Bugger

[Cab-over Pete]

Aye-up,

Bit of a disappointing day today.

I thought we had trouble with a weeping front and rear crank seal on my Dads old AEC Mercury milk tanker.

We put a bottle of thick oily stuff in it that softens seals. Waste of time that was. Within half an hour there is oil pouring from several places, so we set to getting the sump off. To cut a long story short, we've found 4 cracked pistons, 3 cracked liners and four buggered valve stem seals. It's a wonder it ran at all, but she started instantly, had good pressure, didn't smoke once warm and didn't get hot, so I'm amazed to find all this trouble.

So, I think we need a full rebuild.

Any good places to recommend for parts, skimming, fitting liners and re-assembly? I've found one place and there saying upwards of £5500.

Cheers, Pete.

 

[Timo@hattonfarms]

Have you tried Coventry Boring? Or are they the quote above

 

[DrWazzock]

Sometimes you don't need machining of the block. If not, and you take your time, and can get the parts, then it can be a satisfying project. But I don't know that engine.

 

[Cab-over Pete]

Have you tried Coventry Boring? Or are they the quote above

I've not tried them Tim, just thought of them after 5pm.

This is a place in Nuneaton that was recommended to me. I called another place in Shropshire about parts yesterday and they were both about the same for parts costs, but I would still ahve to get other work done locally.

 

[Mursal]

A Mercury Pete?
Maybe a Leyland 401 engine, then so?
The reason I ask, notice engines still in the box going through the auctions, you'd never be that lucky?
I'll keep a wee eye, will you find out what you have?

 

[DrWazzock]

Old truckers forum somewhere?

Liners might be replaceable without machining but I'd always send the head away for a professional recon. Our vapormatic agent provides this service as one of the blokes there knows his stuff. A lot don't though.

 

[bobk]

British engineering at it's best

 

[Cab-over Pete]

A Mercury Pete?
Maybe a Leyland 401 engine, then so?
The reason I ask, notice engines still in the box going through the auctions, you'd never be that lucky?
I'll keep a wee eye, will you find out what you have?

Engine is an AV 505. I think it's an 8.1 litre, fitted to a 1975 Mercury.

 

[Kevtherev]

Trip to rushgreen?

 

[Right-arm fast]

Hi Pete, there was a company in Dudley (Dudley Engine centre) who specialised in engine recons. They were brilliant and could machine anything test everything and were as honest as the day was long. Fantastic to say the least. Could get all the parts at the right prices too. Roy Trinidade was the owners name. I would recommend them no problem, if they are still going as I'm not sure if they are. Or may have changed their name. I have used others but wouldn't recommend. If you have to do anything on the radiator try not to use Warwick Radiators in Cov as I was recommended to go to them and the radiator had to go back to be re-done as it leaked exactly as it had done beforehand

 

[Mursal]

680 would be the next engine up click
Worth contacting them, they might well have a 505 .
As far as I know the drive line is the same, but double check the bell housing

 

[Henarar]

put a 511 in it, you will soon get the milk picked up and the head gasket will never go

 

[Cab-over Pete]

Hi Pete, there was a company in Dudley (Dudley Engine centre) who specialised in engine recons. They were brilliant and could machine anything test everything and were as honest as the day was long. Fantastic to say the least. Could get all the parts at the right prices too. Roy Trinidade was the owners name. I would recommend them no problem, if they are still going as I'm not sure if they are. Or may have changed their name. I have used others but wouldn't recommend. If you have to do anything on the radiator try not to use Warwick Radiators in Cov as I was recommended to go to them and the radiator had to go back to be re-done as it leaked exactly as it had done beforehand

Thank You Sir, I'll try and get some details tomorrow. Hope you're all well.

680 would be the next engine up click
Worth contacting them, they might well have a 505 .
As far as I know the drive line is the same, but double check the bell housing

I would like to keep the original engine. It might sound daft, but Dad put most of the miles into it. It's mostly his fault it's going to cost me!!

 

[two-cylinder]

Our soppy sides show when we buy back old family vehicles.
I recently bought our first tractor sold in 1940!
Gradually tearing it apart, and wondering how far to go?

I look at it this way: the more you replace- less of the original vehicle is left.

Replace too much and you end up with a replica.

 

[Cab-over Pete]

That's why I'm not going to restore it Darren. She's in quite good original shape and looks really good from a few miles away, so I'm going to leave her as she is.

I would never have got her through an MOT with the oil leaks though and once you start with an engine job it seems daft not to do it all. I would like to think, if I'm lucky, I could get 20+ years of enjoyment from her.

 

[Cab-over Pete]

I meant to put looks good from a few yards away, not miles away!!!

 

[Mursal]

It might sound daft

Not daft at all ........

 

[two-cylinder]

I meant to put looks good from a few yards away, not miles away!!!

Damn, thought you'd found the key to reversing age-related sight loss!

 

[DRC]

These chaps are very good.
http://www.billcar.co.uk/about-us

 

[cfr1964]

Found this , would a 760 fit ?
https://m.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=116917471991665&id=106906932992719