think ive been stupid!
ive bought a zetec bare block but hasnt got the main caps, my mate said that the block is useless without them as there matched to that block is it true? can i get another set of caps and get a pro to check them?

 

unless you get the caps and have it line bored, it'll make a good coffee table lol

 

As Dan says, needs a line bore now basically, which is bastard expensive compared to just going and sorting yourself a block thats complete.

you may get away with it if you try a set of mains off another engine, but its pretty unlikely it will be correct.

You can check it with a dial dauge.

 

i have a spare set of ends of an exact same engine but you wouldnt be able to check with eye.

why are they exact to that engine? whats the difference between each

 

The caps and block are machined to make 5 inline holes which are perfectly inline with each other...

The holes are therefore not in the same place engine to engine.

Alex

 

the main caps are bolted to the new block, then they are then line bored.

over time the bore tool wears so you get differences in tolerances hence different sizes in the bore

and no, you cant check by eye

 

and what alex said

 

well i never knew that

thought they would be the same

what exactly is line boring then

at a guess is it where the machine just machines where the crank would sit?

to get true reading on all bearing surfaces?

 

oh well looks like a waste if Ł50

 

Line bore is essentially drilling a hole very accurately.

Its done on cam caps, mains caps, conrod caps.


The two parts are placed together, then the hole bored in them.

No two end up EXACTLY the same, so you cant interchange on any of them.

 

has anyone ever got away with using different ones?

 

Yes, after paying a couple of hundred quid to have them capped and rebored.

 

i mean without getting them done

 

You could try if its just on an old shitter, but the bearings wont see the right amount of crush so its almost certainly a waste of time.

 

it is a bit of a shitter yes

 

worth a try then I guess, but personally I would at least dial gauge them first just to see if its even vaguely like to work

 

Don't even bother !

It will lock up solid as soon as you tighten the main caps down... and if it doesnt the clearences will be so far out you might not get oil pressure to the big ends LOL!

Alex

 

just stick it on ebay mate

you but complete engines for a oner

 

I agree, but he seems determined to find out the hard way and wreck a set of bearings in the process, lol

 

this has just happened to someone on the GTR board with the cam caps, same problem, ie your fucked

 

Its less money than you spend on a good night out - don't stress

 

suppose least its got all the zvh parts i need a set of calibra turbo pistons must be worth a bit

 

There have been a few sets of secondhand calibra turbo pistons on migweb.co.uk advertised recently

 

have you tried asking the person you bought the engine off if they still have the caps?

 

Or why they have sold you sometthing more or less totally useless?

 

sorry i ment th eengine come with calibra pistons so at least i can recoupe some costs

 

well they are worth 50 quid easy, ideal!

 

bit of luck the bloke i got the engine from just text me saying there is 5 main caps hes just found?