S- Series unleaded head - any takers?

[SimonR]

I've decided to bite the bullet and use all Simon's advice (from the other forum) to replace the engine in my S-Series Maestro this summer because of its high mileage and also because I want to use the later oil breather configuration. £200 for a new engine sounds too good to miss!

I replaced the head with a remachined unleaded one (hardened valves and seats) about 45k ago and wonder if anyone would be interested in buying just the head to convert their Maestro to unleaded?

The only potential problem with it is that the oil seals on the camshaft *may* by leaking - I am yet to find out whether or not the oil is coming solely from the covers or elsewhere. One good thing is that I replaced the cam covers last week and they seem to hold in a lot more oil in the engine than the original ones :)

Is anyone interested or shall I just scrap it?

[topgear]

not sure im the market for an unleaded head at the moment, but am very interested about this new engine. Where are you getting it from? Any more lurking around anywhere?

[SimonR]

I asked in the other forum (SiR The MVP Fan: Engine replacement, 4th December 2002) about changing the engine and Simon Heap kindly explained everything that he learned when he changed his engine over.

This is an excerpt of what he said:

I obtained my new S series (Unipart/Rover Gold Seal) engine from Brown and Gammons of Baldock, Herts, part number LBB 10225E for ?199 incl VAT. Latest spec, unleaded. I had to add new breather system which cost me the best part of ?100. Second hand fuel and Programmed Ignition ECU's, clutch, rad , hoses, expansion tank, sundry gaskets, bolts and other obscure goodies, fuel pump, battery, oh the list goes on. Give them a call on 01462 490049 and ask for Malcolm. It is possible to whack PAS on from a 1.6 manual Maestro (not auto) or 1.6 Montego from 86-88

I just called them and Malcolm is away until Tuesday but I'll get in touch again when I'm back from Scotland and see about sorting it out.

I also hope to add PAS and will definately use the new-style breather system because the old arrangement is part of the reason I've knackered my engine in the first place.

I'm back on the case as of the 24th June so if you like I'll let you know how I get on.

[Maria]

Did you get put on hold listening to Alison Moyet for ages? I remember when I was trying to get bits from Brown & Gammons for the camper rebuild spending hours on hold trying to speak to him, and he never returned my calls either. What I did eventually get from B&G (the recon engine) was at a great price, but the frustration I went through trying to get quotes for everything else lost them a lot of business from me.

[SimonR]

Jeez, bad luck with Alison Moyet! They actually have REM on today. I have admit that they didn't seem really to know what was going on until I asked to speak to Malcolm. Hopefully in a fortnight he'll be able to sort it out for me.

Still they're not as bad as my local friendly mechanic who was going to fix the bodywork in April - he decided to get a pretty messy divorce instead and still hasn't managed to do the job yet. F153 looks v. sad right now :mad:

Mind you, new engine, gearbox, arches, sills, PAS, alloys, tyres... Sometimes I wonder if it is all worth it, then I remember that it's all costing far less than a grand :) I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that it'll be done for Peterborough in August.... I also need to find a new gearbox from somewhere, maybe my local vw dealer can help?

[Maria]

When I had my camper done last time after some scumbags keyed the poor bugger, it was in the local bodyshop who did it first time round, but the bloke who runs the place had a rather acrimonious bust-up with his other employee and so once Dave was on his own, the job took ages! I've got 2 cars that I want to get done up (the greenie and the turbo), and I want both done to as high a standard as the camper, but I don't want to have to wait till the next millennium :(

I'm on the lookout for a good bodyshop now, but I know it's always hit and miss :(

[Simon]

I actually got my breather system from MG Rover dealers. It is worth persevering with Brown and Gammons though. It's a good job they did S series engines, MG Rover dealers do them (same part number) but they are over £1200 each! I don't suppose I can call my engine new any more either, its done 42K! Latest development on my car is the head warmer... yup, the headlining's suddenly gone just like every one else's :o

[SimonR]

Bad luck on the head lining Simon :mad: Still, it's lasted well compared to some - I had to replace mine last year and it had been pretty dire for a goot time before that. That was £115 very well spent if you ask me.... It'll be a lot quieter with the new lining in as well.

I have just secured the last engine at Brown and Gammons although it's slightly different to yours - the part number is LBB10408E at a cost of £225+VAT which I negotiated. I'm off to get it this Saturday morning all things being equal. He seems to think that I can get it into the back of the Maestro and drive back home with it - what do you think?

Above all I hope it's an S-Series and not an O or anything else, Malcolm is sure but I have my own nagging doubts...

[SimonR]

Ahhhhh :censored: :censored: :censored: :censored:

Turns out that although Malcolm tried his hardest to convinse me that the engine would fit into my Maestro, he was actually trying to sell me a Montego 2L engine.

Sadly I'm still now looking for a new S-Series but if you want a new 2000cc Monty engine for about £264+vat then you know where to go.

So far nothing, bar nothing, has gone right today. :(

[tony]

if u still have it in 3-4 weeks i think i will have it off u

[SimonR]

I didn't buy it - so give Malcolm a ring! He'll try to convinse you that it's a Maestro engine and is a 1.6 but don't believe him because he doesn't know what he's talking about in this instance.

[matthewsemple]

Originally posted by F153JUE
I didn't buy it - so give Malcolm a ring! He'll try to convince you that it's a Maestro engine and is a 1.6 but don't believe him because he doesn't know what he's talking about in this instance.
That's strange - the S-series engine looks completely different to the O-Series. You'd think Malcolm would be able to tell the difference.

Of course if it is 2.0 litre O-Series it will fit any Maestro with the correct engine mountings. £264+VAT seems good value for a new engine - presumably its got a carb not EFi?

[SimonR]

Finally I have some good news on the engine front!

I contacted Ivor Searle in Soham, Cambs and they had a one-off rebuilt S-Series on their shelves. After a quick bit of bargaining I got it for £350+VAT which is more than acceptable I think!

I don't mind that it's rebuilt and not new - they do all the work in-house and to a very high standard indeed. It's now safely stowed in my Parents' garage waiting for me to get all the other bits ready for fitment.:p

Thankfully it's a much later engine than the one I've got with the correct breather system....

I just have to pluck up the courage now to fit it!