What did I get?

[Norton47]

I went and looked a 1500 Spit engine, the engine # is FM 5973UE. I got the price down some so I bought it.

The reciept for the parts and machine shop`is written up for labor as, bored .020 over, honed, hot tanked, removed and replace cam bearings, install new exhaust seats for unleaded, grind valves, machine and install bronze guides, align rods, recondition small and large ends. balance eng and flywheel, crankshaft turned .010.
The Parts section was written up as,
Parts Kit #9450
17929-.020 pistons and rings
4B2406 rod bearings, 3M2407 main bearings,
T2407 cam bearings,
OP621 oil pump,
EG091 gaskets REPCO,
1362 General Chain set Timming comp.
3 exhaust valves 211-2237,
4 hard seats Ex 1840 Snyder
8 valve guides 1840 liners
211-6193 Repco rear seal,
211-2142 Front seal,
CK261 Repco Head set,
C1362 GCI and A60510 GCI.
TR-15RVI or RVT (cant read writing for sure) R-V cam D-9 grind.
This was completed in and paid for on 3-21-88.

Anyone recognize any of these part numbers?
How about the cam?
I have pulled the clutch off to fit it to my engine stand. All the parts were punch marked already to allow them to be realigned. I took off the valve cover and every thing looks like new or cleaned.

It came with a Weber DGAV33B1 32/36 carb and a Cannon Induction manifold (Compton CA) and a 4 into one header, (inexpensive one from it's looks) .
It also came with a 3 rail trans that is very clean and painted and all new gaskets showing.
Wonder what I got?

BPNW informed that a D-9 grind has the following spec's
MGB D-9 CAM SPEC’S
DURATION @.050 229 DEG
INTAKE OPENS AT 8 CLOSES AT 41
EXHAUST OPENS AT 41 CLOSES AT 8
CAM LIFT .295 LOBE CENTER 108 DEG
INTAKE VALVE LASH .018
EXHUAST VALVE LASH .018
How would I check the lift and duration? Use a dial indicator on the rocker and a timing wheel on the crankshaft?
I am concerned about how hot the cam might be for street use?
I plan to pull the oil pan and check things out. Thought it might be a good idea to check the torque on the fasteners. Should I loosen them then re-torque? Also thought I would pop one bearing cap off to see if there is assembly lube on them.
The engine has been dry stored with oil in the pan. The top end is pretty dry, but no rust of any kind.

What say ye?
Thanks

 

[LarryK]

Seems like you have a mild cammed engine. Spray a little oil in plug holes. You probably will not have to worry about troque, seems shop rebuilt the engine and carefully made sure it is balanced and ground appropiately. Install and pull plugs and leave ignition unplugged and turn over enough to build oil pressure. You can then install plugs and fire up and run at about 1500-2000rpm to seat cam and followers. Shut down and drive to break-in. Change oil at about 500 to 1000 miles and take for a ride. Will probably make you smile.

 

[2wrench]

Three exhaust valves seems weird. How come? Guess I'm gonna embarrass
myself.

 

[emmett1010]

I'd guess that that was all that was available.
If the shop was honest enough to only charge for what they installed, they probably did a honest job on the rebuild.
I'd say you might have really lucked out.
Emmett

 

[Norton47]

I would assume only three were burnt or damaged enough to require replacement. I think generally the exhausts are big enough to allow better breathing and the intakes are made larger or have porting steps taken. Since thats not listed, I am assuming that the cam is opening the intake valve longer in time (duration) and more, as in valve surface from seat (lift.
what I would like to know is how to measure that?

 

[PeterK]

Maybe the PO already had one valve. After sometold him he needed a valve job or he stuck one, he ordered it before the rebuild process began.

 

[2wrench]

Would you believe: "Another day older and deeper in debt?"
lol,

From the song, get it???

 

[martx-5]

BPNW informed that a D-9 grind has the following spec's
MGB D-9 CAM SPEC’S
DURATION @.050 229 DEG
INTAKE OPENS AT 8 CLOSES AT 41
EXHAUST OPENS AT 41 CLOSES AT 8
CAM LIFT .295 LOBE CENTER 108 DEG
INTAKE VALVE LASH .018
EXHUAST VALVE LASH .018
How would I check the lift and duration?

You said this is a 1500 Spitfire engine, then you mention an <span style="font-weight: bold">MGB D-9 cam spec.</span> Are they the same???

Anyway, to answer your question, you are going to need a dial indicator and a degree wheel to check the cam specs.

That said, those specs are similar to what I have in my TR3, with the exception of the duration. Mine's 49 & 9 @ 0.050". My total duration comes to 282 deg, so yours is probably around 273 deg. My lift is .287 to yours at .295. My rocker ratio is 1.5, but I don't know what the Spit's is. So there you go. It's a nice street grind, but nothing outrageous.

 

[Norton47]

Mart-x
I am not sure, BPNW provided that information in regards to a D-9 grind. I am not a cam expert and they did not know for sure either. They seemed to think that it was a pretty tall lift and suggested I check for valve spring coil binding. I have looked and when fully open I can still see daylight between the center coils.
That's why I posted it, to see what the feed back would be.

 

[eejay56]

It's almost exactly like mine with a bit more lift
DURATION @.050 229 DEG mine is 230
INTAKE OPENS AT 8 CLOSES AT 41 mine is 9 and 40
EXHAUST OPENS AT 41 CLOSES AT 8 again 40 and 9
CAM LIFT .295 LOBE CENTER 108 DEG lift .260 lobe center 106

mine is nice and strong while still idling fine at 1000. It moved the power curve up though. Pulls good starting at 3000 and kind of jumps from 4200 to 5500. I try not to take it much higher than that. That's with the same carb and cheap Pacesetter 4-1 header. I've got the high compression (relatively) flat-top pistons. It's interesting that it has cam bearings too, those weren't stock. And balanced. It sounds like you got a real good deal.

 

[Norton47]

Eric
I thought Spit's had cam bearings and TR6's do not?

 

[eejay56]

The earlier engines had cam bearings but the 1500 didn't. Adding them is not uncommon.