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Saracen - Rolls Royce B80


Mettlen

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Hi All,

 

I think I may have just hit a Major problem in the restoration of my Saracen MkII. I've just really started to take a look in the engine compartment of the Saracen and I thought I would take the plugs out to have a look at their condition and colour. Unfornately because this Saracen has been left outside for 10 years near the sea. The first 2 spark plugs completely disintegrated as I tried to undo them leaving the core in the cylinder head. Potentially this will happen with the reamining 6 plugs as well. So what I thought was going to straight forward job of cleaning or replacing the plugs has now potentially become big job. I'm particularly concerned that if a cylinder head gets damaged during the removal of the plug then the potential to get a replacement is unlikely. At the moment I see this as a decision point as to whether to go forward with the rest of the restoration because without a working engine there is no working saracen...............

 

Now to my question;

 

Are there any Rolls Royce B80 specialists out there?

 

I'm not aware B80 Cylinder heads can be obtained anymore?

 

Any other advice would be gratefully received but ultimately I don't want to throw good money after bad......

 

Thanks in advance

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I would have thought that you're first major concern would be if the engine can be rotated on the starting handle. If it doesn't rotate you will be removing the cylinder head anyway to see the condition of the cylinder bores. Even if you find rust in the bores thats not an engine killer a good quality engineering shop who reconditions engines would be able to help. I suspect that the spark plugs could be drilled or eased out.

 

I don't think that you need a specialist in the B series, the engines were built to be worked on by engineering workshops

Edited by ferrettkitt
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The first 2 spark plugs completely disintegrated as I tried to undo them leaving the core in the cylinder head.

 

 

Hi Mettlen,

 

As you know, I fitted that engine about 15 years ago, and I doubt it has run much since, knowing where it was, that is not to say it has suffered too much, if it turns over and rings have not rusted in the bores, then it should be alright, unless any exhaust valves have stuck. what i am wondering, about your spark plugs is did you release the smaller hexagon on the plug, leaving the outer shell? If you use a normal plug socket for 14mm spark plugs (7/16" Whit deep socket) there should not be a problem.

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Hi Guys,

 

thanks for the resposnes; I've got to agree with the last one in particular! Just answer some of the other questions. The engine turns over fine, in fact the oil looks very clean (in fact all the fluids are very clean) so I agree with Richard's assertion that this vehicle has not been used very much since the engine fitting. The big problem is the amount of corrosion and sand everywhere.

 

Anybody know how to get to the fuel pump without removing the engine?!!!

 

Is there anything special that I should be careful of when removing the cylinder head???

 

Many Thanks

Todd

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Hi Guys,

 

thanks for the resposnes; I've got to agree with the last one in particular! Just answer some of the other questions. The engine turns over fine, in fact the oil looks very clean (in fact all the fluids are very clean) so I agree with Richard's assertion that this vehicle has not been used very much since the engine fitting. The big problem is the amount of corrosion and sand everywhere.

 

Anybody know how to get to the fuel pump without removing the engine?!!!

 

Is there anything special that I should be careful of when removing the cylinder head???

 

Many Thanks

Todd

 

get a manual, there isnt much of a problem but why do you want to take the head off, the plugs should come out with a bit of effort and unless you intend or think you have dropped material into the head she should be fine. Cant imagine the engine will have suffered much as its pretty well sealed up and if she is turning freely you cant have much to worry about there...

 

The hint was I might just have a B80 cylinder head or two or three spare. I certainly have two B81 heads as well, think they are a simple bolt on replacement and would improve power but not massively so. The B81 has a number of other changes to make it more powerful...but the head would help I understand, maybe increase power to around 210 or even 215 bhp over the 190 ish of the B80, just a guess...

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Thanks Richard, I was hoping that wouldn't be the answer as it is completely corroded in that area as well including the seat i.e. most of the bolt heads are pile rust. I guess on a positive note they were going to have to come out anyway. Getting another seat and floor in this area is yet another bridge I will have to cross...... I think I'm going to have to post some photos of just how badly corroded this vehicle is!! Why did the previous owner leave the front hatch open for all that time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Paulob1, I've got the manual but just looking for hands on experience. As you say my concern is about dropping bits into the bore. A spare cylinder head is a contignency, just in case! I'd be interested if you are selling one.

 

Thanks

Todd

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the fuel pump is also accessible if you remove the o/s aircleaner, but only at arms length, when laid flat on the o/s wing,... or is it that I just have very long arms?

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Thanks Richard, I was hoping that wouldn't be the answer as it is completely corroded in that area as well including the seat i.e. most of the bolt heads are pile rust. I guess on a positive note they were going to have to come out anyway. Getting another seat and floor in this area is yet another bridge I will have to cross...... I think I'm going to have to post some photos of just how badly corroded this vehicle is!! Why did the previous owner leave the front hatch open for all that time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Paulob1, I've got the manual but just looking for hands on experience. As you say my concern is about dropping bits into the bore. A spare cylinder head is a contignency, just in case! I'd be interested if you are selling one.

 

Thanks

Todd

 

 

Hi Todd

 

If its any consolation , I am in the middle of restoring a saladin that has some very corroded areas - but what I keep on discovering is that underneath all the C**p there is solid metal. All the seized and rusty bits I dismantle are attached to good serviceable parts ( somewhere beneath) . The tin and sheetmetal parts may look awful right now, but when you strip them out and get back to the mountings, things improve. And then... after some shotblasting it gets even better! A few coats of primer and its almost as good as new. Take heart and keep up the good work ! :D

 

P.S.

Keep all your junked rusty bits as they may contain valuable mounts , brackets etc.

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