Campervan ailments

[scooters]

Oh dear -

 

yesterday, driving my 16 mile commute from Dalgety Bay (Fife) to home (Edinburgh) in the Sherpa I ran out of gas about a mile from home - the fuel needle is a bit dodgey but i knew I was pushing it. As the wife wouldn't come and rescue me (she was busy preparing my birthday tea as I was 40 yesterday) and as I was in a pisspoor place to break down - cheesing off loadsa drivers who were full of helpful advice such as "you can't park there" and "you are irresponsible driving such an old and unreliable vehicle" (this form an Audi driver, obviously) and I had responded with the traditional Edinburgh dialect response of: "Get tae f*ck!" i decided to phone the AA.

 

an hour later the chap turned up and we filled the van with some juice and of course it started right off - as an added bonus I asked him for his opinion about the loss of power and the rather rubbish sound the engine has been making - testing the spark etc being a 2 man job - anyway the diagnosis is that cyninders 2 and 3 have tap all compression ....uh oh....

 

I suspect that the overheating problem I had on the mammoth drive to Surrey in November caused mainly by a pisspoor radiator has cooked the head or knackerd the CHG...

 

OK so some advice please -

 

options as i see it are:

 

1/ source a replacement head and do the work myself - this may result in issues with the valves and also the piston rings as well - the engine has done 91000 miles

 

2/ source a reconned 1.8 B series Engine - seem to be around £700 for a rebuilt MGB one - these are more highly tuned and I may have to fit twin carbs due to the inlet manifold issues

 

3/ source a reconned 1.8 B series Diesel engine - the only issue with this is that the narrow boat crowd love them for their boats which keeps prices artificially high

 

4/ source an O series engine - this should be a striaght fit and apparantly they are easier and cheaper to source than B series and have the advantage of an OHC and an extra 10-15 BHP

 

5/ research the possibility of fitting an XUD 1.9 lump as fitted to the later Pilot - this would require a new gear box and I'm not sure about this as the increased power could make stopping amusing

 

Ideally I would like to fix the head myself but if pushed the logical cure seems to be to drop in an O series the mechanics for this are beyond me though

 

any ideas?

[nigel bickle]

Skint option -sort the head

 

Quick option -change the lump

 

good luck

[pogweasel]

b series diesel is the hardcore shite option. But a tuned sherpa would be amusing

.

[Lankytim]

I have a 2 litre injection montego thats going for scrap soon. Is the engine out of that of any use? It would be uber cheap.

[scooters]

Interestingly enough - engine wise the MGB B series tuned option might not be so daft due to the plethora of parts avaliable and I could also drop in an overdrive gear box - I suspect the gearbox would be the issue and how an MGB one would cope with shifting the lump of iron and plywood - it could eat clutches.....

 

I'm going to see how sourceable a head is

 

fortunately as it is a push rod lump the head replacement could be an easy temporary option as I am skint at the moment -

 

I will also need:

 

new push rods (might as well replace them

new radiator

new thermostat

new gaskets

new rocker cover and gasket (a nice shiney chrome one)

new plugs

new HT leads

 

it all adds up!

[scooters]

I have a 2 litre injection montego thats going for scrap soon. Is the engine out of that of any use? It would be uber cheap.

 

thanks Tim,

 

I'm going to steer clear of more powerful units as the brakes are mince on the sherpa and the last thing I need is any more speed - thanks for the offer though!

[Lankytim]

Oh, don't overestimate the power of the O series! Its a FWD confuguration so would probably be a mega faff to install anyway.

 

Long term would it be easy to source a late diesel LDV pilot and fit the engine and box from that?

[seth]

91k is no problem for a B series if its been reasonably looked after. As long as its not burning loads of oil there should be no need to get involved in piston rings etc. If you're planning on keeping it for a while then it'd definitely be worth getting either your existing or a replacement head sorted with hard exhaust valve seats for unleaded. New pushrods? Why?

 

You could easily run an MGB engine on one carb and with a single downpipe exhaust. There were 1.8 Marinas with single HS6 SUs. But depending on the parts used on your existing lump (is it a 1622?) the MGB one won't necessarily go straight on. There is some engineering and parts swapping required to fit a 1798 into a Farina for sure. An MGB lump would cope perfectly well with the weight of a Sherpa. MGBs aren't exactly lightweight!

 

I have the head off my Oxfords original 1622 engine here if its any use. Would have to treat it as a core unit to rebuild though. And I realise its a long way from you...

[scooters]

Oh, don't overestimate the power of the O series! Its a FWD confuguration so would probably be a mega faff to install anyway.

