Spot the difference

Just done a compression check after having a bit of a smokey engine. (it started after a good thrashing round north weald last month)
Cyl#1 = 135psi
Cyl#2 = 140psi
Cyl#3 = 40psi
Cyl#4 = 140psi

After chucking some oil down cyl#3 it came up to 150psi, so rings or piston.

Will be going down the route of fitting forged pistons, what make do you guys recommend ?

Oh bugger. Think your good generally with cp or je pistons

At least it has given me the push to upgrade and spend some money on it.

Thermal wrote:At least it has given me the push to upgrade and spend some money on it.

I had a similiar thing earlier this year. Thats not good it was at 40psi. Least a rebuild will keep the engine living for a good few more years.

Have you got any pictures of your car. I can kinda see your front arches, looks nice just like to see it in more detail.

Thermal wrote:At least it has given me the push to upgrade and spend some money on it.

Great attitude need more R owners like you

Sorry to hear about your engin as johnn y said its a great attitude to have people have to realise that theses engines are old they will let go eventually especially after the type of thrashing they get but most of them get rebuilt to be stronger.
So again well done for the positive attitude I'm sure everyone on here will help you along the rebuild and you have give other people inspiration and hope.

Yeah, I knew it was going to happen eventually, here we go, pistons, cams mapping ETC, just starting a new job next month so will be tied up with that for a while, but at least I can now start collecting parts ready for the build, so hopefully lots of shiney bits to admire, and start the build early next year, get ready for the questions!

Such a nice car maybe put a standard engine in then sell engine next year when you start the build ? Cars hate sitting worse than running them

Yeah mine sat for a year and its took me ages ironing out all the little faults etc, especially if you cant start and move it regulary. Good luck with her glad your spirits are high its a very nice car!

maybe using tools instead of a iron might of speeded things up no wonder it took ages

Best for road & track use combination is cp in my opinion, they also good price if shop around or even cheaper if have friends in US who can ship them for you.

I think Bucky (mark) had a new set at a good price only for sale as they were different size to what he needed  save on shipping

Don't go buying pistons until bores checked or you have same problem bucky did.

Thanks for the advice B, just got to find some time to strip it now.

if its a road car use cp pistons they are very good.
if however you are planning on using car on track a lot and you are pushing it close to the limits then use je pistons instead as will be more reliable under extreme heat than cp counterparts

Just popped the pistons out today, this is what I found on Cyl#3, also on cyl#1, bores look ok, I just need to get them measured/checked before I order some nice shiney pistons.

Ouch are they forged pistons ???

Look standard

Yep they are standard, well less than standard now!

Yep as said above by the guys get the block checked my sure the cylinders are good, (mine still had honing marks but had ovalled a bore).

But if you need standard size forged cps I have still got a set for sale. Saves waiting 3 weeks delivery from states and the £80-90 import duty

I will keep them in mind when I get it checked.

You really need to check why they went like that in the first instance, that engine had been detting severely, so there's an underlying issue there somewhere, could be too much boost, fuelling problem, too much ignition advance, vacuum leak etc etc.
Also check around combustion chamber on cylinder head and around top edge of block on inlet side as chances are that one or both could have suffered damage.

Thanks Bob, I will check that out, and you are right the set up was not great, a bit of det I think, needless to say you will be getting a visit for mapping when rebuilt and when I decide which aftermarket ECU to use.