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I am in the middle of a rebuild on the spare engine for my 63 TR4. From a specifications standpoint I shold be able to reuse the liners / pistons assuming I get them out of the block unharmed. I see that there is a number of sources for Liner/Piston sets. Assuming I go for an 87mm set, does anone have opinions on the Mahle's ($800) vs the others ($500). I do not plan on racing and the motor will otherwise be stock. Is there really that much of a difference in precision / quality? Thanks
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TR4/4A TR4 Liners / Pistons - options
- Thread starter MrAlex
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I have been told that Mahle liners are the best. I had purchased a set from TRF some time back to rebuild a TR3 engine, till I abandoned the project. Returned the liner set to the vendor, no problem. Others say that you can get less expensive liners that work as well. My info is you get what you pay for. I am sure that TR3,4 owners will add to this discussion.
Don Elliott
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I have all the big stuff to assemble a spare engine for my 1958 TR3A. But I have not done this because I only drive my TR from April to October and I have twice rebuilt the original block during the winter months when I'm not in a rush. And it stays "original" for any TRA or VTR judges.
Also if you complete your spare engine for lots of dollars, and then you let it sit "till you need it", it will deteriorate with time. Storing a "new" or re-built engine means that you have to lubricate it properly during storage. You may do it but, ask yourself first, "Will I ever need to use it?" I have 178,000 miles on my "original" engine, 98,000 miles since I replaced the pistons and liners and I drove 93,000 miles before I needed to change the rings last spring. I still have the original cam and cam bearings, the original rockers, pedestals and rocker shaft with 178,000 miles from new.
Don Elliott, Original Owner, 1958 TR3A
Also if you complete your spare engine for lots of dollars, and then you let it sit "till you need it", it will deteriorate with time. Storing a "new" or re-built engine means that you have to lubricate it properly during storage. You may do it but, ask yourself first, "Will I ever need to use it?" I have 178,000 miles on my "original" engine, 98,000 miles since I replaced the pistons and liners and I drove 93,000 miles before I needed to change the rings last spring. I still have the original cam and cam bearings, the original rockers, pedestals and rocker shaft with 178,000 miles from new.
Don Elliott, Original Owner, 1958 TR3A
Simon TR4a
Jedi Knight
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I cannot offer an opinion on whether they are worth the difference as my engine was last rebuilt in the early 1970's, Standard Triumph pistons and liners!
I have heard the Indian-made "County" pistons are quite good but this is second-hand information. Liners can be rebored, though it may not cost any more to buy replacements.
I have heard the Indian-made "County" pistons are quite good but this is second-hand information. Liners can be rebored, though it may not cost any more to buy replacements.
NickMorgan
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I can't really offer an opinion because I have nothing to compare, but when I goofed up my cylinder head replacement several years ago I ended up needing a new piston. I bought a set of Mahle pistons and liners. When they arrived one of the liners was cracked and one of the piston rings was broken. I don't suppose that it could be blamed on the manufacturer and maybe it had been dropped in transit. Anyway, once the replacement arrived, they fitted fine and the car has been running very well ever since. But as I say, I wouldn't know if it would be running any differently with different pistons and liners!
TR3driver
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All I can add is that the absolute sweetest running TR3A I ever had was put together using liners from the "remainder" bin at JC Whitney !
No, I'm not kidding ... went to Chicago to buy a set of liners and they were out of new ones, so the clerk offered us a deal on a set that were returned because the 'grade' markings did not match. Got the whole set for $80. Fig-8 gaskets were ruined, but there was another set of them in the gasket set so was good to go.
With a cheap exhaust header also from JCW; Cherry Bomb muffler; "3/4 race" camshaft from Bap-Geon; plus a TR4 A-type OD; I used to regularly embarrass 289 Mustangs ... til I broke a tooth out of the diff one night and had to limp home ka-thunk ka-thunk ka-thunk.
Sure wish I'd kept the timing specs for that cam, I'd love to have that engine back again.
No, I'm not kidding ... went to Chicago to buy a set of liners and they were out of new ones, so the clerk offered us a deal on a set that were returned because the 'grade' markings did not match. Got the whole set for $80. Fig-8 gaskets were ruined, but there was another set of them in the gasket set so was good to go.
With a cheap exhaust header also from JCW; Cherry Bomb muffler; "3/4 race" camshaft from Bap-Geon; plus a TR4 A-type OD; I used to regularly embarrass 289 Mustangs ... til I broke a tooth out of the diff one night and had to limp home ka-thunk ka-thunk ka-thunk.
Sure wish I'd kept the timing specs for that cam, I'd love to have that engine back again.
Don Elliott
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A fellow TR3A owner is restoring his TR in Belgium and he ordered Mahle pistons, rings and liners. When they arrived, he found several rings broken.
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There ya go, now, how confused are you? I would say call Dave at TRF for a 6th opinion.
eleets
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I built my 1991cc TR-3A to 2138cc using TRF parts. Loved it until it started to smoke after about 50,000 mi from a broken oil ring. My wife to surprise me took it to the local garage and they put in a new liner and piston of unknown mfg. and it shook so bad that I had to have it redone all over again, this time everything was balanced statically and dynamically. After that it sure was sweet.
D
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When I was young, I worked in a motorcycle shop and on occasion we would bore a cylinder and install a liner. I was taught a neat trick to check liners for cracks.
Run some wire through the liner and hold it in the air, give it a lite tap with anything metal. If it's good it will ring like a bell with a clear tone, if it has a crack you will get a dull thud. This also works for TR liners and will detect a crack that would otherwise go unnoticed.
Run some wire through the liner and hold it in the air, give it a lite tap with anything metal. If it's good it will ring like a bell with a clear tone, if it has a crack you will get a dull thud. This also works for TR liners and will detect a crack that would otherwise go unnoticed.