11 replies to this topic

[Iain L]

My 998 has 106k on it now, been in my family (was my brothers) since it had 87K on it. Last year (and this lol) i restored all the bodywork, new panels etc, and now im looking at getting more from the engine. It seems really healthy, pulls well, no smoke and runs really well.

It already has a stage 1 kit on and looking at fitting a different head and maybe an uprated cam etc, but im wondering how many more miles it has left in it before problems will appear. Im talking more of bottom end, pistons, rings etc here, do they last into high miles?

Bascially i dont want to spend money on this engine if in a few thousand miles its gonna go pop.

[Dan]

Its pretty much on borrowed time. The design life for an A series / A+ is about 80,000 miles. Some had piston liners fitted at the factory, these last much much longer. Anything you get now is a bonus and either due to very good care by previous owners or cylinder liners.

[AndyMiniMad.]

I dont think you can say after a certain mileage the engine is going to give up. I suppose it really depends on how its been looked after, regular oil and filter changes, quallity of the oil used, how its been driven, so many things can make a difference. But even though it sounds like you have a wee cracker, if you are going to take the head off and change the cam then its going to be in bits anyway so i would recommend checking all the bottom end stuff and replaceing the bearing shells.

[Iain L]

I dont think you can say after a certain mileage the engine is going to give up. I suppose it really depends on how its been looked after, regular oil and filter changes, quallity of the oil used, how its been driven, so many things can make a difference. But even though it sounds like you have a wee cracker, if you are going to take the head off and change the cam then its going to be in bits anyway so i would recommend checking all the bottom end stuff and replaceing the bearing shells.

At first i would only be changing the head, cam is only a maybe. But i see your point, if i was going to be re-building id rather spend the money on getting a 1275.

[Cater_Racer]

Unless you are actually planing some competitive work, why not just enjoy it as a loverly standard car?

Pulls well no smoke, runs well................. why bu**er about with it?

If your entering specialist events, then start spending money, but remember;

There's no such thing as cheap motorsport!

Edited by Cater_Racer, 29 June 2010 - 07:42 PM.

[leoe]

My 998's done 147k and its had no major problems runs sweet as a nut. I blew the head gasket but that cost me all of £11 and a morning to fix. So long as you look after it and keep on top of it, modified or not it should go on for many more miles

[mini93]

my 1275 A+ gayfair did over 150,000 miles i took the clocks out and fitted the acewell dash which had only about 6k miles on it when it died, never did a full autopsy on the engine but would have lasted longer had i not messed around with the engine so im thinking it might be a ring problem which arose, the top of the piston was filmed in oil and this was years after the engine was last used too

[l_jonez]

my old 998 had done over 150k (new clutch and refurbished head at 100k ) when a knackered oil pump finally killed it

if looked after the a series can last a long time

[Stevee]

if your going to mod it

then do a full engine over haul

you need

New Seals
New Gaskets
New Valves Guides
New Big End Shells
New Pistons & Rings
New Head bolts
New Oil & filter
New Water Pump
New Coolant
New Clutch
Good Clean

Maybe a rebore if its warn but thats like take it to somone who knows

then do your gear box aswell
with

New Gaskets
New Bearings
Good Clean

to be honest what id do to keep my engine going (y) its alot of money but if its gonna do another 109k why not? it earn its keep!

[skaterava]

i've got a 998 A+ that's done 94,000 miles, and as other people have said, if the engine is maintained well, there's no reason it can't go on living to 100k miles and beyond.

[Tommyboy12]

Pretty sure there are a few examples on here that have been round the clock twice. Not impossible to get unlimited mileage out of an engine if you really look after it.

[mini93]

New Valves Guides
New Pistons & Rings
New Head bolts

Maybe a rebore if its warn but thats like take it to somone who knows

not having a go or anything but just going to be a bit picky, no point putting in new valve guides if the current ones are examined and found to be in decent condition (that is to say will last for a good amount of time till the next partial overhaul)

pistons will only need to be replaced if 1. damage has occured or 2. your going over size, no point replacing a piston like for like when your not boring the block, a re-ring and a hoan will do if the ring gaps still sufficient to make a seal

and headbolts, if they have been torqued correctly at every point, the shouldnt need replacing, its only when you go over the torque or dont use a callibrated torque wrench that they will do.

regards to the gearbox, you will want to check the syncro wear (the reason it might crunch going into 2nd gear etc) if the box is running smoothly, turns freely id leave it as it lays, though perhap some new diff seals and always new O ring