Riddler
Active Member
Well, big news. Decided to have the engine on my Rover 3500S totally rebuilt.
Strangely it all began when I stopped getting any heat into the car.
Investigations into this eventually pointed to cylinder head gaskets.
I took the car to the Rover genius that is Tom Cheetham at Lakeside Garage in Rudyard to get the work done, but once he got the head off and examined the engine he found that as well as the gaskets (which were shot) there were camshaft issues and significant wear on the followers.
He said he could just do the gaskets but would really recommend a strip down and rebuild.
I decided to bite the bullet and get the work done.
Two weeks later I have just picked the car up - and what a difference!
I thought it was running reasonably well before (these engines are very forgiving) but now I really know what a Rover 3500S would have felt like from new - absolutely super smooth and effortless acceleration, though of course at present I am still running it in!
He replaced the pistons, piston rings, camshaft, water pump, timing gear, chains and cam followers. The head was skimmed and the valves re-seated.
It has emptied the bank account a bit, but I am thrilled with the car. Tom was absolutely meticulous in his work and the engine rebuild is a credit to him.
I have attached some pictures of before, then after, the work was done for those who are interested.
Oh . . . and the car heater is now working!!!
Strangely it all began when I stopped getting any heat into the car.
Investigations into this eventually pointed to cylinder head gaskets.
I took the car to the Rover genius that is Tom Cheetham at Lakeside Garage in Rudyard to get the work done, but once he got the head off and examined the engine he found that as well as the gaskets (which were shot) there were camshaft issues and significant wear on the followers.
He said he could just do the gaskets but would really recommend a strip down and rebuild.
I decided to bite the bullet and get the work done.
Two weeks later I have just picked the car up - and what a difference!
I thought it was running reasonably well before (these engines are very forgiving) but now I really know what a Rover 3500S would have felt like from new - absolutely super smooth and effortless acceleration, though of course at present I am still running it in!
He replaced the pistons, piston rings, camshaft, water pump, timing gear, chains and cam followers. The head was skimmed and the valves re-seated.
It has emptied the bank account a bit, but I am thrilled with the car. Tom was absolutely meticulous in his work and the engine rebuild is a credit to him.
I have attached some pictures of before, then after, the work was done for those who are interested.
Oh . . . and the car heater is now working!!!
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