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[ted_one]

Thinking of getting the Elites engine rebuilt as I'm starting to get a small amount of blue smoke on start up,I'm thinking that there might be a member on here or someone who they can recommend who  specialise in this type of work,car has 230.000 miles on the clock and runs on the money,but the engine could do with a bit of a freshen up. Would want a proper job done,so would prefer a recommendation based on your own experience.No big rush, but some time over the next 3-4 months. TIA

[Nick W]

Are you talking a freshen up or a rebuild?  A rebuild will mean a rebore, crank grind, head and block skim(the block should be trued as part of the rebore), new valve guides and recut seats, reconditioned con-rods etc etc. That's a lot of money in machine work let alone in parts. Being a modern, managed engine most of it is probably unnecessary. A freshen up could be anything  from a jetwash and detailing, to new bearings, rings and gaskets which again are probably unnecessary. A partial strip down would be necessary to make an informed decision on any of this. It sounds like your engine has worn valve stem seals, but at 230,000 miles that's just a sign of it having done plenty of honest work!
To be honest, if it runs well, then leave it alone.

[ted_one]

I hear what your saying Nick,I would have perhaps gone for a re-con..but having gone down that route on the 3.0 the result turned out as more 'con' than anything else,so I'm thinking work with what I have, and yes I'm prepared to give it what it needs subject to a strip down by someone who knows what they are doing and obviously have the skills and to be equipped to follow through with what ever work is needed.I'm going to keep the car long term as I plan to retire this summer and it's going to get used on some long road trips and I don't want to have it go bang on me in the middle of nowhere.....belt and braces I guess, and in some peoples views totally unnecessary but it's my call in the end I guess.

[Kevin Wood]

Yep, what he said ^.

It's not worth it unless it's showing signs of serious wear, and if all you're getting is a little smoke on start-up, it's probably just stem seals.

Even if it were ready for a proper rebuild, dropping in a 2nd hand engine is probably a better bet. These engines are built to tolerances at the factory that are going to need serious work to recreate during a rebuild, so my view is to keep the factory work original for as long as possible.

Heads-off, new stem seals and lapping in the valves would probably fix the smoke and is about the most I'd bother with.

When I built my kit car I stripped the engine and delivered the component bits to an engine workshop to be checked (I was tuning the engine, so it had to come to bits anyway). In the end I decided on a rebore and new pistons as the ring grooves were a little wide. It also had a crank polish, new bearings, valves lapped and a skim. IIRC, the bill for that (on a 4 pot) was 700 odd quid and that's 15 years ago and what I got back was another box of bits for me to reassemble. That was a 4 pot too.

Still sweet as a nut, though, despite the abuse it gets. As a mate of mine used to say: "Build 'em well, then give 'em hell!".

[ted_one]

As I say I'm prepared to give the car what it needs,and if that's the only problem then I don't have an issue with that,and as always I am very grateful for any advice given.Will still need to find someone to take on the work,so I'll let this run for a while as it isn't urgent but...it's on my to get it done list.

[Nick W]

Ken, have you checked the price and availability of a short engine from Vauxhall?
This would give you exactly what you want, and this approach is often the best value.
Combine a short engine with a carefully considered mix of new and serviced ancillaries, and you'll effectively have what was fitted on the production line.

[humbucker]

A known, good replacement engine would be by far and way your most cost-effective option, but you're still going to want to invest in a new timing belt and water pump even if taking an exchange engine from Vauxhall (you'll probably also need an oil cooler and a stack of other bits if choosing a re-manufactured engine). And you're likely to need a selection of gaskets and other service parts to be on the safe side. I'm about to refresh one of my 3.2s in advance of returning my MV6 to the road, but I'm stopping short of a full rebuild (I intend to fit an entirely different powerplant as soon as my next Cavalier Turbo project is up and running). Sprucing up the donor lump is still gonna cost a few quid, but rather that than see it fail as a consequence of a complaint that could have been avoided.

[ted_one]

Thinking??...... back shortly

[Andy H]

A couple of years ago rebuilt factory engines were about £1500 on trade club - don't know if they have any left - Maybe AndyC knows?

Edit - I think the Vauxhall engines are 'long' engines so include heads and timing gear but no ancillaries.

[humbucker]

Thinking??...... back shortly

Let me know if you need to supply an exchange unit to Vauxhall. I have a couple of spare/poorly 3.2s collecting dust 

[biggriffin]

Cheapest option is a factory gmx unit, they are long, they just need dressing, any decent tc dealer should be able to supply. As said £1500 is about the correct price last one I bought was 10 years ago £950 exchange on tc.
 Or go to gmpower and get a crate 3.8. .

[Nick W]

Cheapest option is a factory gmx unit, they are long, they just need dressing, any decent tc dealer should be able to supply. As said £1500 is about the correct price last one I bought was 10 years ago £950 exchange on tc.
 Or go to gmpower and get a crate 3.8. .

Long engine is what I meant, and if those prices are still similar, then it's definitely the way to achieve what Ken wants. After all, he couldn't buy the parts for that sort of money. And there will be a guarantee.

[ted_one]

Done a bit of research.....not a great amount of info at this time,just come up with the VXPRO site,and that's just basically a heads up site with a couple of contact numbers.....so you know that this is going to be a scary phone conversation full of big numbers Although I have a reasonable budget I think VX will live up to their usual reputation and make my dosh/arms and the odd leg disappear in a split second.Will give them a call tomorrow just to confirm the feelings of doom as is usual with VX

[Andy H]

Done a bit of research.....not a great amount of info at this time,just come up with the VXPRO site,and that's just basically a heads up site with a couple of contact numbers.....so you know that this is going to be a scary phone conversation full of big numbers Although I have a reasonable budget I think VX will live up to their usual reputation and make my dosh/arms and the odd leg disappear in a split second.Will give them a call tomorrow just to confirm the feelings of doom as is usual with VX

That seems overly pessimistic to me.

I don't think AndyC is able to sell to us any more but I think he is still able to check what is available within Vauxhall/Opel. I would send him a PM and ask what stock is available before getting off on the wrong foot with your local dealership.

[ted_one]

Pessimism is based on owning and dealing with VX for the last twenty five years and being continually bent over without the use of any lubricant But you could be right and they may well pleasantly surprise us all and come up with a great deal for which I will bite their arm off in a heart beat