dapinky wrote:Rabbits,
I'm not sure what you will get in a 'kit' for £300 - but it isn't likely to be a full enough set to rebuild a damaged engine..... but it is impossible to say until it is stripped down.
Having done a few elan engine re-builds, I feel confident to make such a bold statement, and would need to know exactly what is included before making a statement of "it can be done for £xxx"
For example, depending on damage to the head (if any), it *may* just need a couple of valves, or it may need a full set of 16 - likewise the seats and guides (plus oil seals). That will use up your £300 quite easily. If the head itself needs skimming, it has a tollerance that you can't exceed, so if it has already been done once before, it will now be nowt more than scrap.... again, it needs to come off to measure it.
Any piston damage will cost lots - a single standard size piston may be purchasable at a reasonable cost, but a set of 4 oversize ones will cost over £600 as there are no OE ones left anywhere - and being a turbo, fitting ones designed for an NA will end in tears.
Obviously, a new belt is needed, and it is best to replace waterpump, tensioner and idler at the same time (if you don't then any future owner may be out off a purchase as the labour times will far exceed the parts prices for those items).
I havent even mentioned the bottom end of the engine, as it is unlikely to be 'needed' - but if you're having to fit pistons, then it would be false economy to NOT replace the crank bearings (crank is unlikely to need attention as they are toughened and hardened from new - standard shells are all I've ever needed.).
The machine work to skim a head and re-bore for larger pistons will be whatever you can get it for - I pay about £200 for the lot here, but can't comment on prices near you.
All the gaskets , fluids, sealants etc can throw another £200+ into the mix.
Labour isn't an issue to me as it 'costs' me nowt, but if I had to pay for the removal, repair and replacement it would cost quite a bit.
As such, getting it done may well cost over £2K.
Unless you can shave off money on labour costs, and are lucky with the damage internally, a second-hand engine is probably your best bet to get it mobile enough to move the car along - however, part of the 'value' of your car is the reasonable mileage for its age, which will de-value if an 'unknown' engine is fitted.
The 'proper' answer is to rebuild the engine, tidy up the paintwork and advertise it - or sell as it is.... overall costs/profits/losses may well be pretty similar whichever option you go for - the choice is yours.
Thanks Dave, thats more than I would have estimated myself so thanks for the more informed estimate. Definitely the same conclusion
. I can get a long block engine for around €900 at my door, so if its still here in the new year I could have that in for the spring.
