My old bottom end was BRAND NEW, totally standard size and had only done 400 miles when it eat a con rod shell I want to fix it but don't know what size shells to buy? the crank is not damaged/worn at all, neither is the con rod. Do I just buy standard size shells or do I need the next size up?

 

The only time you'd buy different sized shells, is when the crank has been machined, in which case the machiner should tell you what you'll need.

 

Second question, where the hell can I buy a set of shells from!!!!!
I've rang all the local motor factors and whoever they used to get them off no longer sells them because there all telling me there no longer made!!!

 

Ford??

Burtons??

Woodforde Garage??

There's a few to be going on with.

 

ebay

if its eaten a shell are you sure that its not damaged the crank/conrod

if you are unsure of the state of the crank take it to a rebuilder and ask the to supply/ grind as necessary the crank

 

Ford don't have, nor can get any as I've tried
Burton website says there out of stock
Woodford garage website only lists a full set of mains + big ends for Ł99.95 and don't really want to pay that much

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ford-CVH-Big-E...1%7C240%3A1318

 

I would try to figure out why it has spun a shell first otherwise you will be wasting your time replacing them.
If this has happened after just 400 miles you have a problem.

 

that to

 

Right, I'll tell the tale.

My RST was owned by my best mate 10 years ago, he blew the bottom end up so started to rebuild the engine. He pulled the head off and had it rebuilt. He also had the bottom end rebuilt and started to put it back in the car. He got the bottom end in and then was taken ill. He never got round to finnishing the car because he died. The car was bought from him and restored to it's former glory, hence why it stands me at an absolute fortune! but I couldn't just let the car die!!! Anyway, that's how I know the bottom end had only done 400 miles. It probably eat a shell just because it had been sat for so long, maybe ceased up or something I don't know. I replaced this bottom end with a known good 1 and kept the origional 1 "just incase". I've since had the "origional" bottom end apart and the crank is unmarked, pistons and rods are still like new so all I want is a set of shells, I'll put them in with plenty of oil on them so they move about easily and hopefully dont cease/ fall apart again.

 

are you sure the sheels are the right size for the crank then? have you mesured the crank at all? + conrods

 

No, I haven't measured the crank, I've just assumed it was all right as it was put together by a proper company tho. TBH, I recon it failed because it had been sat for so long without moving.

 

due to the big time frame concerned here, maybe on its initial rebuild, the bottom end in question had a crank grind, and then subsequently had the incorrect sized bearings fitted? just an idea