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Alpine 1968 Renault R8

  • Thread starter Thread starter Adey
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As some of you may know or have read, I've always wanted to fit a slightly bigger engine. With help from some of more knowledgeable of these old 8s I've been picking up odds and sods along the way. I do always keep an eye out for the right engine on Facebook and eBay just in case something crops up. I've had leads on a few engines recently, some further away than others, some more pricey than others but all needing some work. Until the weekend just gone when I spotted a c2j for sale on eBay. The description was vague so I fired off a message. It was a running (recently) c2j (1397cc) from an auto complete with everything still attached including a weber twin choke. 35min from my house and the cheapest id been offered one. It was half the price of the next closest one.

To top it off, the guy actually had it after buying the complete running car to chop up for his R5 GTT resto :D

Anyway, into action with the daily utility Clio RS, the youngest Ewok jumped in for the short road trip too.

I've managed to strip off all the excess this afternoon and have a quick look over it. Externally its a little dirty, whipped the rocker cover off and pulled the plugs and its super clean on the inside. Oil is dirty but looking good. Water pump is off and came off nicely, ill clean up the threads ready for the R8 pump. Looking at it all I just need to source a flywheel and clutch, swap a few bits over from the current engine and then maybe make an exhaust. When I go ahead and remove the old engine ill need to do a few gearbox mods too @Steve Swan is going to be helping me there (pleeeeeease :D)

Anyway here's some pics

20240910_145126.webp20240910_145020.webp20240910_144806.webp20240909_184846.webp20240909_183813.webp20240909_161657.webp20240909_161649.webp
 
Internally that looks very nice. Does the carb sit Flat with the engine upright? If it does not, you will have to make it do so. You may need to find a Dizzy as you may not have the Renix chapter ring, on the flywheel that fits the bellhousing. No big deal. Mr Cunningham in sunny worthing would be worth asking for a short leg Dizzy from a 5,12,15,18,Fuego. Salv will be able to help with internals if its a bitsa.
 
The engine I have is a C2J 7/81, so 9.25:1 comp and 68bhp, the TS version had a different cam which gave 4bhp more than mine. Not sure if I should bother going down the route of hoting it up or just making it work as is....


C2J.webp
 
Is it the same dimensions as the mk1 5 needs to run a mk2 5 crank? 16 OD, 12 ID x 25mm? I think i used an oilite bearing off Ebay last time.
That sounds about right I think I have one in a bag with a part no for reference. 12/56/56/12 is a pretty conservative cam. I would get it in and working first. It will be a considerable upgrade. Still flat, but much better than what you have.
 
That sounds about right I think I have one in a bag with a part no for reference. 12/56/56/12 is a pretty conservative cam. I would get it in and working first. It will be a considerable upgrade. Still flat, but much better than what you have.

I think this is the way to go for sure (y)
 
Pics for info and part no.IMG_20240910_185310059_MFNR.webp

IMG_20240910_185257490_MFNR.webp

And a pic of a 13/1400 flywheel. This one's been chopped up for an AP clutch

IMG_20240910_185509277_MFNR.webp

Finally I have Modified a Renault 5G input shaft to R10 1300 length to suit your bellhousing. Give me your address and I'll send it.

IMG_20240910_191254964_MFNR.webp
Any further on with a clutch lever and release bearing??
 
Cheers Steve, ill fire over my addy. I think I got the lever when I got the bellhousing, I will check the hidden "future" parts pile under my bench (y)
 
Cheers Steve, ill fire over my addy. I think I got the lever when I got the bellhousing, I will check the hidden "future" parts pile under my bench (y)
Well done with the 1397cc engine find, things are on the up, remember your box is the weakest 330 so no drag starts until you eventually get a big box fitted.
That golden head colour inside the rocker box, is what I was on about a few months ago, I mainly see this in well maintained Volvo 1397cc units, but rarely in well used R5G units, which normally are black and also have the [original ?] rear plug with a massive spark gap as they are so difficult to change on the R5G.
Cheers
Dave
 
Talking of the big box, I was on a call last night where I was offered the 2 boxes to make a 5 speed big box...... not sure I can fund that and getting it built though currently, though the bits seem to be around still (y)
 
I bought oilite bush last time, they're only pence, although I just got a polite fuck off from my usual over the counter place when I wanted some lipseals and O rings for a bike cam chain tensioner, he couldn't be arsed it seems for few quid, told me to order them from eBay.
That's them on shit list......
 

Arnaud ventoux list it as 12 16 x 20 so went with the ebay option of that size (y)

Seems all the small oddball stuff has moved to ebay. Used to be a belts and bearings shop in Gloucester that could get you anything seal/bearing/belt related. Was always good for refurbing parts rather than buying complete new parts. Closed a while back....
 
When the bush arrives, soak it in engine oil for a couple of weeks, it will last much longer. It's a porous material and will absorb an amazing amount of oil given the chance. The shaft and oil seal should be with you today or tomorrow.
 
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