Rebuild costs?

General General Lotus Talk
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She go bang. Not sure what happened, but to cut a long story shortoil missing from where it was supposed to be, large banging noise, engine report suggested big ends wrecked?Anyone have an idea of costs to repair or anywhere recommended near bracknell who would be an alternative to B&C?They have a 340R in with a similar problem but also has bent valves and a knackered piston and they think this will be �3.5KTo top it all, I resigned from work last week as I hated it so much and thought ‘well, as long as I have the Exige’ I will keep smiling. Do you think the Samaritans are clued up this sort of crisis?

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Sorry to hear that [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/frown.gif[/image], big end bearings on there own are cheap as are the crank bearings ~�2-�3 each.Problem is you never know what else has happend until it is stripped down and checked.If the head has suffered get it ported and larger valves fitted, cylinder liners are also inexpensive �100 + vat a set.The engine is very easy to work on if you want to do it yourself.I know the feeling about the job i wont have one at the end of Feb [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/frown.gif[/image]If you need any advise etc, mail me offline and i’ll give you my phone number.Phil

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ADL why not try Lakeside in Addlestone, not to far away from you near Weybridge on 01932 340003 ask for Max or Art.Alternatively try Steve Williams in Eaton on 01753 858711.Trust they can help, Mark.

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ADL - bad luck mate - worst nightmare! Hope its not as serious as it sounds and you’re quickly back up and running. Keep us all posted on progress and what you find. Fingers crossed for you.Simon

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’ why not try Lakeside in Addlestone, not to far away from you near Weybridge on 01932 340003 ask for Max or Art.'Forgot about lakeside. Cheers for the reminder.Spoke with them this morning, and think it will go in there as provding they can get the parts it will be a fairly quick turn around.(1-2 Weeks) Will probably save me a grand as well, so I owe you a pint!With that saving I can almost justify the 190 upgrade now (well thats what I am saying to the wife)

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Well, it wasn’t terrible news on the engine, however, not good either.The crank spun a bearing, resulting in crank now wrecked. The piston only just slapped the head, but on inspection the garage believe we can get away with it as it is a very small mark. One rod also being replaced as well as it probably took undue stress when the bearing span round and not worth risking it.It could have been worse…Decided to get new piston rings fitted as this may be the reason it used its oil so quickly. Clutch also being replaced as I might as well whilst the engine is out and will look into getting the head ported.If anyone else has other recommendations that are worth doing whilst out, happy to review them!Only problem is how to get through running the engine in…[This message has been edited by ADL (edited 08 December 2002).][This message has been edited by ADL (edited 08 December 2002).]

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quote:Originally posted by ADL:Decided to get new piston rings fitted If you remove the pistons from the liners they have to be replaced anyway and the liners then need re-sealing, its the same thing with all the bearing shells, Service manual tells you to disgard them all.You dont actually want any marks on the piston crown, did it contact a valve ? if so, is the valve ok and is the valve guide ok ?I have spare con rods and pistons if you need an odd one.

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'You dont actually want any marks on the piston crown, did it contact a valve ? if so, is the valve ok and is the valve guide ok ?I have spare con rods and pistons if you need an odd one.'We didn’t get into much detail. I am going to drop in tomorrow to discuss exactly what needs to be done. Basically I am not going to skimp on the costs for the sake of 100� here or there as it is false economy in the long run - I had an Integrale, and the spend never ends on those things unless you do the whole lot e.g light bulb goes - replace wiring loom, spot of rust on bodywork - completely restore car, engine has misfire due to sparkplug - stick in new engine, speedo not working - scrap car [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]They didn’t mention that the valves had been touched, so I guess they got out ok. I am in the hands of Lakeside Engineering for their recommendations. It was them who recommended replacing one of the con rods as they could not see any damage, but as a pracautionary measure said it would be better to change the one that would have been stressed rather than leave it in there and run a risk.They said the head had a mark on it, but again, explained it was not major, thus I am trusting their expertise on the matter to do the right thing. As for the piston, not sure what the damage was, but if it hit the head, would have expected some marks on it.May well need to take you up on the piston if this is the case. Will know more tomorrow.Would be interested in any recommendations on how to handle the moaning wife in such circumstances as Lakeside aren’t able to offer assistance in this area! [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/tongue.gif[/image]

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quote:Originally posted by ADL:Would be interested in any recommendations on how to handle the moaning wife in such circumstances as Lakeside aren’t able to offer assistance in this area! [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/tongue.gif[/image]Oi! Leave your sex life off this forum! [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image] [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image] [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]

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quote:Originally posted by Pesky: Oi! Leave your sex life off this forum! [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]

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Rob, why? [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]

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Does anybody have a set of VHPD rods for sale? Phil,Did you get my mail?..

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Yes Carsten, you sent it on the 25 Nov, i got it today !!! Have replied…

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Phil, just to let you know, I won’t need a piston in the end, but thanks for the offer.I saw the engine yesterday spread across the workshop.I checked the piston and it only took some of the carbon off on the edge and the piston itself was undamaged.Head was fine as well with no damage.Can’t say that for the crank though. Somewhat heavily scored to say the least.Somehow I must have got lucky as it is only the crank and one con rod. Still a whacking great bill, so I don’t feel that way, but half if it is new rear tyres, 190 Emerald upgrade and braided brake hoses. Shhhh, don’t tell the wife!Thanks for the help everyone, and hope to be beavering around in the Exige before Christmas (if they can get the ECU in time!)

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Thats good news that not to much extra damage has been done.Crank alone is about �400, are you going for the same VHPD one or a “steel” one for about �600 ?Are you having vernier cam sprockets fitted as well as the Emerald ?Personally i would spend the Emerald money on a steel crank and conrods instead to strengthen the bottom end and worry about the emerald for another day when it gets ported, wilder cams etc.

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quote:Originally posted by Phil Davies:Thats good news that not to much extra damage has been done.Crank alone is about �400, are you going for the same VHPD one or a “steel” one for about �600 ?Are you having vernier cam sprockets fitted as well as the Emerald ?Personally i would spend the Emerald money on a steel crank and conrods instead to strengthen the bottom end and worry about the emerald for another day when it gets ported, wilder cams etc.

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quote:Originally posted by Phil Davies:Thats good news that not to much extra damage has been done.Crank alone is about �400, are you going for the same VHPD one or a “steel” one for about �600 ?Are you having vernier cam sprockets fitted as well as the Emerald ?Personally i would spend the Emerald money on a steel crank and conrods instead to strengthen the bottom end and worry about the emerald for another day when it gets ported, wilder cams etc. Keeping the crank standard to save costs a little, but putting in uprated bearings to give it a bit more of a chance if it goes again.Verniers are being done, as is uprated clutch. Thought about upgrading the bottom end alot more, but I doubt I will take the engine above the 190 extremes. Otherwise it seems to be a never ending spend! Well sir, if you do that, you might as well do this and this and this…Before you know it, theres 5K spent before the engine is back in!

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Are those the Vandervall VP2 bearings being fitted ? Although stronger, they are less tolerant to small particles of dirt in the oil they will score easier and are more susceptable to attack by the acid by-products caused by combustion, you will have to change your oil every couple of thousand miles if not sooner than that !I looked at them, about �100 a set instead of �40 but decided to stay with the softer OEM onesAlso which clutch ? I have mentioned before the “uprated” AP Clutch which is available was exactly the same as was already fitted to my car.