B18A Engine rebuilt to "B18B+" spec

[sleek lemur]

Started with a tired but original B18A that had rested in the back of a garage for some years. Plan was to build a really good engine that would deliver perhaps a little more than a B18B. Looking at the dates on my photos, I spent a month cleaning the bare block and head. Waterways were thoroughly cleaned with Evapo-Rust, really digging and scraping everything. Fill waterways with fluid, leave to soak for 48hrs, dig and scrape with long screwdrivers, turn upside down, drain, rinse..and repeat..and repeat....

I chose Coltec of Hollesley, near Woodbridge to do the engineering work. Randalls did my 1800E "B21.5" and I was really pleased with the work, but a friend who races an MG recommended Hollesley, who he'd been using for decades, and his father before him. Coltec removed the oil bungs I couldn't shift and put the block through their own cleaning process. Block was refaced. The crank was within tolerance with only 2 thou of wear. (Volvo quality!) Block was rebored for +30thou pistons, new camshaft bearings fitted, small end bearings were removed and replaced, cylinder head was skimmed to raise compression ratio to 9.5:1, hardened valve seats were fitted for unleaded fuel, new valves lapped in. I decided to replace the bushings in the rockers and these were honed to fit. Coltec bill was £974.

For assembly, the first things to go in were new core plugs all round. I replaced the main and big end bearings with new standard size items. Liberal use of AMSOIL assembly lube throughout. New pistons. New nuts on the con rods. I bought a "K" cam from Brookhouse following their recommendation on power/usability. New oil pump, cam followers, push rods, valve springs and oil sealing caps. 4 rocker ball sockets replaced. Alloy timing gear. Neoprene rear crank seal conversion. New cylinder head bolts and manifold studs. New magnetic drain plug. New rocker cover and oil filler cap. New oil pressure switch, new water pump, new engine drain tap. Engine painted correct colour. All receipts kept.

Photos of the rebuild at below link

https://photos.app.goo.gl/WKRkLoTDR1KsbY2U7

I bought all parts from Brookhouse. Their pricing is competitive and customer service excellent. My Brookhouse bill was £2,385. I paid £50 for the engine (Thanks, Andy!) , so I've spent 50+2,385+974=£3,409.

I think £3,000 is a fair price to ask.

I have also bought and restored 2 SU HS6 carbs and a manifold from a 122S, which would go nicely with the engine. I'm prepared to include these with the engine.