 

Long term would it be easy to source a late diesel LDV pilot and fit the engine and box from that?

 

O series is a pretty striaghtforward fit - the Sherpa had them as standard from about 1976 till the mid 80's - if anything they are more common in Sherpas than the Bs

 

There LDV PSA engine might not be a daft idea - once again it is quite powerful but it would be a reliable long term option and you can get a good one for a couple of hundred quid - that would save money for the labour

 

r

[scooters]

91k is no problem for a B series if its been reasonably looked after. As long as its not burning loads of oil there should be no need to get involved in piston rings etc. If you're planning on keeping it for a while then it'd definitely be worth getting either your existing or a replacement head sorted with hard exhaust valve seats for unleaded. New pushrods? Why?

 

You could easily run an MGB engine on one carb and with a single downpipe exhaust. There were 1.8 Marinas with single HS6 SUs. But depending on the parts used on your existing lump (is it a 1622?) the MGB one won't necessarily go straight on. There is some engineering and parts swapping required to fit a 1798 into a Farina for sure. An MGB lump would cope perfectly well with the weight of a Sherpa. MGBs aren't exactly lightweight!

 

I have the head off my Oxfords original 1622 engine here if its any use. Would have to treat it as a core unit to rebuild though. And I realise its a long way from you...

 

cheers Seth,

 

the van doesn't use much oil so the rings are probably ok - the only reason I was looking at doing it was the head would be off anyway -

 

My lump is definately an 1800.

 

I've been researching replacment heads and they are coming in at around £350-400 with valves/springs etc fitted - unleaded ready to go.

 

I might see if I can find an engineers in Edinburgh and have them skim the head, test it for warping and sort the valve seats - not ideal but it would be a stop gap

 

I will need a new rocker cover though - my one is horrible - basic alloy ones come in at a tenner -

 

question for you though - what's the difference between a breatheable cover and a non breathable one - same with oil filler caps?

[M'coli]

Interestingly enough - engine wise the MGB B series tuned option might not be so daft due to the plethora of parts avaliable and I could also drop in an overdrive gear box - I suspect the gearbox would be the issue and how an MGB one would cope with shifting the lump of iron and plywood - it could eat clutches.....

 

I'm going to see how sourceable a head is

 

fortunately as it is a push rod lump the head replacement could be an easy temporary option as I am skint at the moment -

 

I will also need:

 

new push rods (might as well replace them

new radiator

new thermostat

new gaskets

new rocker cover and gasket (a nice shiney chrome one)

new plugs

new HT leads

 

it all adds up!

There are 3 unleaded MGB heads on eBay at the moment (one at £199 and 2 at 250), and head gasket sets are about 15 quid - it's the simplest option, should take an evening to swap them over.

[barefoot]

Don't try to increase the performance too much.

I speak from VW T2 experience.

A friend upped his engine to excess - 2.4l - it ran 15.1 second quarters

He was surprised when it constantly ran very hot & buggered his holiday.

Another friend & I did the London to Brighton - me 1584cc, him overbored to 1776cc & twin carbs.

Ran together & re-fuelled together - he paid 50% more than me both times.

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

5/ research the possibility of fitting an XUD 1.9 lump as fitted to the later Pilot - this would require a new gear box and I'm not sure about this as the increased power could make stopping amusing

 

I think they have less power than a B-series - 75bhp and about 95lb/ft of torque.

[pogweasel]

A turbo'd psa dizzler would be epic though.

That is dream shite for me, smiley sherpa with enough motive force to whip along.

[garethj]

Get the head rebuilt or replaced yourself, as it’s an OHV engine it should be a doddle, and you’ll know it’s in good shape. As it’s not using oil why not leave the rings alone unless they’re really easy to change and you’re in the mood? Beware of an engine that someone else has reconditioned; all you’re doing is swapping an engine with a known problem for one with unknown problems.

 

When it’s running nicely you can keep looking for an alternative engine, a PSA diesel or something, so you’re sourcing one at your leisure.

[RedSparrow]

1. Kill an MGB

2. Save a Sherpa

3. WIN WIN WIN

 

In all seriousness though, yeah I would agree with these chaps - an MG B series will be easier to sort in the future.

[scooters]

been quoted £100 for pressure testing the head and skimming it (if there are no cracks) by an engineers in Bathgate. They'll also shim up the valves and rebuild it for me

[M'coli]

Valve clearances on these should be a screwdriver and spanner job, no shims involved.

[scooters]

Valve clearances on these should be a screwdriver and spanner job, no shims involved.

