Is it a tall block?
#1
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Thread Starter
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My xrt was smoking heavy when up to running temp and the idle had became erratic. I done a comp check and each cyl was around 130psi but cly 2 was higher (around 150).
Ive stripped it, plan is to fit new rings and get the turbo re-con'd as there is a lot of up/down play and a little in/out. I also checked the valve guides for play and there is a little play there so may get them done for good measure.
Anyway ive always been keen to have a look inside my engine as ive got the receipts from specialised engines who built it. Its meant to be a 1.9 tall block with low comp pistons, arp rod bolts stage 3 big valve head etc.
The pistons have a little JM stamp on them?
Heres some pics of the pistons/block let me know your opinions....
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/grant_xr/026.jpg)
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/grant_xr/027.jpg)
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/grant_xr/029.jpg)
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/grant_xr/025.jpg)
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/grant_xr/024.jpg)
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/grant_xr/022.jpg)
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/grant_xr/020.jpg)
Grant
Ive stripped it, plan is to fit new rings and get the turbo re-con'd as there is a lot of up/down play and a little in/out. I also checked the valve guides for play and there is a little play there so may get them done for good measure.
Anyway ive always been keen to have a look inside my engine as ive got the receipts from specialised engines who built it. Its meant to be a 1.9 tall block with low comp pistons, arp rod bolts stage 3 big valve head etc.
The pistons have a little JM stamp on them?
Heres some pics of the pistons/block let me know your opinions....
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/grant_xr/026.jpg)
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/grant_xr/027.jpg)
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/grant_xr/029.jpg)
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/grant_xr/025.jpg)
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/grant_xr/024.jpg)
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/grant_xr/022.jpg)
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/grant_xr/020.jpg)
Grant
#2
Wye Valley Hardcore
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Well the block has 18 cast into it, so it's an 1800 Sierra block, possibly over bored to 1900cc. They are ford rods so guessing the standard 1800 rods, not sure on pistons but aren't 1800 Sierra pistons. Also those aren't ARP bolts. At least, not any ARP bolts I've seen.
#7
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Thread Starter
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cheers for the info guys, as for the one that looks bent, i'll have a closer look tonight. Someone on another forum seemed to think the pistons looked to be forged. Any way of knowing for sure?
Grant
Grant
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#10
Wye Valley Hardcore
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They look pressure cast to me? Anyway, the pistons aren't really the issue, I'd be worried about the 1800 rods and standard bolts if you want to up the power. Pistons should be fine
#11
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Thread Starter
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Yeah im gonna have to give that some thought, before it was stripped it had been running 16psi after a custom map by MSD.
Whats the options rod wise? Are the 1.8 rods a different length than 1.6 or is it made up by the throw of the crank?
Grant
#12
I've found that life I needed.. It's HERE!!
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those pistons are from america from the 1900 cvh i have the same in my car they have been machined down for turbo applicatio
![](http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac299/e16fmc/E877FLC/RIMG0005.jpg)
![](http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac299/e16fmc/E877FLC/RIMG0005.jpg)
![](http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac299/e16fmc/E877FLC/RIMG0002.jpg)
Last edited by JoshXR2; 26-10-2010 at 10:51 PM.
#13
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The pistons are definitely cast.
The North American pistons would not stand up to much abuse.
They were never designed for turbo applications - unlike the Mahle 1.6 turbo pistons
which are cast as well, but very well engineered.
The North American pistons would not stand up to much abuse.
They were never designed for turbo applications - unlike the Mahle 1.6 turbo pistons
which are cast as well, but very well engineered.
#14
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Thread Starter
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Rod isn't bent, had a look last night. Turns out my bores are scored to fuck tho so prob gonna go zvh now. Will be an overall stonger bottom end than this.
Grant
Grant
#27
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Grant
#29
PassionFord Post Whore!!
