7 replies to this topic

[Pavel]

To all those technically-gifted people, I woudl like some help!

I'm getting a free 998 lump this weekend, which supposedly runs, but me and my dad are going to strip it down completely anyway and put it back together, just to know how to build an engine etc.

I would love to add an extra bit of power to it, but I'm on a low budget.

I was thinking along these lines:

1275 MG head
MG Camshaft
HIF44 Carb
w/ Alloy inlet
LCB DTM exhaust
Duplex timing chain

Any tips on what will need to be bought for the rebuild (gaskets/seals etc.), and what is needed to put the head/camshaft on.

I know the block needs to be pocketed, but I've heard people doing it without pocketing. Also can you please clarify what is pocketing so I know what to ask when I go see a machine shop.

Finally the engine will have some wear. How can I give it a "rebuild" without buying brand new pistons? Is it possible to bore out the block until it will accept 1100 pistons? Or should I just replace the piston rings?

Like I said, first time I'll be rebuilding an engine so any advice is greatly appreciated.

[Bluemini]

I guess ur not gonna use the turd blower on it then?

If your gonna build a new engine you will need a full engine gasket set. It worth while changing the following too, some jus because its easyer to do with the engine out:
Main bearings
Big end bearings
Thrust washers
Rings
Cam followers
Clutch
Engine mounts

It may be worth getting the block skimmed to the height of the pistons, and the head skimmed too so it gets the compression back up a bit from the low comp. the turd blower runs. I would aimt to get around 9:1 or 10:1 compression ratio, your local engine shop can work out the maths for you.

Pocketing the block involves removing the metal in the bores were the valves will touch, you can work out were to take it off with blue-tac, stick a bit around the top of the bore and bolt the head down without a gasket, turn the engine over by hand so that every valve has opened and closed, then take the head off and see where they have touched the blue-tac. You'll need to work out what lift there is on the valves, then take out offending metal to that depth. This will affect your comp ratio tho...

As far as wear, get the engineers to measure it for you, you may get away with it, but buy new rings tho and get the bores honed so they are all fresh.

You can't realy go wrong with an MG cam, good allround performance, and fitting is easy, jus follow what Mr Haynes says in his comic...

You wont realy benefit from a Duplex chain, save your money and keep a Simplex.

All the other stuff you need is already on the engine, just a case of clean everything till its spotless adn bolt it back up. Clenliness is very important tho!

Take the crank to the engineers too and get them to measure alll the jurnals for you so you know what size bearings to get, whether they are over-sized or not, also if its a bit worn it would be a good idea to get it re-ground.

[Pavel]

Mainly its a matter of price. I'll find out how much they charge around here for machine work and if its too much then the engine will just be a test dummy. I'll just strip it and put it back together as it is just to learn from.

I'm going to try go with +40 overbore to the 998. That should give it some go!

Can you gimme a really rough estimate of what all those parts will cost (not including machining labour) without VAT?

Set of new pistons with the overbore I want is 55 pounds..
Rings are around 20

Other than that I don't know how much the bearings crankshaft seals etc. will come up to! Also the gaskets (I'll need all of them I assume for a proper rebuild)

But after this I'll have a brand new engine basically wont I?

[Bluemini]

Normally I pay around about £150 ish for all the parts, (forgot to mention oil pump too)

But if ur gonna get pistons too, then thats probly bout £100 and machining work bout £100...

This is only a top of my head figure tho, it could be more, it could be less...
Best thing to do is look on the Mini Spares website and price evrythin up on there. You may even get some stuff off ebay and try ringing some of the second hand mini specialists that advertise in the mags.

[Pavel]

Yeah that seems a bit pricey No way i can afford to do that the way things are going...

Oh well I'll keep it all in mind!

by the way thanks a lot for the explanations!

[Bluemini]

Shame, I burried an 1100 in my garden not so long ago, you could of had the pistons and crank from that...

[Pavel]

Dig it up! I'll sponsor the shovel!

[cowboy]

:grin: :grin: