(the Austin engine had an overhaul a couple of years ago). I would be grateful for any advice/opinion on the following:The engine is currently bored out to approximately 59mm, i.e. 2mm or 0.080” oversize. What are the chances that a rebore to 0.100” oversize will be possible? Should I expect that “sleeving” with liners will be necessary? (We had the Austin bored out to 0.080” and from what I learned then that was the maximum oversize that one can expect on the Seven engine, with a few percent failing (penetration of the cooling channels)).
An alternative of course would be to go for new rings only. Unfortunately we don’t have the proper tools to measure the inside diameter of the bore where it is worn, but there is a distinct edge where the piston turns at the top. Inserting one of the rings and measuring the difference in the gap in the ring when positioned above and just below the edge indicates a difference in circumference of about 0.4-0.5mm i.e. around 0.15mm (0.006”) wear on the diameter. Any opinions on how bad that is – would new rings be sufficient? (a contemporary Danish Morris 8 book says that any wear in excess of 0.07mm requires a rebore).
Are there any recommendable companies in UK which has experience with renovating Minor engines (rebore, new valve guides, etc.)? I’m sure I can find a company here in Denmark that is willing to do the job, but none with experience in the Minor engine, so combined with the current exchange rates it might be attractive to have it done in the UK. We had the Austin engine renovated in UK by John Barlow, and that was a very positive experience.