960 Bad Interference?

[Exasperant]

Let's say I spotted a 960 with a broken cambelt, but allegedly in otherwise good condition.

How big a disaster is it likely to be?

I'm still really crossing my fingers a potential sale comes through, but keeping options open and have spotted an MOTd supposedly tidy 960 auto with snapped belt reappear.

I've never had to tackle a snapped rubber band engine, am I likely to be looking at a handful of vales, new gasket, belt, tensioner, or could it be holed piston/ scrapped block level bad?

[360beast]

If you mean the white one that was in ebay, in the description it says that it has had all the valves etc done and then the belt snapped soon after... chances are there will be several bent valves and all the work that has been done will need redoing. Not many places know how to deal with whitebloxk engines properly and from what RWDKev was telling me, it is a massive job.

I remember you were after a diesel auto too, if economy is what you're after then a 960 is definitely not a good idea.

[Exasperant]

Originally Posted by 360beast

If you mean the white one that was in ebay, in the description it says that it has had all the valves etc done and then the belt snapped soon after... chances are there will be several bent valves and all the work that has been done will need redoing. Not many places know how to deal with whitebloxk engines properly and from what RWDKev was telling me, it is a massive job.

I remember you were after a diesel auto too, if economy is what you're after then a 960 is definitely not a good idea.

Diesel was a preference, but I think a couple of people said they're not that great, and probably not worth holding out for.

Plus my mileage is going to be fairly low so while more mpg is always good, a petrol shouldn't kill me. Maybe. Hopefully.

And yes, it's that white one that keeps reappearing. The fact it boomerangs so much is worrying, as though it's perhaps not quite as advertised.

I've rebuilt plenty of pushrod things, but never an OHC.

Sounds like, if these engines require expertise, I should steer clear.

Thanks!