I think I found a Unicorn!

[MGBV8]

You're killin' me, Fred!

"The liners are 3.920" od. so I'm pushing the limit a little I think."

Considering there is really not enough meat in the block with the stock liners, I would think the same.

[BlownMGB-V8]

That's possible. Sometimes we go too far with these engines. That reminds me of a certain ill fated wet liner project awhile back. But, if we don't try we'd never know would we?

Do you suppose there is any reason why we couldn't use a higher quality metal in the liners, such as for instance a chrome-moly steel?

Jim

[DiDueColpi]

The red block that I'm using should leave me with at least a 0.100" min. cylinder wall thickness. And yes it will be checked.
That along with the 0.070" liner wall thickness should be more than adequate for the power level that I'm looking at.
If I were using power adders or winding it up hard, this would be a different build. But I think that this will be a comfortable 250hp 6500 rpm engine that should stay together for a good while.
So I'm really hoping that you're wrong Carl. :-)
I am open to constructive criticism and inspired opposition. But I'm also a stubborn old shit, so I've got to give it a go!

Live like you mean it.
Fred

[MGBV8]

Got my fingers crossed for ya, Fred!

I have used the calculators for hours & hours juggling the 3 different Rover strokes with different rods & off the shelf pistons attempting an easy bolt together engine.  I have finally decided custom pistons is the easiest route.  And, maybe not any more expensive if it offsets some machine shop work.  Seems there really is no such thing as cheap when building a Rover V8.

[DiDueColpi]

Yah, I know Carl. My brain is still a little fuzzed out from that exercise.
It may still get custom pistons as the measurements on the world wide interweb are all over the map.
Won't know for sure until I have the parts in hand. Hopefully by the weekend.
The good news is that the block has been tested and there is nothing below 3.0mm for bore thickness.
The bad is that they have to make a counterbore tool for the top of the cylinder. And that might take some time.
Oh well, no rush. I don't even know what I'll put it into yet.

Cheers
Fred

[BlownMGB-V8]

3mm is 1/8", should be OK with the liner. Can't wait to see how it turns out.

Jim

[DiDueColpi]

Found another piston option if the LS ones don't pan out.
It's right back to the good old 305 chevy  
Wiseco has an off the shelf piston that will work with the 4.0 rover rod and 4.6 crank.
Part # K0137X3 is a forged piston 3.766" bore, 0.927" pin with the near perfect 1.250" compression height.
A little spendy @ around $650.00 per set but probably cheaper than all the machine work that I'm staring at.
And it buys me another 0.034" of liner thickness.
Just have to bush the rover rod.
Still going to try the LS stuff first as it's paid for and shipped. But we'll see.

[pcmenten]

I have been watching this thread to see how things turn out. I still have a 4.0 engine. I was researching the use of Sodium Silicate as a block sealing solution, possibly even a block repair solution; mixing aluminum shavings with Sodium Silicate and applying it in eroded or cracked spots.

I would want to use Fred's 305 liners to make a 4.9 (or bigger) stroker motor.

[DiDueColpi]

The LS pistons, rings and rods arrived today.
Didn't have time to measure anything. But will check it out and post pics tomorrow,
Here's hoping!

[roverman]

Fred,
       You might want to double-check the LS rod offset, in the RV8 bore ?  SBC needs different side/side to center in RV8. Too bad you don't like hyd. roller cams.....   Good Luck,( probably won't need it).

[DiDueColpi]

Ok, so pulled out the old measuring stick.
The rods are exactly as expected with an average 6.0988" center to center.
The pistons look good with a 1.318" compression height. All eight are exactly the same which is impressive for the white box units that I purchased.

The pistons are cast and look decent. With a projected 32hp  per hole and 6500 rpm ceiling they should be more than adequate.


They also have a 70 thou dish. Which means that I can reasonably shave 80 thou off the piston and use the 4.0 rod with no mods!



If I can gain enough chamber in the 300 heads this might just work.


Cheers
Fred

[MGBV8]

"The pistons are cast and look decent"

Yes they do.  Not plain ol' cast pistons.  Hypereutectic, right?

[DiDueColpi]

Yes you're right Carl they are HT.
Patiently (sort of!) waiting for the liners to get fit into the block.

Cheers
Fred

[roverman]

FWIW, Smokey Yunick, never would have made sbc's live at Indy, without sodium silicate(egg keep/old school).

[7sand8s]

Fred...updates

[mgb260]

Just a bump to see what Fred is up to!

[mgb260]

Fred, Anything new?

[7sand8s]

Fred

Any updates
Please check in

[MGBV8]

What happened to this project, Fred?!

[roverman]

Maybe a lil' block filler ?

[mgb260]

Fred, Any thing new on the build? Hope everything is OK with you.

[MGBV8]

Can anyone check on Fred?  His last activity here was on May 29th.

[mgb260]

Fred, You OK?

[britcars]

I think that Fred was from the lower mainland of British Columbia.........the Vancouver area.  Always followed his posts. Going to the worst case scenario, here's an obituary for a Mervin Frederick Key, passed away on August 24th, no detail in the obit.  Hope I'm wrong.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/en-ca/obituaries/vancouver-bc/mervin-key-8846845

[mgb260]

Phil, Wrong Fred. Fred last posted here 8/28/2019. Still odd he hasn't updated us on his progress on this project.