Damaged RB30 Block Repairs

[Steve85]

Damaged RB30 Block Repairs

Hi all,

I'm helping a friend rebuild a VL Calais. Long story short we bought the car for $2500 as a bunch of pieces and a rolling shell. Most of the car was there and we have managed to put it all back together. I should add that we are by no means mechanics, so please excuse my ignorance where it may appear.

We have managed to start the car and it does move under its own power after several months of rebuilding it, however, one of the exhaust manifold studs was bent and had been poorly re-tapped. Initially we believed this would not be an issue, however, it leaks radiator coolant from the re-tapped stud area (we just left the exhaust off the car for initial tests). 

We have since learned that this cannot be repaired quite as simply as we had hoped and the block may need serious work to be any use to us. I believe that there may be coolant leaking into cylinder six. There is no water in the oil (we've checked twice). Obviously this is an issue and we are in the process of stripping and pulling the engine out for reconditioning. The coolant absolutely pours out of the exhaust port of cylinder six when the engine is running. I'd suggest it could empty the coolant from the car within 15 minutes if left to run. 

My query here is, in the event that we pull the engine for re-condition and cylinder six is in good condition, is it going to be possible to repair the block of the engine?

We could simply have someone re-work the block and re-tap the stud, but does anyone know the effect that might have on the water path through the block? I'm concerned that if we attempt a repair we will re-direct the coolant path into the cylinder itself or some other area where we don't want coolant.

Can anyone offer their opinions on this matter or does anyone have experience with this type of problem? (Pictures to follow).

[Steve85]

[Duncan]

well the good news is that the exhaust ports and their studs go into the head, not the block.....which means you probably have a perfectly good (and valuable) rb30 block.

the single cam rb30 head is probably worth about $3 including postage so you may be able to just swap it for another if you are trying to get it going cheaply.

 

[niZmO_Man]

I'll sell you my RB30E for $2k comes with a GTS1 cam haha

[Steve85]

Awww yes! Thanks for your replies gents, it's for my mate, he doesnt have GTR repair cash lying around, so yep, cheaply it is.

[niZmO_Man]

Back in the days, you could've bought a running RB30E (R31, not VL) for $300-500 lol

[Steve85]

Haha, I believe that those days are looong gone.

[Steve85]

This is my first go at an engine in over 10 years. A lot of my knowledge has escaped. Still it's good fun, so that's something!