How reliable are big engines?

**fbiiburton** · 08-03-2010, 07:29 PM

Im talking 1915 and above ? Ok i know there is factors to consider but im saying a well built engine. Are they any good still ? or are the boundaries to close for having a good reliable engine. Whats your thoughts guys

Tricky · 08-03-2010, 07:39 PM

reduce your 3 monthly check / maintenance to weekly and you'll be fine. Maybe tear down and rebuild every 10000 miles instead of 60000 too

67splitty · 08-03-2010, 08:06 PM

I run a 2276 in my bus, i built it, the thread is on here somewhere

Been in a year now, done 6000 miles, broke down twice

First breakdown,stripped rear hub splines (nowt to do with engine

) and second time at RTTH the filter head blew apart

(crap casting so again,not an engine fault) I use compression tester and a torque gauge to check engine wear, and the compression has gone up since the build (due to the rings bedding in) and the torque required to turn it has also increased in line with the compression so bearings etc are fine too. Like you say, if its well built (Laurie Pettite etc) then they are fine, just good maintenance and there is no reason they will be any different than a stocker unless they are very high comp/high reving highly tuned you should be fine

You tempted by one of them bugs with a big motor then eh

Coxy · 08-03-2010, 08:06 PM

Build one from a Type 4 block and you'll be fine!

**fbiiburton** · 08-03-2010, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67splitty

I run a 2276 in my bus, i built it, the thread is on here somewhere

Been in a year now, done 6000 miles, broke down twice

First breakdown,stripped rear hub splines (nowt to do with engine

) and second time at RTTH the filter head blew apart

(crap casting so again,not an engine fault) I use compression tester and a torque gauge to check engine wear, and the compression has gone up since the build (due to the rings bedding in) and the torque required to turn it has also increased in line with the compression so bearings etc are fine too. Like you say, if its well built (Laurie Pettite etc) then they are fine, just good maintenance and there is no reason they will be any different than a stocker unless they are very high comp/high reving highly tuned you should be fine

You tempted by one of them bugs with a big motor then eh

Its that bug you put up pal. (in the bug for £4Im thinking of it yes?

Mr Self Destruct · 08-03-2010, 10:20 PM

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I heard that its more down to how you drive it than the actual size. i.e. you can build a race-spec 1641 that won't last as long as a 'street' 1914.

Race engines are designed for quick short bursts of full power, where street engines are designed for reliability.

Popular opinion among folk in my experience says that you'll get a good 100bhp out of an engine where the only mod is 1776 B&Ps.

Ratlook '70 · 08-03-2010, 10:45 PM

told you you wanted a big engine you bastard.

jinx · 08-03-2010, 10:56 PM

id also guess that you could go bigger if you stroked the motor? you could keep the cylinder size down?
saying that, id use stock parts where everpossible for relibility

also comes down to quality parts being used
the motor is only as good as the weakest part

JARV · 08-03-2010, 11:15 PM

Don't be tempted by cheap engines from the States on Samba - I was...................... not a good idea

markowhito · 08-03-2010, 11:20 PM

im runnin a 2276 and ive had it around 3 or 4 years i cant remember now. ive broke down afew times but its never been the engine. ive stripped rear hub splines twice. (cant help but use the line loc and smoke the tyers so its my fault). clutch cable. accelerator cable. thrust bearing. there was another one but the engine has always been fine. i do service it regular and just keep a eye on it and all is good.