 

fills me with confidence - mind you in Bathgate-ese - shine does sound like shim so maybe that's what he meant

[seth]

There are 3 unleaded MGB heads on eBay at the moment (one at £199 and 2 at 250), and head gasket sets are about 15 quid - it's the simplest option, should take an evening to swap them over.

 

What he said. It sounds like you're not that confident at mechanical work yourself but really, its just nuts and bolts stuff. Torque wrench would be a good idea when doing things up but otherwise you shouldn't need anything but a few spanners and sockets. A cylinder head swap was the first major mechanical task I ever did on my A35.

 

Beware that there are two different types of rocker shaft oil feed, centre and offset. If you got a head with the hole in a different place to you current one then you would starve the rocker shaft of oil. You might be able to work it out by searching on line with your engine number but being a Sherpa the number series may be different to the MGB ones. Also looks like 74/75 was the change over. It mght be best to get your rocker shaft off first before ordering your head so you know for sure which it is.

 

As M'coli said there's no "shimming" involved. In fact you can only set the clearances once the head's fitted and torqued down, compressing the gasket. I suspect that place has modern OHC engines on the mind.

[scooters]

thanks Seth,

 

I'm confident to carry out a head replacement - been 10 years since i have done one but not overly concerned - my issue would be replacing the engine as i lack the experience but more importantly lack the facilities especially the lifting gear required for such a job.

 

I'm gonna see if I can proceed with the existing head before getting a new one - definately the cheapest option

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Yo LT! I'll find a space for this Montego engine, spesh if its uber cheap. I havent got a use for it but one might come up, such as in an Ital or summert thats been tigerbummed by a Minor lover!!! Is it healthy?

[pogweasel]

Whats TIGERBUMMING?

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Dont you know what tigerbumming is Pog?

 

[Lankytim]

Hi Bol, yes its healthy but will need slight reassembling to run as the previous owner removed the dizzy cap, leads, one spakplug and a few vaccum pipes, nothing major anyway. I think everything is there for it to run though.

 

Theres a vid of it running somewhere if I can find it..

 

Here it is... enjoy!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ll3ywUyp81A

[CreepingJesus]

The only engine repairer of repute that I know in Fife, is Brian Black in Kirkaldy. He'd sort your skim out for you.

If, on the other hand, you fancy the XUD conversion, I might know some shite-ists in Spaghetti Bay who might have an XUD lying about.

EDIT: If you fancy a hand, PM me...I'll bring cynicism and sockets.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Hi Bol, yes its healthy but will need slight reassembling to run as the previous owner removed the dizzy cap, leads, one spakplug and a few vaccum pipes, nothing major anyway. I think everything is there for it to run though.

 

Theres a vid of it running somewhere if I can find it..

 

Here it is... enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ll3ywUyp81A

 

Hey that video is enough to put anyone off buying it!!!!

[scooters]

The only engine repairer of repute that I know in Fife, is Brian Black in Kirkaldy. He'd sort your skim out for you.

If, on the other hand, you fancy the XUD conversion, I might know some shite-ists in Spaghetti Bay who might have an XUD lying about.

EDIT: If you fancy a hand, PM me...I'll bring cynicism and sockets.

 

 

Thanks messiah, may well take you up on this - my concern is if the block needs skimming - although i like the B series dropping in an XUD might not be so daft - if there is a gearbox going spare it might be a good idea - whatever I do will have to wait a month or so as I am skint at the moment however, Mrs Scooters seems to think the campervan is a good idea so I will have a budget

[scooters]

BTW do you know ubershitist Neil Fawcett - lives in Spagetti Bay and dabbles in the peddaling of shite

[CreepingJesus]

Name doesn't ring a bell: maybe he's the old guy with the handlbar moustache, who drives a (iirc) Marina based kit car, and sometimes an S2000? He usually has some interesting motors. And he doesn't hang around, up the back roads! The only other shite-ist I know for sure, in the Bay has a thing for Americana of the 70's.

I was thinking of Normand + Thomson, up Ridge Way in the industrial estate. They used to run a number of LDV's and always had spare engines. I'm thinking that now they run Mercs, there might be some spares going a-begging. Maybe even a gearbox perchance.

The N/A XUD's are very tough engines - it goes without saying, as millions of Africans can't be wrong - but very noisy. Especially in an LDV, and I couldn't see a Sherp being much different. Maybe some Mastic sheet or other sound deadener would help. And you'll need an R380 'box with the LDV bellhousing. One of the scrappies in Randolph Ind Est, Kirkcaldy used to have scads of them. Can't remember which, tho'.