Hi - new to this forum and really hoping for some advice....
After years of trying to persuade the better half, I was finally allowed to indulge my lifelong dream last spring, raided my savings, jumped in with both feet and bought a 1971 Dormobile. Needless to say, having no experience whatsoever of aircooled engines, I was a little surprised and more than a little miffed when a smokescreen overtook me on the motorway on the way home.
The engine is 1776cc on the original short block, and I did not know where to start. After a lot of research and grazed knuckles I discovered that it had dropped a valve. With the help of some receipts inherited with the bus, I managed to track down the original engine builder, who was the only person who knew what modifications had been made, and had the top end rebuilt. She has run like a dream and we clocked up 3000 miles around Cornwall and the East Coast and had the best summer ever.
Now to my point. She still runs lovely, pulling strongly, but the crankshaft pulley has now developed movement if you pull it and push it. The movement is visible and probably apx 2-3 mm and clonks. Also, the timing at low revs is eratic, as noticed with timing light. Is the bottom end dying ?
If it is, what is the best thing to do ? Have it stripped down, reground and rebuilt ? Keep driving ?
I would really appreciate any thoughts and advice anyone may be able to offer.
After years of trying to persuade the better half, I was finally allowed to indulge my lifelong dream last spring, raided my savings, jumped in with both feet and bought a 1971 Dormobile. Needless to say, having no experience whatsoever of aircooled engines, I was a little surprised and more than a little miffed when a smokescreen overtook me on the motorway on the way home.
The engine is 1776cc on the original short block, and I did not know where to start. After a lot of research and grazed knuckles I discovered that it had dropped a valve. With the help of some receipts inherited with the bus, I managed to track down the original engine builder, who was the only person who knew what modifications had been made, and had the top end rebuilt. She has run like a dream and we clocked up 3000 miles around Cornwall and the East Coast and had the best summer ever.
Now to my point. She still runs lovely, pulling strongly, but the crankshaft pulley has now developed movement if you pull it and push it. The movement is visible and probably apx 2-3 mm and clonks. Also, the timing at low revs is eratic, as noticed with timing light. Is the bottom end dying ?
If it is, what is the best thing to do ? Have it stripped down, reground and rebuilt ? Keep driving ?
I would really appreciate any thoughts and advice anyone may be able to offer.