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gutted i paid 1500 for my engine and has only done running in miles and is a proper built cvh..... so always best to shop about....
i was going to just pay a company to do a standard rebuild but for half the price i brought a proper cvh....
to be honest mate if you want a good engine i wouldnt bother with a zvh i would either do a big spec cvh or go full zetec turbo as the zetec is the same price as a zvh and is a much better conversion
i was going to just pay a company to do a standard rebuild but for half the price i brought a proper cvh....
to be honest mate if you want a good engine i wouldnt bother with a zvh i would either do a big spec cvh or go full zetec turbo as the zetec is the same price as a zvh and is a much better conversion
#32
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carboard pistons would probly be better than specialised engines shit they fit ! but they get away with it and people still use them ! a mate of mine had a escort gti think he paid 2800 for a stage 3 engine they said it would make at least................. 280bhp
![Surprised](https://passionford.com/forum/images/smilies/bigcry.gif)
#33
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
Thread Starter
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gutted i paid 1500 for my engine and has only done running in miles and is a proper built cvh..... so always best to shop about....
i was going to just pay a company to do a standard rebuild but for half the price i brought a proper cvh....
to be honest mate if you want a good engine i wouldnt bother with a zvh i would either do a big spec cvh or go full zetec turbo as the zetec is the same price as a zvh and is a much better conversion
i was going to just pay a company to do a standard rebuild but for half the price i brought a proper cvh....
to be honest mate if you want a good engine i wouldnt bother with a zvh i would either do a big spec cvh or go full zetec turbo as the zetec is the same price as a zvh and is a much better conversion
Grant
#35
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I have one of these "stage 3" specialised bottom ends in my s2. My bro paid around £3000 for it and a few other bits. It was also supposed to have arp rod bolts, but doesnt! i am led to believe that these are a 1800 block, rods and crank with machined pistons, the problem is if you read the small print it sayd "based" on an american tall block!! Mine has been rebuilt twice now, first time after about 2k due to piston ring snaping and doubling over another and the second time it melted a piston. I am now saving for a different engine as i know this isnt going last 5 minutes again. Like you say we all live and learn.
#37
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I can't believe the pricing!
I will attempt to clear up some misconceptions.
The UK 1800 block is not the same as the USA/Canada 1900 block.
The UK 1800 has 80mm bore and 88mm stroke.
The USA/Canada 1900 has 82mm bore and 88mm stroke.
The bore thickness on the standard USA/Canada 1900 is 4.5mm to 6.2mm
Cylinder wall thickness measured with an ultrasonic thickness tester.
Boring a UK 1800 +2.0mm to use standard USA 1900 pistons is a disaster waiting to happen. These blocks are only good for a +1.0 mm overbore - at most.
Hope this helps.
Cheers
I will attempt to clear up some misconceptions.
The UK 1800 block is not the same as the USA/Canada 1900 block.
The UK 1800 has 80mm bore and 88mm stroke.
The USA/Canada 1900 has 82mm bore and 88mm stroke.
The bore thickness on the standard USA/Canada 1900 is 4.5mm to 6.2mm
Cylinder wall thickness measured with an ultrasonic thickness tester.
Boring a UK 1800 +2.0mm to use standard USA 1900 pistons is a disaster waiting to happen. These blocks are only good for a +1.0 mm overbore - at most.
Hope this helps.
Cheers
#38
Balls Deep!
iTrader: (4)
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I have one of these "stage 3" specialised bottom ends in my s2. My bro paid around £3000 for it and a few other bits. It was also supposed to have arp rod bolts, but doesnt! i am led to believe that these are a 1800 block, rods and crank with machined pistons, the problem is if you read the small print it sayd "based" on an american tall block!! Mine has been rebuilt twice now, first time after about 2k due to piston ring snaping and doubling over another and the second time it melted a piston. I am now saving for a different engine as i know this isnt going last 5 minutes again. Like you say we all live and learn.
![Surprised](https://passionford.com/forum/images/smilies/bigcry.gif)
Cant beleive they do it and dont expect people to find out?!