18 replies to this topic

[ed4ran]

Im looking at an engine for sale,
and im not quite sure if its an turbo engine,
what should i look for to tell if its a turbo engine?
Ive searched for info on the engine number, and cant find anything about it
(engine number is BHM1300N) the guy says its a remanufactured block,
its not got all the bits with it (its missing the ancillaries so no turbo),
but my plan was to slowly buy the bits and build it up, then when its finished swap it for my current engine.

[Guess-Works.com]

the engine number you have quoted is cetainly not a production engine number, so I would believe the guy who said it's a remanufactured engine.

In general terms, apart from the lower compression ratio ( due to the different pistons ) the engine should be no different from a std metro, but there's something that's niggling me, I'm sure I've heard that the turbo block had some additional oil ways in the casting, but cannot confirm.

Is the gearbox also there, as the turbo had a 3.2 diff as standard, and the head ?

[ed4ran]

It has

Head + rockers + rocker cover
Block
gear box,
flywheel + clutch (but no casing thingy)

So its pretty much a complete engine apart from the bolt on bits

He had it as a spare engine for his Metro
so he hasnt really used it, but he says it turns over fine
And it looks pretty clean condition

What kind of price do you think it is worth?
(i know it would be better to know more about it)

[Dan]

Is the head fitted? If it's a turbo head the lobe of metal which projects into the chamber between the two valves in a normal head should be very much reduced or missing altogether. Of course if it's fitted then you'll never know....

[ed4ran]

Ive asked to guy to take some more pics,
which he is doing tomos,
and the head is on, but i think the bolts are loose

[Turbo Phil]

The chamber shape on a standard Turbo motor is no different to the normally aspirated 1275 engines, when the "beak" in the chamber is removed this is in an effort to lower the compression, this is not something done as standard.
To check if it's a Turbo head look at the exhaust valves, they will have noticeably thicker stems than the inlets. If it's a head from a normally aspirated 1275 the inlet/exhaust valve stems will be of the same thickness. The Turbo head also has double springs.

Phil.

[a2lt16v]

turbo engine numebrs are

something like

12H959aa

[evolotion]

The Turbo head also has double springs

U sure?? but the thicker exhausrt valves are a dead giveaway! the difference is very noticeable.

Bear in mind if it is a remanufactured engine it could have any old pistons in it, if you can, get details of the build.Its not realy worth any more than a normal 1275 unless you can guarantee whats in tehre IMHO.

if you cant hear it running/ atleast see it off the box to inspec tthe bearings its prob worth even less!

[Turbo Phil]

The Turbo head also has double springs

U sure??

Yes, all the Turbo engines i've had have double springs fitted.

Phil.

[AlexF2003]

Phil.... only the mg metro had double valve springs... the turbo didnt as std. All the turbo engines I have (only 6 or 7) are all singles.

The ONLY sure fire way is to look at the exh valves... the stem is BIGGER than the inlet ones. This is because the exh valves are sodium cooled and have only been used on turbo engines

Alex

[Turbo Phil]

Well i've just checked my "stockpile" of Turbo stuff and i have four Turbo cylinder heads, one of which is still fitted to a totally standard and unstripped engine. ALL of them have double valve springs fitted ....

Figure that ! lol :grin:

[clubman_dan]

the totally standard turbo head i have is fitted with double valve springs as well, strange....

[AlexF2003]

lol I hate you Phil...

Just been out to my shed... its taken me 30 mins to get to my pile of heads...

Only to find the 4 turbo heads I have are all single spings !!!!!

Good old BL!

Alex

[evolotion]

The turbo sat on my drive, and 3 other tuirbo engines iv seen up close and personal were all single spring. hence my post, but i wasnt 100% sure :grin:

[Turbo Nick]

all the standard ones i've had/seen have been double sprung......dont you just love british made stuff