1500TC - Engine rebuild hints

[bazyerma]

Hi All

I think this winter it is time to rebuild my 1500TC engine as the bottom end is not getting any more quite!

Seems simple enough and have done a few different engines in the past but wondering if there is any hints / upgrades to do while I am at it. The head is already been upgraded and converted to hardened seats.

Also, if anyone near to Aberdeen has a 1500 that needs a refresh for sale I would be interested (or if the are willing to post) so I can keep mine mobile while I rebuild?

Regards

Barry

[yorkshire_spam]

Hi All

I think this winter it is time to rebuild my 1500TC engine as the bottom end is not getting any more quite!

Seems simple enough and have done a few different engines in the past but wondering if there is any hints / upgrades to do while I am at it. The head is already been upgraded and converted to hardened seats.

Also, if anyone near to Aberdeen has a 1500 that needs a refresh for sale I would be interested (or if the are willing to post) so I can keep mine mobile while I rebuild?

Regards

Barry

Can't help with a spare engine I'm afraid.
In terms of "upgrades" take care! Things like new oil pumps and timing chains/tensioners can be of pretty questionable quality - so unless you need to, don't replace them for the sake of it.
Make sure you get the end-float on the crank within the spec. I had to mess around with the thrusts combining 2 sets to get what I wanted.
Decent bearings - I used glyco. I know others advocate hunting down nos trimetal - I didn't have the time or cash, so went with a decent brand of new type ones.
Then the obvious engine build stuff - keep it clean!

Are you "just" doing the bottom end? Or the block/pistons as well?

[yorkshire_spam]

I went a bit "over the top" with my build back in late 2019/early 2020.

[xvivalve]

I have a known good 1500 engine, originally built by Jod Clark, but I'm a good distance from Aberdeen, down here in the Midlands!

[bazyerma]

"Are you "just" doing the bottom end? Or the block/pistons as well?"


Hi

Plan is just blow it apart, check for damage / ware ect and replace as required.

Measure the bore hopefully only need to replace the rings etc and not go for an overbore.

Just a bit of winter fun really.

Regards

Barry

[yorkshire_spam]

Plan is just blow it apart, check for damage / ware ect and replace as required.
Measure the bore hopefully only need to replace the rings etc and not go for an overbore.

Yeah... been down that rabbit hole... and ended up with the engine in the photo above and an empty bank account!
If you get it down to a bare block I'd highly recommend knocking all the core plugs out and pressure blasting the water jacket. Also clean the oil ways in the block out carefully and then re-seal the plugs.

For the head fastenings I use ARP, but if you can re-use the original studs the uprated mini nuts are good.

[bazyerma]

Plan is just blow it apart, check for damage / ware ect and replace as required.
Measure the bore hopefully only need to replace the rings etc and not go for an overbore.

Yeah... been down that rabbit hole... and ended up with the engine in the photo above and an empty bank account!
If you get it down to a bare block I'd highly recommend knocking all the core plugs out and pressure blasting the water jacket. Also clean the oil ways in the block out carefully and then re-seal the plugs.

For the head fastenings I use ARP, but if you can re-use the original studs the uprated mini nuts are good.

Hi

Yeah, could be easy to go OTT but as the head is done, shouldn't be to bad. I know a good machinist that did the head I can use (Did the head for 180 rather than the 900 AGRA in Dundee wanted!). Already have ARP head bolts so might see what the do for the big ends ect.

I would be getting the block magna fluxed and check anyway so will have to redo the plugs (lucky have a set in my spares pile).

Regards

Barry

[yorkshire_spam]

Did the head for 180 rather than the 900 AGRA in Dundee wanted!

900?! That's outright attempted robbery. I got my 1500 head ported, flowed and rebuilt with hardened seats for half that a few years ago!

Already have ARP head bolts so might see what the do for the big ends ect.

Cool! I actually replaced the bolts on the mains with cap-head HTs. I changed the rods for ones that came with ARP bolts - but that was just vanity spending.