Dear All,

I am about to buy a 1991 Townace. The head is off and I am told cracked due to over-heating - the bottom hose split whilst on a jouney. I am advised that it is silly to replace the c/head as perhaps other damage has been done through over-heating on big ends, bores, piston rings etc. I have to find a replacement engine.

What are yur experiences? Is there any way to accertain the condition of the rest of the engine? Is it normal for the whole engine to be damaged as a result of o/heating? Has any one got a good engine?

I would appretiate any advice.

Hugh Andrews

- (#5401) hugh andrews, 3 Sep 02

Hugh it all depends on if your going to do the work yourself or pay someone - most garages dont care for townies and they tend to make it expensive as a result - its hard to know the condition of an engine when u havent owned it before - i know mines a good motor - so if the head went i would get another head - but if the last owner has driven it for miles while it was hot the oil would be too thin to work and will break down and cause a lot of wear on the bottom end - if u get another engine the best way is to get a rotten toyota saloon car with the 2ct engine - camry ect- im always looking round for one so i can knack it and have the engine for stock, but its my hobby - depends on your outlook and your skills and how cheap this townie is - i can reccomend them as a vehicle i have had lots of cars and vans but these are my favs .. jim

- (#5402) J adgo, 3 Sep 02

Well, I've given mine some real abuse over the years, it's been hot enough to crack the head twice. And at 120k miles, the worst it could do was crack a piston( didn't know until the head was off for another reason...) A look at the bottom end while replacing said piston revealed NO appreciable play in the bearings, and what wear there was in the cylinders seemed to be piston rather than bore.
The townie you're considering wasn't on Ebay by any chance?

- (#5403) david miller, 3 Sep 02