20xe Bottom End Trouble - 1.8???

[ST-eater]

Hi all,

Ive had my early 20xe honed today from a trusted machine shop, and upon getting it back, one of the cylinders has some really bad pitting in. No massive wear to the bores other than the pitting which you can see in the pictures. Im currently using the standard mahle pistons, and have bought all the new rings, bearings etc..

I dont really trust the block now ive seen how bad it is (can feel with my nail)... And its on the top 1/3 of the cylinder, so im worried about compression issues and oil getting past.

The engine was a great runner about 2 years ago, but was then left outside by my friend in the rain with a cracked inlet manifold.... The water has found its way into it and rusted the one cylinder.

The other 3 are fine, and i wanted to know what my options are... The bloke who honed it said it should be fine, but after buying every single part for the engine brand new, i dont want to take a punt that it 'might' be fine.

Ive heard there are some 1.8 engines that have the exact same bottom end, which i could then get bored out to fit my pistons. If this is the case, what code engine is it, and will it fit my crank, rods & bearings fine, and are all the oil & waterways in the same place?

If not, then do i have any other options other than an expensive oversize, as trying to find another 20xe or c20xe bottom end without issues or wear, is practically impossible :(

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/8748/025zw.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/18/025zw.jpg/)
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[Andy]

have you got a better pic mate.

[ST-eater]

http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/1381/026mx.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/546/026mx.jpg/)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/1898/041rn.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/838/041rn.jpg/)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/6253/042iy.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/580/042iy.jpg/)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

[mowgli]

thwe c18xe as found in some astras, had the same 86mm stroke, but a 81.6mm bore, apart from the bore, everything else is the same, ie. crank, rods, bearings etc. so you are right. the fun will be getting one..i'm not sure if an ecotec 1800 will be interchangeable.. cos there are loads of them about.

[Andy]

A trusted machine shop did that???

[Mike]

Correct me if Im wrong, as Im no honing expert.......... BUT some of those honing marks look hella deep :/

[Andy]

as per my point mike

[Mike]

as per my point mike

Fail me lol I only looked at the pics lol lol

[ST-eater]

Haha, Nuneaton rebores... Theyve also taken a chip out of a cylinder too... W*nkers!

[16v Nova Kev]

i wouldnt use that.

[Will F]

Just get +.5 pistons and get it bored.
Otherwise get another block - there are LOADS about.

I hope you asked for a refund!!

[MattBrown]

I dont see why they would even bother honing it.

Without a rebore thats only good for being weighed in.

[mowgli]

Haha, Nuneaton rebores... Theyve also taken a chip out of a cylinder too... W*nkers!

LETS JUST SAY, I'VE HEARD STORIES......

clayfield & hall in hinckley are very good.

[ST-eater]

See I always thought they were very good, however cleary not lol. Anyhow, with regards to the oversize I'm looking at stupid money £300 odd plus for new pistons & rings... I want to go via the cheaper option and change the bottom end for a better one.

**will-f** can you point me in the right direction as I can't seem to find any :)

[mowgli]

email sales@elringparts.co.uk and ask them for your local stockists..

also try clayfield & hall, they are proper old school, and really know their engines. they'll give you a decent rate.

[ST-eater]

Is this the place you mean for the engine work?

Clayfield & Hall Ltd
Stockwell Head
Hinckley
Leicestershire LE10 1RD

[mowgli]

yup.. right next to the entrance to the britannia centre multi storey car park..
old mrs hall, works the counter, and she is about 90, and sharp as a tack.. its an amazing place. when i get anything done, i go to see them.

[blue_peg_16v]

2.0 8v bottom end could be used with the xe pistons

[Alex J]

that block is for the bin

[mowgli]

it would bore out, as long as you can get decent oversize pistons.

[ST-eater]

Oh the place with the blue doors? It thats it, i know the place but have never used it! Cheers

[ST-eater]

2.0 8v bottom end could be used with the xe pistons

Are the crank bearings, crank and everything the same? Ive gone and bought all new bearings for the engine i have, and then it turned out to be scrap lol.

Ive googled the bottom end but came up with this post... 'I'm pretty sure the only difference between the 8v and 16v block is an oil flow restrictor on the back of the 16v block in the main oil gallery (helps feed the 16v head with extra oil) that you'll need to fit to the 8v' :S

[mowgli]

i know for a fact that the crank & bearings will fit ok, not sure about the oil thingy though

[Andy]

Its gotta be easier to find an xe bottom end anyway,no point chancing it.

[Mike]

Its gotta be easier to find an xe bottom end anyway,no point chancing it.

XE bottom ends seem to fetch stupid money on eBay for some reason?!

[Andy]

XE bottom ends seem to fetch stupid money on eBay for some reason?!
Really?! i sold a let block last year for about £20

[Mike]

Really?! i sold a let block last year for about £20

Seriously mate, I put a freshly +0.5 overbored bare block on eBay & was getting messages from people offering my £150 to end the auction easrly :S After 3 days it was just under £100.

[Paul]

The words 'Boat' and 'Anchor' spring to mind

[mowgli]

The words 'Boat' and 'Anchor' spring to mind

i thought that was the 1.0 ohv......

[Andy_L]

Are the crank bearings, crank and everything the same? Ive gone and bought all new bearings for the engine i have, and then it turned out to be scrap lol.

Ive googled the bottom end but came up with this post... 'I'm pretty sure the only difference between the 8v and 16v block is an oil flow restrictor on the back of the 16v block in the main oil gallery (helps feed the 16v head with extra oil) that you'll need to fit to the 8v' :S

Many links below. HTH (okay well 2 links)

http://www.migweb.co.uk/forums/engines-transmission/342283-engine-blocks.html

http://www.migweb.co.uk/forums/engines-transmission/320268-ne-block-versas-xe-block-differences.html

[ST-eater]

Cheers for the links... Ive put up a wanted ad for either a good xe, or a c18xe to bore out. Think il play it safe getting an engine i know i can use, as ive spent stupid amount of money so far on this rusty paperweight...