Race Engine builder in the midlands

[andy.blue.mini]

Evening all,

I'm looking to have my engine built back up by someone in the midlands. Has anyone got any good reviews as I have had mixed ones so far. It's a race 1380 steel s crank and lots of other trick bits. I have built one in the past but I'm a little worried it could be an expensive mistake if it goes wrong.

Should I go for it and follow DV's book?

Andy

[andy.blue.mini]

A few images of the build from last year and Curborough

Andy

[anonymous-user]

Not sure if JonSpeed build race engines.
Have a look on their site but they're a good company.

[Evoderby]

Andy, with the right tools and enough patience you can definetly build the engine yourself.

Especially when doing things for the first time do realise that doing a proper job requires building the engine about three times (also known as dry builds) to check, check and double check. e.g. Plastigauze the bearings in order to check the correct clearances, check crank endfloat with a micrometer, gap the rings, check piston deck height, time the cam (either by using offset woodruf keys, or easy to use vernier wheels).

Make a project list of things to do (check DV for methodology / Haynes for torque settings etc.) and make notes in the process / tick off boxes for correct measurements. Having an experienced person around to mentor you and perform sanity checks at different milestones is a great way to build your engine without any worries.

When having someone else perform the work, I would definately look further than a workshop's convenient location (!). Those who have their engines running reliably in competition (historic rallying / miglia) would get my vote.

The list is long but includes names such as Bill Richards, Slark, Longman (Brett Sims), Swiftune, MED, Race Techniques amongst others. Oselli used to be great in the old days, don't know how things are now. I'm sure there are others in the UK (I'm in Holland) who can chip in and point you towards a reputable address.

As far as Jonspeed is concerned, I am sorry to say that I haven't had that good an experience with them to put it mildly. That was back in the 90's however so maybe they've changed their ways, maybe a google search will bring forward more recent experience....

Hope this helps!

[FWDRacer]

http://www.shengineering.co.uk

[pikeyboy]

Peter Burgess used to build the a series in my frogeye.

You could try MED but I hope you have deep pockets!

[andy.blue.mini]

Hi thanks for the input so far. I had dealings with Jonspeed also in the 90s and wasn't great. They might of got better since the.

TTP in Bromsgrove did the RR on the last one but a rebuilt on the new lump is around 1K, is this about right?

MED would be nice as a lot of the parts are MED, sadly i cant sell my kidney just yet.

Think i will have a ride to SH on Saturday and see what they say.

Thanks again.

[pikeyboy]

For just a refresh, new shells and rings a grand sounds a tad over priced. Anyway in my experience there is no such thing as a refresh once you get started, measure cam lift and it'll be lower than spec, new billet cam needed and followers. roller rockers will have play on the rockershaft, valve guides will have play, only so many times you can hone the bores without compromising the piston ring gap. With a race engine reliability and performance are key so I never used to want to take any risks and just ended up rebuilding mine everyother season alternating with gear box!
Racing is never cheap.

[Steffan]

There is a PH'er called David Vizard on PH who is undoubtedly the greatest living expert on tuning the A series.

I would PM him. I believe he is still offering services.

Outstanding ability an a very nice man. Really knowledgeable enthusiast and engineer. He loves the challenge of getting the most out of an engine.

Len Swan, of Wildmoor cars is a Race Engine builder based in West Bromwich.

He has just rebuilt a Terrapin (pucca historic single seater racing car with Mini engine) for a pal of mine ready for racing this season and it is quite outstanding with a full race 1340cc engine.

Unbelievably smooth and very very powerful. Lovely job.

And he is really sensible on prices.

If you need a contact PM me I will send you his details.

[Steffan]

David Vizzard is currently posting on PH under
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

The explanation of the efforts he made to analyse the Best way to tine the A series siamesed ports is masterly.

Well worth reading ff you are into A series engines like me.