How To: Restore a Morris or keep fit

[Mike K]

Seems like Morris 6 engines were being salvaged .

This scene was at TOLGA ? Is that in QLD ? A PU8 Morris wreck, with four chaps doing something, I don't know what .

[Mike K]

I have new Morris 6 valves , got them from Cox & Turner years ago .

As an experiment, I had a go at refacing the worn and pitted exhaust valves that were taken out of the original CS8 motor. I used a 4 jaw chuck and a HSS tool in a lathe. A few very light cuts and a polish with emery cloth . These are not hard stellite valves that would normally need a grinder.

The refaced valves are good enough to use again but I will be using the new valves because they have more " meat" on them.

[Mike K]

The Morris engine block is back from the engine machinist . The cost of the boring job really surprised me, these engine places charge like a wounded bull. I had the block and head re-surfaced and the block dipped in a bath to clean it out. I should have got a quote but would that have made any difference ? It seemed like a rippoff to me and I'd like to know what others have been charged .

Does anybody know what the average cost of a rebore and hone is these days ? per cylinder ?

[Ian Mastin]

Hi Mike,

Can you tell us the name of the engine machining shop that you used please? Reason I will be looking for someone to machine my Ford Flathead V8 out of my Fordson WOT in time and also Mike could you Pm me what it cost you please just to give me an idea on cost.

Regards
Ian

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by Ian Mastin

Hi Mike,

Can you tell us the name of the engine machining shop that you used please? Reason I will be looking for someone to machine my Ford Flathead V8 out of my Fordson WOT in time and also Mike could you Pm me what it cost you please just to give me an idea on cost.

Regards
Ian

Hi Ian

I won't name the engine rebuilders but I've sent u a PM . I've discovered the block hasn't been dipped as he said he would, its in exactly the same uncleaned as when I dropped it off to him.

It cost $1650 for a bore and hone and the deck re-surfaced and the head re-surfaced.

Also found 2 small cracks in the block next to a stud .

[Dave Mills]

I suppose it all depends on your instructions to the reconditioner Mike. He may have just taken you literally? However, I would take the block back to your reconditioner and shove it up his "A..e". To have been told it was dipped and to have a block reconditioned with cracks without even communication with you is poor form indeed.

The local Engine Reconditioner here in town has just finished my B60 and I have done just on 3000K's on the reco motor.

I had the B60 engine dismantled, over hauled, including the block being pressure cleaned (could not put the block in the dipping tanks due to the amount of Alloy components in the block which will just disappear in the solution).

Upon inspection it required three cylinders to be machined and sleeves fitted (B60 never had sleeves) 6 x .020" oversizes pistons fitted, cylinder head machined down .090" and recondition with four inlet valves being replaced. Even took the time to recalculate the compression ratios to ensure I could run on the higher octane unleaded fuels.

Engine reassembled, painted, and, loaded into my trailer. Took the local bloke 6 weeks and it started first piston up. A great job seeing the complexity of a Rolls Royce engine compared to the stock standard engine. I supplied the VRS gasket overhaul kit, NOS valves, NOS piston and ring sets and the paint, all up it cost me just on $7200

If you want PM me and I will pass on the name of my local bloke in Seymour. He has so much work that at a minimum you will be waiting 6 to 8 weeks.

Hang in there Mike, it is disappointing when this occurs and can make some just walk away from their restoration.

Cheers,

Dave.

[Mike K]

Hi Dave

Thanks for the encouraging words . So far I have been fortunate because: with all of the old vehicles I have played with over the years, I have got away with just fitting new rings and honing, doing this myself at minimal cost. This is my first experience at dealing with a professional engine re-builder and unfortunately , it's turned a little sour !

I am hoping that the cracks are minor and they will not effect the performance of the engine ! I will try some loctite on the stud and hopefully it will seal it . I will make new studs on my lathe.

re: head gaskets, I found this interesting business based in Thailand , you email them a scan of your gasket and they will make the gasket . The feedback seems positive.

http://www.gasketstogo.com/