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Alpine 1968 Renault R8

  • Thread starter Thread starter Adey
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Cant imagine it will be valve stem seal related as normally run fine without, do they even have them from new? Tapping might be a snapped ring, or valve guide/valve issues. Strip down and give it a once over. Be easy fix if rest not bad
 
probably dont have them tbh. In my head i meant valve guide 😁 🤦‍♂️

thinking if its worn to fuck or if the valve was slightly bent it could be letting in the oil which looks to have been contaminating the plug in number 1🤷‍♂️

if i cba ill strip it down a little. I think i have the correct gasket set on the wall so may have some of the bots needed to repair it.

That said, do I just focus on a bigger engine swap and save my time....
 
SO....... who wants to hear a story about going gung ho into an issue without actually checking the very basics of what an engine needs in it to run quietly........

and as always, Steve may have spotted the issue. Even though I sprayed cleaner in the rocker area I'm now not sure how dry it was to start with.
 
That's a shame, but always a gamble when they've been stood, old shitty mineral oil sludging up oil ways, things on the way out.
I'd do a comp test, see what's what, it ain't going anywhere now, whip head off and investigate.
All depends how ready you are to swop it out, required parts etc, compared to just getting it just back up and running.
If it's bust a ring, and ruined a bore, whilst it's doable in situ, you'll end up having a fight getting liner out , shit all over liner seat, faffing about getting liner shimmed etc
Putting a Cleon in it makes sense, but it'll take a fair bit of searching , ignition, bit of exhaust cut and shutting , etc etc
I've got an R4 complete engine you could harvest pistons, liners, head etc .....always very reasonable prices ....

Edit....what no oil???
 
Edit....what no oil???

As much as I don't want to admit it, there was only about a cm on the stick... threw a ltr in it started up and back to normal agricultural running.

It was always a bit of a breather but i wasnt too bothered by it with the future plan of swapping it

the smoke from the exhaust I think was from me cleaning the plugs (I sit them in a pot of brake cleaner) and the amount I may have sprayed in the bores when getting cleaning the oil off the head....

this pic is after I started putting oil back in.....

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I'm going to give it an oil filter change and see how she behaves. Considering the engine was unknown (possibly not ran since 1989), I've not even removed the carb or checked any basics with timing and such, just flushed it and sent it with some fresh oil, coolant and plugs She is doing good.

There may be a few miles left in the old girl yet. I still need to set the idle and bits up really as the carb is a little sticky, but it works. Also I adjusted the throttle cable as it had loads of slack (like nearly half of the pedals throw), I have gained a few ponies there for sure.....

 
Maybe, full send and see what happens 😁💪🏻it does have a modern starter on that was seems faster and stronger than any of the old ones ive had

Oil I've just removed doesn't look shiny. It needs to come out at somepoint, just didn't want to do it yet
 
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Old pushrod lumps struggle on......but not sure how long that's gonna wheeze on for, you're a braver man than me setting off any distance. Usually get a good ' parp parp' when you rev a decent rear lump, at least indicates a bit of comp, you're not very farty
 
Ffs 😆

Prob hasnt hurt it much. Keep topping up the oil and sending it. 20/50 mineral or whatever, these old pushrod lumps love it compared to modern oils
 
Here is a hilarious one...... took the car for a run, no issues, ran as well as it ever did. Did a compression check and all came in at around 8.5bar.....

With the spare gasket sat on the shelf I though I may as well pull the head for shits and giggles. I absolutely love this series of engine for its simplicity, and in an 8 there's loads of space to work.

What I found was a little shocking, but explain where the blow by was coming from.

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Piston 1 to 3 all with damage, the top of the piston has gone to the top ring on cylinder 1, there are 2 holes down the side of piston 2 and 3 also has damage. Not sure what has gone through there but there was plenty of carbon build up before I cleaned it off. I'm wondering if a bit more of it came loose a few days ago causing more noise than normal. Either way its ruined inside and needs some hefty remedial work or a new lump throwing in. We will see what parts become available over the next week or 2 and go forward with a plan of action.

thanks for reading
 
Looks like it's eaten something that didn't agree with it, wouldn't fancy getting pistons and liners out in situ, it's a fight on the bench when they're that crusted in, up a bit , down a bit, twist a bit , repeat....repeat ...repeat,
 
I have a 810 engine you can have. 1289cc 5ts short engine.

I think the internals should go into your block, but I'm sure someone will confirm this.

It's on eBay if you want to see photos.
 
The block is different R8 Sierra to R5 Cleon , also the mounting lugs are missing from the end of the block as it is Mk1 5. Pity it would have been a good start.
 
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