Another engine problem!

[tom_beverley]

My car started running ****e the ther other day I checked the plugs and one of the electodes had disappeared off the end of a plug :roll: (Don't use champion plugs!)

So, my dad did a compression test and on that pot the compression was way down (about 2 on the gauge). Saying that the other pots were not as high as they should be (I think). On the gauge it goes from red lower number to green (where its meant to be) and the other pots were about 8 - just below the green.

Anyways we are going to have to take the head off to see what damage is done either to the valve, guides, or piston (or in my case probably all 3) and fix it before PVS!!!

I have a 1200 B+ head on a 1400SR block, I thought that putting a smaller cc head on increases the compression ratio?

[johnny27]

Is it possible it could have broke a ring? Hopefully you have'nt scored the bore too badly.

[tom_beverley]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it hasn't! Otherwise a new 1400 block will be easier rather than repairing.

[tom_beverley]

At least its passed its MOT today, i was quite worried about that, one step closer to PVS haha! :) :) :)

[Adam]

Ye, hope the tip of the plug hasn't damaged the valve head/valve seat.
Low compression could point to the valves on that cylinder not sealing well, or piston rings.

[SuperNova!]

Or the end of the plug burning a hole through the top of the piston, but hopefully not :thumb:

[tom_beverley]

Yeah hopefully not! I'm hoping for as least damage as possible, a knackered valve/piston aint that bad because they can be replaced quite easily compared to a knackered bore :(

Anyone got a decent 1400 bottom end they want rid of? lol

Time will tell, hopefully I'll be able to take it bits tomorrow and see!

[tom_beverley]

Got the head off today dreading what I was going to find, but I've been lucky and its only the valve thats damaged. Checked the bore and its unblemished as is the piston. Theres a little too much play on one piston which is probably a sign of the rings going but that can wait until a later date I think as I need my dads help for that and he hasn't the time or space.


Heres the **** plug in question (notice the electrode missing) :mad:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v147/tom_beverley/DSCF0001.jpg

and a couple of shots of the knackered valve with a nice chunk missing!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v147/tom_beverley/DSCF0002.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v147/tom_beverley/DSCF0003.jpg

[johnny27]

if you had a good one spare, you could put a 1300 head back on. You would have abit more power for PVS, i know most of us nova owners have loads of parts and spare's lying up somewhere, if you had the head you'd probaly have the inlet manifold and all.
Sorry for the hijack but its not worth another thread about 1400s, but has anyone with a 1400nv acutally changed the orignal head to a 1300sr item either std or gas flowed?
Was it worth the hassle for the power gain? Just that i have a gasflowed 1300 head here spare and wondered if its worth my while Cheers

[Adam]

A 1200 head is better than 1300, and his is a Billy 1200 head.
So going back to any standard head is going to loose power.

[johnny27]

Did'nt realize he was using a B+ 1200 head, thought it was std 1400.
Is it worthwhile for me on my 14nv to use a 1300 worked head? A mpi head is out of the question for me as i'm using a 32/34 carb

[Adam]

The 1300 head is much better than a 1400sr head yeah.