head rebuild

[hollows76]

Hi All,

Im looking at a potential head rebuild this year and would like some idea of cost and who I should go to.

I have 2 options:-

1. Take the head off (in situ) myself strip the cams and send the head to someone for a rebuild. Once rebuilt I get the head put it back on the engine (in situ) stick the cams on and do the shim adjustments and cam timing myself.

2. Take the car down to someone who can take the head off strip the cams and rebuild the head and do the shim adjustments and cam timing etc.

I would like to get a rough idea of cost for these 2 options and perhaps some suggestions on who might be able to do this.

My head is pretty standard and I would like to have those bronze guides fitted, new valves, seats etc.

I live in Hampshire so someone near by would be ideal.

Thanks

Chris

[billwill]

This is the website of Rob Morley, who does all the tricky engine stuff for me.

http://www.pro-tune.com/

He works in conjunction with this firm.
http://www.ratrace-motorsport.co.uk/

[peterexpart]

Chris
Best Cyl Head man around is m"Brett Sims Motorsport" New Milton Hampshire 01425 626146 he was the Head Specialist for Richard Longman Racing when they were doing a lot of the British Touring Car Championship, and he now does a lot of Lotus Engine work for other companies as well as some very special Twin Cam & Injected Mini Engines for the current British Hill Climb Champion & Rallycross Champion.
I am picking my Head up from him tomorrow, as a Guide he charges ?600 ish for a full Rebuild with New Guides, Valves, Seats, Cam Bushes and Re Shim, and he really does know what he is doing.
Give him a call

[hollows76]

Thius is great I gave Bret a call and he ceratinly seemd very helpful and said it was not a problem to do this work. He did mention he had just done a head that had similar symptoms to mine....would that be yours? Now its just a question of when I do this really?

[peterexpart]

Chris
I would get it to him as soon as possible, it does take him between 8 - 12 weeks at this time of year due to all the people that want their engines refurb'd before the start of the new season.
And yes the one he was refering to would have been mine !!
Where in Hampshire are you ??

[martinbrowning]

Chris,
You might also consider going to see Miles Wilkins at Fibreglass Services, Yapton. he is very highly regarded in Lotus circles - indeed he wrote the definitive bible on rebuilding twinCam engines.

Martin B

[hollows76]

Thanks everyone for all the comments.

I think bret is the man for me as hes just under 1 hour from me and im in Overton west side of basingstoke.

I was impressed with Bret on the phone.

Peter - do you get oil seeping through the exhaust manifold gasket? I have this right now on number 2 exhaust port and bret described that problem to me on a recent head he had in perhaps urs.

Chris

[peterexpart]

Chris
No that was not the problem with mine, it was just totally worn out !!!! I kow he is doing a Lotus Cortina one at the moment though.