John Collins Posted April 17, 2018 Report Share Posted April 17, 2018 Can anyone help with a spare block? I have taken on 'Mutley's' old 58 TR3A but engine trouble has identified bad seating for liners! I am looking to buy a block, bored for cam shaft bearings. There is a possibility that cast welding might help another block we have found. WHO does cast welding south of London? Any help appreciated. Regards John Collins Quote Link to post Share on other sites
iain Posted April 17, 2018 Report Share Posted April 17, 2018 Thats bad luck, are you sure the liner seats are that bad? Which expert has given this advice? Iain Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Motorsport Mickey Posted April 17, 2018 Report Share Posted April 17, 2018 John, Many TR blocks which are now nearing 60 years old have problems on the liner seating "shelf", sometimes erosion, sometimes they've tilted due to stress relieving in the block, I'd think it unlikely your block is u/s, I've had 3 blocks "cleaned up" on the liner seats with an engineering firm ( I could do it myself with the machine). some while ago but as I remember it about £150. Process is set up block on jig borer, clock the spigot diameters vertical, centralise over a bore and then just the merest touch with a boring bit with cutting edge at 90 deg to the vertical to recut the seats (probably only a couple of thou cut) and then the same procedure on the others. If I was being finicky I'd also have the spigots recut because they'll be leaning but because they are an easy slide fit (by hand without pushing and shoving) there's enough clearance there to allow the liners to "self align" as long as the Fo8 seats are clean, square and the same height from the crank centre line in the block. Rebuild the block with whatever new/used liners you are using sat on DRY copper Figure of 8 gaskets and pull them down with the cylinder head sat on the old cleaned head gasket and torque down to 105 lb ft (I do), remove head and secure the liners down with heaver washers and measure the liner protrusion. If the cut to the Fo8 seats has dropped the top liner heights below the 3 thou lowest height proud of the block (sometimes does) remove the liners and back to the engineering shop to skim the block top off enough to allow the 5 thou liner height over block to be achieved. Sometimes individual liner machining is required to equalise the heights afterwards. your friendly machine shop will oblige, it's just money. Don't be tempted to think anything less will be ok, owners see the labour involved and shrink away from it hoping it will be ok (say thanks to Mutley) or object to the likely charged hourly rate one of the specialist TR shops can justifiably charge for doing it for you. If your block is recoverable it retains the engines identity, what exactly is the problem ? pictures ? Mick Richards Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted April 17, 2018 Report Share Posted April 17, 2018 Hi John, Welcome to the Forum. you are prepared to have welding carried out to the block but not a simple machining exercise to the liner seats !!! Get the seats machined and you are on an even keel for another 50 years or so. Rather than welding the block have you considered stitching it - depending on where the crack/problem is. Post some pics of both issues. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Collins Posted April 17, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2018 Thanks so far for prompt responses. I am totally confident with the experts working on the engine; they really do know what they are doing and well respected throughout the TR group. The route to machining has been discussed but thanks for the detailed explanation. This can be a bit fussy so if a spare block were out there for a reasonable sum, that would be preferred. My engine is a factory recon anyway but as you say, get it right before rebuilding. I'll get some pics and keep you posted. Thanks so far. very quick responding!!! john Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted April 17, 2018 Report Share Posted April 17, 2018 (edited) John - This is just the sort of helpful response I was expecting to read. Thanks to all. Mick your description of the technique is very helpful. - Now John needs to find a tame and capable machine shop down here in the south. This is an ongoing rectification for a hopefully repairable block. Peter W PS I am here on an advisory basis to John. Edited April 18, 2018 by BlueTR3A-5EKT Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ian Vincent Posted April 18, 2018 Report Share Posted April 18, 2018 Id go with Micks solution. Chances are any block you find will need work and if you get your original block sorted then you know where you are. Rgds Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
roy53 Posted April 18, 2018 Report Share Posted April 18, 2018 john if we knew where you are located would help and know doubt local advice will come your way. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Collins Posted May 3, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2018 I'm in the London Group and based on Epsom Downs. Progress is being made but life for old cars is made much easier if you are based in the Midlands and North. Surrey is lovely but a bit of an engineering desert!! Thanks for all your responses. We have had a little welding done to a replacement block (with great condition for the liner fig 8 gaskets), just around the head stud. Now awaiting machine facing etc and hopefully a rebuild with some lovely new bits very soon. cheers john Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted May 3, 2018 Report Share Posted May 3, 2018 Hi John, there are a number of machine shops fairly close by to the London Group. Classic & Modern is the obvious candidate in Bracknell. Will you be at the meeting tonight - if so see you there. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
johnhodges Posted May 4, 2018 Report Share Posted May 4, 2018 John I've sent you a PM. John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
billy l Posted May 4, 2018 Report Share Posted May 4, 2018 John, Try SRS Engineering Sutton, near you, I have used them in the past, last time I was there, they had a TR 3 engine in for work. Cheers, Bill. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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