So now what? Hmmmmmmm....
Turbo Mini Forums

Hi all.. apart from introducing myself this is my 1st post, apologies in advance if it's in the wrong place or if it's been asked before. I have done some searches but can't find what I'm looking for.

Ok, here goes....

Basically, just got my 1st project, a clubby estate with a metro turbo. It did start and run, a little rough, but the engine bay was in a mess, wires everywhere, old tatty parts, some surface rust present and block looks filthy. So I decide to remove the engine to clean up and paint the engine bay, replace new brake lines, master cylinders, some electrics etc etc...

So what do I do with the engine? What would you do? Rebuild it? Recondition it? I don't know the condition of the engine or how badly it has been abused? I'm not a mechanic, I don't know too much about engines but that's why I'm here, to learn. Should I rebuild the turbo? Does it need rebuilding? What should I be looking for? Before I removed the engine it did start but it hesitated sometimes when you revved it, a clicking or knocking sound sometimes could be heard, something needed sorting. I don't even know what turbo it is, how can I be sure it's a Metro turbo engine? I brought it in good faith...

I'm just a noobie looking to see where I go from here, I have a block here in need of resurrection..

Cheers..

hiya there are a few tell tales. If you can take a few pics of the engine. Also clean up the engine number if it has one it will be on the top of the block above where the alternator goes. Let up know the numbers and we should be able to tell you what at least it started out. James

My small bore turbo project http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.php?p=vt&tid=473901

As a minimum I would split the engine from the gearbox and pop of the main and big end caps. Then replace the bearings and if needs be grind the crank. Also pop a new oil pump in while you are there. This should give you good oil pressure when it goes back together.

Any modifications are down to what you want from the engine. Standard power? 120bhp 150bhp? etc etc

there are a few simple easy checks you can do,

look in the outlet of the turbo compressor for signs of oil,

waggle the compressor wheel to see how much play there is. about half a mm is ok.

pull the plugs and see what they look like, your looking for oil.

I agree with the above, stick a set of bearings in it and an oil pump as a matter of course, and probably a set of rings and a re hone too.

Ok guys, thanks for the replies! Regarding the engine number... It's missing, only the two brass rivets that would hold it in place are there, looks like it has broken off.

Is there any particular colour the metro turbo blocks were painted? I know the 1275's were painted red... Mine is a light bluish sort of colour, looks original colour?

All 1275 A+ where red from the factory

So what about the metro turbos?

Metro turbo was an A+ 1275 engine so as Andy says all were red apart from the later MPI engines which are a different block.

Edited by Tom Fenton on 31st Oct, 2012.

Ah I see... It all becomes clear. So my block should be red, or signs of it.

yep, its probably under the blue as the red is sooooo hard to get off.

So am I correct in thinking that my engine is the same bore as a 1275.. With a turbo? I thought it was slightly bigger?

Do excuse the noob questions please! I gotta start somewhere...

yep, same bore, unles its been rebored,

the only real difference between the metro turbo an normal metro engine is different pistons and different exhaust valves.

Edited by Tom Fenton on 31st Oct, 2012.

Will do.. Thanks! I'll check out the exhaust valves tomorrow!!

yep, stems on a genuine turbo head are fatter on the exhaust, easy to see with the rocker cover off,

however, if the head has been upgraded then they may all be the same size.

This is also a good starting point:

http://www.turbo-mini.com/index2.html

Nice.. some good info.. cheers!!