25 replies to this topic

[ACDodd]

I can't recall the number sorry.

Ac

[tom1]

Thanks any way . Just broke the top ring ! 

[ACDodd]

Honestly, just fit the right pistons, less hassle more reliable.

Ac

[tom1]

It was just  matter of cost and time, a new set of pistons, bore/hone,skim the block for deck height, or turn the pistons down what would you say £375 at best with a cheap set of pistons, and for me I would never build a motor over +0.040. So £15 to get piston machined down seam a good idea at the time. Wish I had build it with a new block and all new parts, isn't that what they call hindsite 

 

                                                                                                                                       

[The Matt]

The hepolite pistons from the Fiesta weren't that great were they? I think they we're 1100 crossflow ones from memory.

When I started to build one of these I noticed that the gudgeon pin was a little loose in the piston too. I gave up on it in the end and sold it all on. I talked to a few engine builders and their recommendations were pretty much a unanimous "Use 74mm Omegas".

[The Matt]

And yeah, hindsight is always 20/20 vision!

[The Matt]

And I think when I talked to Calver about this engine, he recommended increasing the size of the head combustion chamber rather than machining the piston crown too. I was looking for 10:1CR for mine so needed big head chambers

[ACDodd]

It likely won't need a bore for the 74mm pistons. Just honing to get the new size. £200 for pistons £60 for honing?

AC

[tom1]

I have this thing about money. I used to have a job that  paid just under the average pay in the UK, giving me the opportunity to work on my mini. Now I have a job that pays less than the living wage(0 hours contract but have to work 50 every week,all @ a standard rate) due to market forces. In short I have to take a in depth look at what I spend. Here is my costing

 

£196.8 pistons

£    9.0 postage

£  60.0 honing

£  12.0 fitting pistons to rods

£  15.0 turn pistons down

£  35.0 time of work

£  42.0 running cost of land rover (17 miles x 4 trips)

 

£369.80

 

Ok I should of put £370 but £375 sounds better(so sue me). You have got a very good reputation on here and if I lived down your way I would use you and I like your tag line. 

 

                               

[ACDodd]

No one said building a reliable engine was cheap.

You may just need to wait longer and do it right.

Ac

[69k1100]

Or tune it for ethanol.