Amazon: tuning a b18a

[AidanC]

Thanks for that - I did a similar thing to you - had a B18A and fitted a B18B head, D cam, twin carbs, 4 branch manifold and 2" exhaust. The engine had at least 230,000 km up at that point. Problem is that I ignored the very smooth bores because there was no wear lip at the top of the cylinder, compression was good and I was looking for quick results. I've read since that increasing the compression like that can finish off old rings.

The car starts and runs fine though its not as quick as it was. It has the old style crankcase breather that exits to the atmosphere without being recycled and it has an exhaust pulse & fumes from that pipe now which are making their way into the car. Compression is still good on all cylinders but I suspect that a leakdown test would show that at least one cylinder isn't holding pressure until combustion.

I'm hoping that a hone and new rings will sort it all out, unless a ring has broken and damaged the bore or the bores have gone oval. Fresh bearings might be no harm at this point too. Its got a fairly even idle with no misfiring so I'm cautiously optimistic that its just worn rings.

[redcar]

In your case, Aidan, if you can pull the engine yourself, the guy who did my head is brilliant. and they do full re-bores, match pistons, rebuilds, etc..

Loftus Engeering and speak to Derek..01-454 0609

they're in Harolds Cross area..

give me a shout if you need a hand at all.. love getting my hands dirty.

[AidanC]

Originally Posted by redcar

In your case, Aidan, if you can pull the engine yourself, the guy who did my head is brilliant. and they do full re-bores, match pistons, rebuilds, etc..

Loftus Engeering and speak to Derek..01-454 0609

they're in Harolds Cross area..

give me a shout if you need a hand at all.. love getting my hands dirty.

Thanks for that - I've used them before - they were the only people skilled enough to fit hardened valve seats to a Triumph 6 cylinder head for me (the valves are quite close together) so I'd definitely use them again.

I spoke to Lloyd today and got a rough idea of the money involved for him to do the work - it seemed reasonable but was thinking afterwards that I'd really like to do it myself - I might yet take you up on that offer of help!

Realistically it'll be later in the year so let me know how you get on with yours - I might just decide to be done with it and send it in. They sound like they know their stuff - you're in good hands.

[redcar]

morning all,

well i dropped my baby in to get her boob job today..

i did an inventory of all the parts that is needed for the job and it was quite impressive.. note to self: burn the receipts before the missus sees them.

Cam, carbs, head and exhaust is only the start of the list..

So all going well, it should be back on Wednesday.

can't wait

[Derek UK]

I assume she's going from an A to a D?

[redcar]

yes she is.. lol, you're very quick Derek

[swedishandgerman]

Haha! Ha! Those kinda jobs are never cheap...

[Burdekin]

Gareth, are you going to write an update of everything you've done and the results? Would be an interesting read to see how much you've improved things.

[redcar]

Quick update: - on fitting the carbs, the clutch master cylinder is right in front of the inlet of the rear carb, which means we cannot fit the air filter!!! this is crazy. got on to Simon who measured the stock clutch cylinders and they're about the same as what is in my car..

now the carbs are off a US car, and mine is obviously a right hand drive.. could this be the issue?

i'll try get some pix this afternoon to show the issue...

in the meantime, anyone got a quick and simple explanation, or a pic of their right hand drive engine bay with 2 x SU set up??

[222s]

Are you using US airfilters? The UK ones are offset to clear the master cylinders.