Leadership Team RogNeedham Posted January 20, 2008 Leadership Team Share Posted January 20, 2008 I finally got everything sorted today and turned the key - it started after a couple of pumps of the throttle. 😬 😬 I've adjusted the inlet valves to .20mm and exhaust to .22mm (cold). Engine runs smoothly at idle. Oil pressure steady at 60lb ft at c.1000rpm tickover. I havent driven it on road yet - largely because I'm concerned about the 'clacking' noise which seems to come from the nearside of the engine. Engine is the 1700 SPR unit I bought earlier in the year JUST SPOKEN TO CHRIS WHEELER AT 7 WORKSHOP. WITHOUT PROMPTING HIM WHEN MENTIONING I HAD AN SPR ENGINE, HE IMMEDIATELY SAID THAT ENGINE MAKES A RACKET AT IDLE. APPARENTLY THEY WERE FITTED AN LIGHTWEIGHT USA SOURCED PISTON. HE SERVICES A COUPLE OF OTHER SPR ENGINES AND THEY'RE THE SAME. JUST SUGGESTED A COMPRESSION TEST AND THEN DRIVE IT WITH EARPLUGS UNTIL WARMED UP..............SO I'M FEELING A BIT BETTER NOW - ROG any advice 🤔 Rog Edited by - RogNeedham on 22 Jan 2008 11:42:07 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alextangent Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 Which side? and have you checked the engine mounts? Alex McDonald A loud 1700 SS in bits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team RogNeedham Posted January 20, 2008 Author Leadership Team Share Posted January 20, 2008 nearside - haven't checked mounts but will take a look Rog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alextangent Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 Engine noises are notoriously difficult to pin point, but a clacking noise suggests a non-moving part that is moving if the engine is running smoothly. Anything inside the block that was making that much noise would damage the engine pretty rapidly. Things I'd check 1. engine mounts since you've had the engine out 2. exhaust touching the skin on the way out 3. tool under the rocker cover (don't laugh, I left a set of feelers there once) 4. loose external bolt (gearbox bellhousing for instance) 5. clutch arm rattling List isn't exhaustive, but most of these I've had make a noise. Alex McDonald A loud 1700 SS in bits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Locust Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 Exhaust manifold gasket sealing problems Mr N? Ian Green and Silver Roadsport 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Ryan Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 Dipstick too long and touching something as the engine spins? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Nick Chan Posted January 20, 2008 Area Representative Share Posted January 20, 2008 Possibly a dent in the sump from when its been removed and stored prior to installation and the crank is catching slightly? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millsn Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 I'd second the manifold sealing problems. Could be inlet too, can also be the weld itself failing on the exhaust manifold flange where it attaches to the head Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team RogNeedham Posted January 20, 2008 Author Leadership Team Share Posted January 20, 2008 mmm - food for thought. Have had a look at the gaskets and they're new copper ones. my reputation goes before me eh Ian 😬 no tools under the rocker cover bottom of sump is a bit dented but not by much at all - will take a closer look if anyone's over this way next weekend - would appreciate a second opinion Rog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Locust Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 Run it (very) briefly without fanbelt to eliminate alternator and waterpump bearings. Once had a Sierra with alternator bearing going down which sounded just like a slack tappet. Ian Green and Silver Roadsport 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Perry Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 Rog, YHM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Field Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Check the alternator bolts as well - if they are loose it can be difficult to pinpoint. Second the manifold gasket, but this should be fairly easy to spot as there will be a mark (soot) where the gasket is leaking. Whereabouts are you Rog? Terry 1700XF - Team Lotus with flares. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team RogNeedham Posted January 21, 2008 Author Leadership Team Share Posted January 21, 2008 thx all for the comments: Terry I'm in Derby (a long way from W.Sussex) have been in the garage again this evening and have checked alternator bolts - ok exhaust not fouling body gearbox bolts - ok gaskets not blowing engine mounts ok in fact listening to it more - I think 'tractor'.....but it runs smoothly and starts easily. It's almost a diesel like clatter got a local mechanic mate calling round tomorrow to have a listen thanks Ian for the time earlier Rog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Nick Chan Posted January 23, 2008 Area Representative Share Posted January 23, 2008 Rog Have you had it running/warming up for a bit longer now and does the noise subside? Nick The BEC has gone - now onto an R400!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team RogNeedham Posted January 23, 2008 Author Leadership Team Share Posted January 23, 2008 ☹️not yet - have picked up this novovirus bug........wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy Location changed to: not far from the bathroom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger King Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Chris is correct. The early SPR engines used an American piston which has different tapering, barrelling and ovality to the more common Accralites or Omegas. The material also has a different expansion rate. The result is that the engines are 'clonky' at idle, particularly when cold, but this is normal. On the plus side, you could belt one of the pistons with a sledgehammer and it would just bounce off (slight exaggeration, but you get the point.) Of course I haven't heard it running so I can't be certain that this is true in this case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil.cavanagh Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 " think 'tractor'.....but it runs smoothly and starts easily. It's almost a diesel like clatter" intersting... I've always said (only half jokingly) that ChrisBs x-flow (a King Special...) sounds like a tractor at low revs.... So maybe it is a TADTS situation! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team RogNeedham Posted January 23, 2008 Author Leadership Team Share Posted January 23, 2008 thanks Roger for your clarification. having done a 'search' on SPR I've noted where the engine number is to be found - so once this damn bug will allow me to venture more than 10 yards from the bathroom, I will investigate further. One other observation was that when I increased the revs (2500RPM +) the clatter disappears. thanks again Rog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metal mickey Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Mmmmm Piston slap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Field Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 "One other observation was that when I increased the revs (2500RPM +) the clatter disappears." This sounds like it might be the gearbox that you can hear. The type 9, for reasons which the more technically minded than me can explain, often clatter at low revs. I used to think this was a major problem but it is a case of TADTS, and a small increase in idle revs (1000 / 1100) will probably eliminate the problem. If this is what it is, it is nothing to worry about. Regards Terry 1700XF - Team Lotus with flares. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team RogNeedham Posted January 27, 2008 Author Leadership Team Share Posted January 27, 2008 thx all for the suggestions. Compression tested it today -all reading c.7.5barwith engine barely warm. Took it for a run round and bar a bit of spitting from the carbs and split top hose (now fixed) all seemed ok Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now