1800 engine problems.

Unfortunate. I take it the bores are scratched up as well?

Chris.

You will still need to determine the underlying cause if you have not done so already. A crab engine, even an old one should be capable of prolonged high rpm / speed running as I proved many times in the past. The most likely causes of damage are over advanced ignition, a weak mixture and overheating because of poor water circulation in the block and or radiator, probably in that order.

regards

David

One of my my Mk11 cars used to do trips of 150 miles each way several times a year where 100 or so of those miles were often at the speeds you suggested. The engine had done over 100K at the time so was well past its prime. Admittedly that was using leaded fuel. I would still think it worthwhile checking he distributor maximum advance. Electronic ignition unless it is programmable still relies of the weights and stops. Just a few degrees over advanced could lead to the kind of damage you experienced.

Regards

David

I've just driven my 'crab from Grantham to Verona and back, at autoroute speeds, on unleaded, using chains where the snow made them necessary.  I added tetraethyl lead at each refill.  It is my intention to have the valves hardened within 2016, because I'm running out of 4ePb, which it is now illegal to sell.

I weakened the mixture at 1000 m, the SU carb runs rich at altitude, which can lead to plug fouling.

I *checked* oil, grease, transmission fluid etc in Verona.  Apart from transmission fluid (there is a leak which I intend to get fixed soon - it's an engine-out job which I can't handle on my own) all were fine.

Normally the 'crab sticks to Lincolnshire backroads, and 50 km/h.

The engine got a bit hot and bothered climbing an Alp in snow, and if the temperature gauge moves above normal I switch off and let it cool down.  Microseconds later a Swiss police car arrived and wanted to know the problem.  Apparently they attend every breakdown in snow because there is a risk of hypothermia to the people in the car.  I explained the problem was not insufficient heat, but too much. 

I think it was the transmission which was getting a bit hot and bothered, does anyone have experience of installing a temperature sensor in the BW35 autobox?

The roadside interview was unnecessarily prolonged because Swiss police were amazed that I'd drive a 47 year old car across the Alps in winter ('my father drove this very same model through the Alps regularly.  These are very dependable cars.'), because one of the officers wanted to practice her Ladin, which is Switzerland's fourth language and which very few people speak, and because both officers were very attractive young women.  They then drove behind me, blue lights flashing, at 80 km/h, to the border.  I think the engine was happier for their attention.  At the border, shake hands, profuse thanks from me, and a couple of sweet Swiss smiles and I was on my way.

While I wouldn't swear an oath on it, I'd say this is the first time a 'crab owner has conducted an interview in Ladin (also known as Rumantsch, Rhaeto-Roman, Sursilvan or Sutsilvan - there are lots of dialects).  Although we could have conversed in English (they were both fluent) French or Italian (We are all fluent) or German (they are fluent, I can pick my way through a sentence to find the verb) we spoke about my car in a language which, like the 'crab, is rare, venerable, and refuses to die.

MidnightBlue

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Awesome - got any pics?

Andrew

Clip on top of the PCV valve is 27H 7760. In stock at Leacy Classics - HERE. P+P will no doubt cost more than the clip.

Chris.