Doo · Jul 11, 2017

When I stated George had a new engine and must have around 27k miles on her...

When I was with Hamish getting her codes read (when we found the new MAF was duff) he told me he fitted the new engine 7 years ago, give or take.

So I checked the MoT certificate and Jan 2009 she had 80,490 miles, April 2010 she had 84,324 miles.

When I got her, she was tested with 86,158 miles, which was the mileage when she was parked up for 5 years.

So, my deductions are, the engine (when I initially got the car) may only have had around 5,000 miles on it

The engine itself is good, but the hoses are clearly original... So, with that in mind, my engine now will have around 13,000 miles and therefore barely run in

But seriously, what are the chances of this engine being top hatted and what not as I believe the warranty company sourced it new from LR??

martynv8 · Jul 11, 2017

If it was from LR then very very unlikely to be top hatted, usually an exchange engine (LCF block). My LR exchange engine lasted approx 60k before it dropped a liner so you have a while yet.

myfirstl322 · Jul 11, 2017

Does he?

Maybe last owner did a Ferris Bueller on it?

kg74 · Jul 11, 2017

A great movie, almost Fletch level.

Doo: If you really need to know if it is top hatted, I would take the head off and have a quick peek.

Track down the paperwork or look at the block and see if you can find some markings on it to see if it is an OEM block - maybe see if it has a serial number that can be traced.

Doo · Jul 11, 2017

kg74 said:
A great movie, almost Fletch level.

Doo: If you really need to know if it is top hatted, I would take the head off and have a quick peek.

Track down the paperwork or look at the block and see if you can find some markings on it to see if it is an OEM block - maybe see if it has a serial number that can be traced.

Crumbs, the whole reason I wanted to find if it's top hat is to "prevent" taking the head off

L322,the clock is showing 94k so I know the "car" has done the miles. And Hamish told me it was a new engine under warranty.

Anyway, the reason I brought it up was purely to have an idea how long I might get out of it... It's a smooth engine and a quick starter too.

myfirstl322 · Jul 12, 2017

Was it a 'used' LR warranty that covered the engine replacement?

As has been stated, I think, is that Top Hat modifications are an aftermarket invention/fix, if this is indeed the case and your engine number is traceable to LR database then you have your answer surely, that your engine is not Top Hatted, merely wearing a Bunnet.

jamesmartin · Jul 12, 2017

Doo said:
Crumbs, the whole reason I wanted to find if it's top hat is to "prevent" taking the head off

L322,the clock is showing 94k so I know the "car" has done the miles. And Hamish told me it was a new engine under warranty.

Anyway, the reason I brought it up was purely to have an idea how long I might get out of it... It's a smooth engine and a quick starter too.

all that matters is the cooling system works as it should ie rad gets hot all over,and if your unlucky top hats will fix the block

Grrrrrr · Jul 12, 2017

I thought LR switched to top hats just before the Thor came in? Sure there was something different about the liners.

Doo, don't worry till it happens. That way madness lies!

martynv8 · Jul 12, 2017

Grrrrrr said:
I thought LR switched to top hats just before the Thor came in? Sure there was something different about the liners.

Doo, don't worry till it happens. That way madness lies!

LR never used top hat liners in production. The later LCF blocks have a step at the bottom of the block to prevent the liners dropping which is fine providing the liners are fully pressed in during assembly, which being LR they weren't (i still have my old LCF block in the shed with no 5 liner down by 0.8mm).

Grrrrrr · Jul 12, 2017

martynv8 said:
LR never used top hat liners in production. The later LCF blocks have a step at the bottom of the block to prevent the liners dropping which is fine providing the liners are fully pressed in during assembly, which being LR they weren't (i still have my old LCF block in the shed with no 5 liner down by 0.8mm).

That'll be it. Was there some sort of mark on the block to identify these engines? Or was it by engine serial number?

martynv8 · Jul 13, 2017

Grrrrrr said:
That'll be it. Was there some sort of mark on the block to identify these engines? Or was it by engine serial number?

Not too sure Grrrrrr,
I know LCF blocks were used for LR Genuine Exchange engines later on - usually done under warranty (as was the case with mine). Not sure all LCF blocks had the step but presume they added these when they changed to LCF from the WYF blocks. Mine didnt have the seriel number stamped on the deck as most but just had a metal plate with the serial number stuck to the rocker cover.

johnnyb70 · Jul 13, 2017

Usually top hat blocks have not got the engine number on block face. From when they were faced off. Unfortunately some still have the number to confuse matters! But not many.
Jb

Doo

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Grrrrrr

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