,particularly in Italy, can be a useful source.
If you do get into refurbing the engine well worth partially dismantling the supercharger to clean and replace oil seals/rear bearings, just don't undo the gears at the front as it needs a jig to set the rotor clearances on reassembly.
However if you are enjoying the car and there are no obvious signs of issues I would recommend leaving well alone and just enjoy as this is a fairly involved task when you get deep into it and it is bound to involve a lot more than just the engine   

[HFStuart]

I'd tend to agree with Alan here. Big end wear is very different from big end failure and unless the symptoms are severe I'd leave alone for the time being and enjoy it.

What is it that suggests the bearings are worn?

[Neil-yaj396]

I'd tend to agree with Alan here. Big end wear is very different from big end failure and unless the symptoms are severe I'd leave alone for the time being and enjoy it.

What is it that suggests the bearings are worn?

Unless it's really thumping I think regular quality oil changes should get you another 20K miles.

Also, especially by modern standards, the twin cam is a 'noisy' engine. There is a lot going on in there; two cams, an auxiliary shaft etc., all running in numerous bearings. So what makes you sure it is the big ends going?

[dozza]

Thank you all,

Encouraging news from your feedback, at least i know i can still enjoy her for a while.

The guy that recommissioned her this year suspects big end bearing wear, she is slightly grumbly on cold start up etc.
If crankshaft etc is good for 130k then i may have the big end bearings  inspected and replaced if that is the problem.
As far as oil changes, what are you guys using ? semi synthetic or fully synthetic ?

Thanks for the supercharger advise also, i have changed the oil on this and am due for another as a precautionary measure, will look into the seals and bearings.

Thanks again guys

Re fitting the drivers side window regulator today as i got it back working yesterday after a thorough clean up and re-lube after reading another post on this forum.

[rossocorsa]

As a minimum on the supercharger take off the back cover and repack the bearings with grease. I wouldn't risk the crank to 130k if they are damaged they are irreparable, if you have symptoms maybe with doing main and big end bearings without a full strip down?

[dozza]

Thanks again guys,

will carry on using her until the weather changes, then tuck her away for the winter, replenish the wallet and start again next year.

hope to meet a few of you at a meet in the near future.

all the best

Lee