Engine Block Cracked!

[Budgie]

Not good news with the Rangie today, we put it in to a local garage to have the head gaskets changed because it was loosing water, but not into the oil, and it always started on 7 cylinders with the 8th coming to life after a couple of minutes. I don't have time to do it myself just now.

After they they took the first head off there was a 5mm long crack between the front of the block and the liner to No1 cylinder and signs of blowing past the head gasket. As it goes right up to the liner from the water jacket then there's no chance of welding it so I've been searching all day for a new (well second hand) block.  :roll:

I managed to find 3 up here on the island, not bad for a mornings work. One from a P6 Rover with 76k on the clock that's already stripped and hasn't run for the last 25 years  :shock: , a complete engine that's in a field but covered and not been there that long and one that's still in a 90 that has broken chassis.

The one from the P6 looks okay, is not seezed and only up the road (the other two are an hours drive away) so I'm going to pick it up in the morning to have good look at it to see if we can use it, it's a "you can have it if you come and get it" type deal!!  :D
If it's not worth trying then I've still got spare block and I can look at the other two.

Keep you posted!

[MuddyMike]

Take a good look at that P6 block, I believe V8 blocks that early had diferent main bearing mounts and suffered with them dropping off.

Mike

[Budgie]

Thanks for that Mike, we're going to have a good look over the block to make sure it's worth fitting it so I'll make sure the bearings are okay.  

[Xtremeteam]

ive just got rid of an early 3 1/2 block not long ago that was in good nick

[muddyweb]

ive just got rid of an early 3 1/2 block not long ago that was in good nick

I'm sure that's cheered him up no end  :roll:

[Xtremeteam]

well if wants it,better be quick as it was last seen being preped for bein turned into a V8 coffee table

[Budgie]

I'm sure that's cheered him up no end  :roll:

 :mrgreen:

Thanks for the thought Mikee, It's not necessaraly an early V8 block I need, just a V8 block. The Rangie in a 1989 3.5 EFi and I hope the heads, front casing, flywheel and EFi inlet will fit. If not then the other two engines are later ones so I'll be able to find one I'm sure.
The main problem is getting hold of a good one ASAP as the Rangie is in bits on a ramp in the garage and I don't what to have to leave it there for too long.  

[Wolfie]

There are differences between the P6 block and your current one. P6s have the old rope oil seal on the crank. I don't know if the heads etc will fit but can ask my tame V8 expert. His view from your initial info was that you'd probably be better going for the 90 engine.

Regards

Andy

[Budgie]

If I had the time then I would have gone for the 90 but as it is we need the Rangie back on the road for urgent repairs to the Disco!  :roll:

The plan is to get the engien back together with what we have and then I may get the 90 engine, rebuild it and then replace the one we're putting in the Rangie now.

I got the block this morning, took it to the garage and stripped it down to the block, crank & pistons ready for a good steam clean. Everything look good on the block, it all came apart without any problems and is nice free.

[landyman Ash]

well if wants it,better be quick as it was last seen being preped for bein turned into a V8 coffee table

When thats done mate any chance of a photo?  Fancy one of them myself  

[Range Rover Blues]

well if wants it,better be quick as it was last seen being preped for bein turned into a V8 coffee table

If that one's a good engine surely it would be more sensible to use Budgies now-duff block instead?

[landyman Ash]

well if wants it,better be quick as it was last seen being preped for bein turned into a V8 coffee table

If that one's a good engine surely it would be more sensible to use Budgies now-duff block instead?

Would be a good talking point too.....

.....Instead of "oh I do like your Ikea table"it can can "hmmm, is that a crack on the no.1 cylinder on your coffee table?"

I know wha I'd prefer!!!  

Shame you so dam far away, got 3 blocks here.  I'm sure you'll find one somewhere anyway  

[Xtremeteam]

well if wants it,better be quick as it was last seen being preped for bein turned into a V8 coffee table

If that one's a good engine surely it would be more sensible to use Budgies now-duff block instead?

well it came out the racer after i did a safari with no oil pressure(still drove home though) & decided to strip the engine & get rid of the leftovers,it was only after dismantling that i discovered the engine No went some thing like 000000036GBA so was a bit late  :oops: anyway,its now in a good home (mates garage) awaiting transformation

[Budgie]

Shame you so dam far away, got 3 blocks here.  I'm sure you'll find one somewhere anyway  

Looks like the P6 block will do the job, for now anyway.  
I spoke to the garage today and they've stripped the old engine ready to clean the new (P6) block & heads and will start putting it back together in the morning.

I may well get the working engine from the 90 down in the Isle of Harris as a spare, they only want £100 for it, & give it an overhaul just incase this block is a bit "iffy"!