Fast Marina Magazine

A few of you might remember the blue marina mk3 that was on eBay a few months ago which I ended up buying in a moment of silliness! We got it home to find the engine Siezed.

The head was removed yesterday to find number two cylinder red rusty and full of water. The head gasket looked fine. The complete engine is now out of the car, the rust looks like it's going to clean off ok and the rest of the engine is on remarkable condition. There's hardly a mark on the big end shells or crank. It's clean in the sump, the sump itself is like new and it must have had a clutch fitted shortly before being parked up as the clutch is like brand new.

I'm told the chassis and sills are solid and apart from a couple of soft spots the floor pans are very good. The headlamp panels need a bit of work but the engine bay is completely rot free.

We are going to have the head pt'd, unleaded valve seats fitted and probably the head skimmed.

Excellent stuff! Good to hear it is getting the restoration it deserves! Keep us updated with pictures and if you want it in the next OC Magazine email: editor@morrismarina.org.uk

I will , I'll email you some pictures as I get them.

If very much like to have it in the magazine. I'll keep you all updated.

We are very surprised at the overall condition of the car for it's age.

There been a brand new boxed O series engine on ebay for a while for not much money. Valve seats are very hard as standard in O series engine as they are made from stellite so should be suitable for unleaded
Dave

david painter wrote:There been a brand new boxed O series engine on ebay for a while for not much money. Valve seats are very hard as standard in O series engine as they are made from stellite so should be suitable for unleaded

Was that because it was intended to be used in the MGB for the US market?

Important thing with O series engines - make sure the cylinder head stud holes in the block are totally clean.

They get oil down them which prevents the studs from tightening down properly, so the gasket leaks.

Ask me how I know...!

I no longer retighten these heads after replacing the head gasket - it most often leads to this problem.

Great engine though.