Is This Correct?

S

steveg1664

New Member
I've just gone through the engine section of my Haynes manual in preparation for pulling my TC lump and Blueprinting it. In the first paragraph, headed general description, the manual describes both the crankshaft and con rods as being "forged". I'd love to think this is correct, but some how doubt that it is, given the cost of such parts and Haynes frequently being less accurate than The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy. Does anyone know if this is right or not? I know I will find out when I strip the engine but that's some time off yet and the money saved on not needing a billet crank could be used for other modifications.
 
Wow! Forged / billet crank for a Rover engine sounds like a serious undertaking! Where are you going with this little exercise?

Tuning the 4 cyl Rover has one serious impediment right at the start in that it's a "heron head" design. That is, the combustion chamber is formed by a depression in the piston, allowing a simple and cheap to produce flat cylinder head.

I do know of people who've tuned them. My first port of call would be to Richard Moon at P6 Spares at Newbury P6 Spares . I believe he has a tuned 2200 motor that he used to use for rallying for sale as well. Colin Gould would also be a good contact at Kingsdown, his web site seems to have disappeared but i can get his number if you need it.

One obvious first requirement will be a 2200TC head as these have bigger valves.

Keep us posted!

Chris
 
Thanks Chris,

I'm doing this in my garage and shed at home, fortunately both have power and light!

Ultimately I may not need to change the crank and rods even if they are as I suspect cast, but I have to budget for it at this stage.

Actually the Heron head is not that bigger problem in the Rover's case as the piston crown design is quite good and you can promote quite good gas flow with very little work. Although ultimate race spec engines usually have a "chambered head" you can get serious BHP out of a Ford Kent with the original flat head!

Sadly neither a 2200 engine or cylinder head are permited for homologation purposes in FIA Historic Rallying, which is where we are aiming for eventually. Wouldn't buy the engine anyway as I like doing my own builds when I can.

Your recommendation is much appreciated though as I may be able to get some advice regarding the roll cage and some other details.

So far I have a 72 TC in very good condition having been a private museum piece for the last five years. So far I have stripped out the interior (thus saving about 25lbs more than the weight of the cage!) and am in the process of cleaning the floor pan, inner sills, A, B and C posts prior to welding in stiffeners and the cage. When thats done I shall move on to the suspension and brakes and will finish off with the drive train. Hopefully I will get this all done by the middle of next year. We shall see.

Steve
 
Sounds very interesting, I was talking to a mechanic that works on 1KUE, and apparently the head currently used in there was worked on by Bill Blydenstien (mind my spelling) of Vaux tuning fame. I've no idea what power outputs they were getting.
 
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