1952 Alvis TA21 - Engine rebuild

The engine parts for the TA21 are all back from the machine shop and Ian has been busy building the engine back up.  As with all our engine rebuilds, the engine is stripped and cleaned so that all parts can be thoroughly inspected.  Any new parts are ordered and any necessary machining is carried out including surfacing the head and block to ensure a nice, neat fit.  The components can be cleaned several times during the rebuild so that we don't get any foreign matter within the newly rebuilt engine.  The customer can decide the level of finish/detailing, too.  This can be no painting, just as the engine came out, hand painted block, etc, or spray painting.

This engine is being hand painted so that it looks nice and smart.  There is no need to go to the top extreme with this since the car is not concours, but a genuine used quality with nice patina.

Engine removed from car

Starting strip-down

Parts ready for cleaning and checking

Machining pistons to match weights

Gapping piston rings

Fitting pistons to conrods

Checking timing chain alignment

Setting TDC

1952 Alvis TA21

Well, the engine on the Alvis is now stripped down to its component parts.  It is extremely poor and we suspect that someone has used modern-type oil in this vintage engine.  It is so important to use the correct oil - all the moving parts in this engine have deep scores caused by carbon embedding itself into the soft bearing material and wearing away at the hard metal surfaces.

The waterways were also totally choked up with corrosion and debris so that the engine had been running quite hot.

Engine just as it has come out of the car

Corrosion and silt blocking the waterways

Timing chain tensioner right out on its maximum setting

Crankshaft before removal

Oil pump shaft showing scores due to carbon embedded in casing