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Question for the Engine Builders

Posted: 12 Sep 2020, 16:22
by Stesaw
As I am doing my first rebuild of an engine this size I've been looking through options for my DJ as it's in bits right now I am thinking about what I'd like to do with it with such as things like; new heads, new pistons and barrels, maybe EFI etc etc, of course it's all dependant on how much it would all cost, but I'd like to do it properly if I am doing it.
On my interweb travels I've seen Go Westy in the US do these kits amongst other things. It got me thinking and a few days of google searches hasn't found anywhere in the UK / EU that does something equivalent. 

Am I just looking in the wrong places? 

Re: Question for the Engine Builders

Posted: 12 Sep 2020, 17:08
by silverbullet
I'll raise you to 2475cc with British made 98mm pistons, barrels and and 82mm crank. I have cams but you'll need type 1 rods with 22mm pins. Should be back in stock soon.

PS Aidan should be taking delivery of his one soon

Re: Question for the Engine Builders

Posted: 12 Sep 2020, 19:28
by Stesaw
Thanks for the reply SB, nice I assume I can get the rods and such from Brickie?, I have quite a few questions (probably mostly dumb ones) in regards to rebuilding.
Fitting new bearings for the crank and cam but what size ones we talking with those bit you supply?
Oil pump size? not sure on the one it currently has. I will check the part no. Checked, I assume the number on the back of the pump is the part number which indicates its a 26mm
I replied to your PM about the Cam the other day as well SB, not sure if you saw it.
 :ok
 

Re: Question for the Engine Builders

Posted: 12 Sep 2020, 20:41
by ajsimmo
silverbullet wrote:I'll raise you to 2475cc with British made 98mm pistons, barrels and and 82mm crank. I have cams but you'll need type 1 rods with 22mm pins. Should be back in stock soon.

PS Aidan should be taking delivery of his one soon
Ha! Knew you couldn't put it down for long ImageImage

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Re: Question for the Engine Builders

Posted: 12 Sep 2020, 20:56
by ajsimmo
Quick answer - GoWesty kits are very poor value for money over here in UK. They exist because the DJ wasn't sold in that America, so they're all trying to improve on the MV whilst keeping to a fairly low compression ratio.
Here standard DJ is better than their modest upgrades, and a helluva lot cheaper! At the other end of the spectrum is Ian's superb offering. I can't fault the time, effort and diligence that he's put in to developing that engine. Never driven one, but I expect it's awesome.
Somewhere in between, there's me. I am using various combinations of pistons, cranks and cams to build the best engine possible within the customer's budget. The last two have been a 2.2 high compression big bore (US made pistons), with NOS 76mm crank &CB 2280 cam (dialled in on Vanistan adapter), followed by a budget DG rebuild for a customer who aborted his own rebuild project when he "exceeded his skillset", finished off with nearly new AA big bore P&B set (I reclaimed them from a customer's previously poorly rebuilt engine), and nearly new AMC heads. The difference between the two prices was £3k!
My point is, it's all about budget as well as expectations. Without knowing both it's very hard to advise for the best.

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Re: Question for the Engine Builders

Posted: 12 Sep 2020, 21:17
by Stesaw
ajsimmo wrote: 12 Sep 2020, 20:56 Quick answer - GoWesty kits are very poor value for money over here in UK. They exist because the DJ wasn't sold in that America, so they're all trying to improve on the MV whilst keeping to a fairly low compression ratio.
Here standard DJ is better than their modest upgrades, and a helluva lot cheaper! At the other end of the spectrum is Ian's superb offering. I can't fault the time, effort and diligence that he's put in to developing that engine. Never driven one, but I expect it's awesome.
Somewhere in between, there's me. I am using various combinations of pistons, cranks and cams to build the best engine possible within the customer's budget. The last two have been a 2.2 high compression big bore (US made pistons), with NOS 76mm crank &CB 2280 cam (dialled in on Vanistan adapter), followed by a budget DG rebuild for a customer who aborted his own rebuild project when he "exceeded his skillset", finished off with nearly new AA big bore P&B set (I reclaimed them from a customer's previously poorly rebuilt engine), and nearly new AMC heads. The difference between the two prices was £3k!
My point is, it's all about budget as well as expectations. Without knowing both it's very hard to advise for the best.

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Thanks for the reply as well ajsimmo.

Oh I can understand that customers reasoning, I find it all very interesting while also being quite daunting. Especially when splitting the case and opening up a new can of worms with it. I've fixed up old briggs engines and messed with some 2 and 4 stroke engines but nothing like this, but again it all appeals to me. I've done all the work need on my van over the last year while probably saving myself a pretty penny and I've really enjoyed it so that's a bonus, well mostly enjoyed it the fuel tank balance pipe taunted me a great deal when I replaced my fuel tank. It's either that or I am just sick in the head :lol: (no offence!).


Budget wise, I've been keeping a spreadsheet of replacing damaged parts to just get the engine back together as cheap as possible and also another one for giggles of "lets replace everything" so far the latter one has got to about 2.5k but I am sure I am missing bits off both lists.
Realistically if I am going to do it, dont pi$$ about and do it right. But the other part of me winces to think I'm probably going to be spending the same sorta cash as I did buying the van in the first place!

I guess I will have a 1.9DG to sell at the end of it so I can recoup a bit of money. 


As for expectations, well I guess you get what you pay for, which I know makes sense but a lot of people don't want to justify or cannot afford a top end build which I totally understand when you can buy a van for that sort of price. What I'd like out of it and the end of the day is a reliable and decent performing engine. I've noticed on my trips that the DG really struggles with some hills there and that's not even with a fully loaded van, especially up to Yorkshire through the Peak District, which are still fairly mild.

 

Re: Question for the Engine Builders

Posted: 13 Sep 2020, 14:47
by robertneill602
Not sure of the Engine Company down in Erith Kent?

Re: Question for the Engine Builders

Posted: 13 Sep 2020, 17:18
by Stesaw
You mean Elite? If so I'ma gonna pass on that. Or were elite in Essex? 

Oh you mean TES I'm a derp, no idea. Will see what SB has to offer ;)
robertneill602 wrote: 13 Sep 2020, 14:47 Not sure of the Engine Company down in Erith Kent?