Engine rebuild components, who is best

For everything to do with Dolomites, Toledos, FWD cars and Dolomite-based kitcars.
Post Reply
Message
Author
cliftyhanger
TDC Member
Posts: 2542
Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2008 7:26 am

Engine rebuild components, who is best

#1 Post by cliftyhanger »

I am after suggestions of what/where to buy, and importantly what to avoid like the plague.
All for a TR7 engine, so same as 1850 and in the case of rings, a sprint?

I am after:
Rings +40
Big Ends +20
Thrusts Std

Timing Chain
Chain Tensioner and Guides.

Other stuff is hopefully simple, gaskets and oil seals.

Pointers VERY welcome.
Clive Senior
Brighton
User avatar
yorkshire_spam
Guest contributor
Guest contributor
Posts: 994
Joined: Wed Nov 15, 2017 3:35 pm
Location: Filey, North Yorkshire

Re: Engine rebuild components, who is best

#2 Post by yorkshire_spam »

When I needed a chain for the 1850 engine I went for the "German" chain as supplied by Robsport, it's only been in there just over a year though so I can't comment on the long term quality.
https://robsport.co.uk/index.php/online ... g-lh-chain
Image
cliftyhanger
TDC Member
Posts: 2542
Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2008 7:26 am

Re: Engine rebuild components, who is best

#3 Post by cliftyhanger »

I saw the german chain, guess it is better quality (after all, it is 4x the cost!)
But did you fit a new tensioner? I think there are some horror stories with those, but can't remember which.
Clive Senior
Brighton
User avatar
yorkshire_spam
Guest contributor
Guest contributor
Posts: 994
Joined: Wed Nov 15, 2017 3:35 pm
Location: Filey, North Yorkshire

Re: Engine rebuild components, who is best

#4 Post by yorkshire_spam »

I re-fitted the old tensioner, so can't help you there.
Image
User avatar
Bumpa
TDC Member
Posts: 691
Joined: Fri Apr 15, 2016 11:08 am
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland

Re: Engine rebuild components, who is best

#5 Post by Bumpa »

I got my 1850 rings, shells, chain, tensioner and sundries from Wins International. Like Yorshire Spam I bought the more expensive German chain which has been fine so far. But the tensioner turned out to be the dreaded Rolon. As the old one, although grooved, had plenty of meat on it, I refitted it. So far so good.
Mike
(1969 MGB GTV8, 1977 Dolomite 1850HL, 1971 MGB roadster now all three on the road)
cliftyhanger
TDC Member
Posts: 2542
Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2008 7:26 am

Re: Engine rebuild components, who is best

#6 Post by cliftyhanger »

So the rolon one is kak?
Is there a decent one available? not that I have had mine out yet, but assuming the worst.... Guides are badly worn, hoping new ones are OK?
Probably get most stuff from Robsport, been happy with their service before. Unless there is a better option...
Clive Senior
Brighton
dollyman
TDC Cheshire Area Organiser
Posts: 1410
Joined: Wed May 17, 2017 6:28 pm
Location: NANTWICH.

Re: Engine rebuild components, who is best

#7 Post by dollyman »

The rolon tensioner is totally KAK. https://www.fwthornton.co.uk These guy's are very good for rings, big ends etc..... Very helpfull as well.

Tony.
NOW A CLUB MEMBER 2017057 :bluewave:
User avatar
Bumpa
TDC Member
Posts: 691
Joined: Fri Apr 15, 2016 11:08 am
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland

Re: Engine rebuild components, who is best

#8 Post by Bumpa »

cliftyhanger wrote: Sat Oct 26, 2019 8:29 pm So the rolon one is kak?
Is there a decent one available? not that I have had mine out yet, but assuming the worst.... Guides are badly worn, hoping new ones are OK?
Probably get most stuff from Robsport, been happy with their service before. Unless there is a better option...
There has been a ton of stuff on this board criticising the Rolon tensioner. I've never seen a good word for them, and yet it is what everybody sells - maybe there's no alternative. I was advised by folk on here to keep the original if it wasn't badly worn.
Mike
(1969 MGB GTV8, 1977 Dolomite 1850HL, 1971 MGB roadster now all three on the road)
cliftyhanger
TDC Member
Posts: 2542
Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2008 7:26 am

Re: Engine rebuild components, who is best

#9 Post by cliftyhanger »

Oh joy.

I thought there may be a better alternative? Hopefully mine is OK, but if the upper guide are anything to go by... In fact the engine does look as if it has done serious mileage.
Clive Senior
Brighton
cleverusername
Guest contributor
Guest contributor
Posts: 1560
Joined: Mon Dec 03, 2012 6:04 pm

Re: Engine rebuild components, who is best

#10 Post by cleverusername »

cliftyhanger wrote: Sat Oct 26, 2019 10:44 pm Oh joy.

I thought there may be a better alternative? Hopefully mine is OK, but if the upper guide are anything to go by... In fact the engine does look as if it has done serious mileage.
Robsport sell a more expensive one, which has the hole for the oil pressure on the slipper and lubrication hole in the slipper itself. All I can say is it didn't self destruct despite me assembling the timing gear incorrectly, so it seems pretty tough.

As an aside, when a TR7 is Sprinted, do people keep the single chain or do they have to switch to a duplex?
User avatar
xvivalve
TDC West Mids Area Organiser
Posts: 13582
Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2006 1:13 pm
Location: Over here...can't you see me?

Re: Engine rebuild components, who is best

#11 Post by xvivalve »

I have good quality AE big end and main bearings at +20

I also have a couple of the better quality duplex Jaguar spec tensioners spare.
User avatar
xvivalve
TDC West Mids Area Organiser
Posts: 13582
Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2006 1:13 pm
Location: Over here...can't you see me?

Re: Engine rebuild components, who is best

#12 Post by xvivalve »

Incidentally, there have been no reports (yet) of tensioner failures with the simplex system, just the duplex. That may be because the simplex system has much wider application that greater supply of old stock exists and cheaper production has yet to hit the shelves...
cliftyhanger
TDC Member
Posts: 2542
Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2008 7:26 am

Re: Engine rebuild components, who is best

#13 Post by cliftyhanger »

xvivalve wrote: Sun Oct 27, 2019 7:42 am I have good quality AE big end and main bearings at +20

I also have a couple of the better quality duplex Jaguar spec tensioners spare.
Does the duplex tensioner fit with the simplex chain/covers?
Obviously wider, but that can't be an issue unless not enough space? Just a thought.

Re applications, I wonder if the duplex is the one that higher sales?? Jag, mgb and so on. The simplex seems to have more obscure applications? Or is it just I haven't stumbled across much apart from triumph/saab?

But encouraging that the tensioners are not failing, may make my life simpler. I like simple.
Clive Senior
Brighton
Post Reply