Engine Rebuild

[gucu]

Hi All

I'm currently having my engine rebuilt. Top end done moving on to bottom end. I'm wondering if I should rebuild the carb and a new exhaust. The exhaust has reached end of life so I will get a new one but just wondering whether it is worth upgrading to a different manifold (3 into 1), and stainless exhaust. Also is it worth upgrading the carb or simply get a rebuild kit.

The car once done will be a daily use car. It will be my only car so I am trying to get into a good condition and also one that will handle modern motoring.

I am doing a suspension overhaul at the same time.

Thanks

Rich

[svenedin]

Hi All

I'm currently having my engine rebuilt. Top end done moving on to bottom end. I'm wondering if I should rebuild the carb and a new exhaust. The exhaust has reached end of life so I will get a new one but just wondering whether it is worth upgrading to a different manifold (3 into 1), and stainless exhaust. Also is it worth upgrading the carb or simply get a rebuild kit.

The car once done will be a daily use car. It will be my only car so I am trying to get into a good condition and also one that will handle modern motoring.

I am doing a suspension overhaul at the same time.

Thanks

Rich

What engine do you have?

To get the best from an engine rebuild you definitely need the carburettor and distributor in excellent condition. Otherwise you will have fuelling and ignition timing issues spoiling the performance of your rebuilt engine and you will be disappointed.

If you change to a collector exhaust manifold and large bore exhaust you will lose the characteristic exhaust parps.

Stephen

[gucu]

Thanks for the advice. I'm glad you told me about the exhaust.

Rich

[myoldjalopy]

As long as your carb matches the engine I wouldn't bother 'upgrading' it......

[King Kenny]

Keep It Simple is my moto. If you want to improve on the standard carb have a look at the David Vizard book on tuning the A series engine. There is no need to go to extremes. I squared out the carburetter bore and ported the standard manifold as he describes and have found that sufficient. A std stainless steel exhaust is a good investment. Mine is over 45 years old. The car will never perform like a GTS, but it can be capable and reliable. Just laugh in the face of the Euro boxes destined for the scrap heap in 6 years time.

[gucu]

Thanks for all the help. Keeping it simple!

[svenedin]

Thanks for all the help. Keeping it simple!

Good idea. Once you start "upgrading" things it potentially never ends. Better to try to get the car in excellent mechanical health for reliability and then accept and enjoy it for what it is. The good thing about a standard car is that parts are easily available and the workshop manual is a great help. Once you stray "off piste" you have to remember all the modifications, other people or mechanics may not understand them and parts may become a serious headache.

+1 on a standard stainless steel exhaust. Mine is a bit noisier than a mild steel one but it will last for decades.

Stephen