although at first the spark plug lift seems crazy, how much pressure does a spark plug hold back under detonation. assuming an inch sq or so for each plug, then each one is holding 150 PSI when lifting?
I'm curious if that was part of it. They were generous with the anti seize and other lubes so some could be that and bearing wear in material from the break in
Part of the reason why the block flexes so much is those floating cylinders however you can fix that while you have an apart and do what the Honda guys do and get a deck girdle made
Alfa Romeo used a similar system with individual cylinder sleeves in their twin cam engines from the 1950s to the 1990s. From my understanding, some of the racing engines used a few tricks, such as the GTAm using a mono sleeve. I'm not sure what the Alfa 75 Turbo Group A cars used, but some people have been working with a closed deck design.
Just found your site, Cosworth Vega always interested me. Looks like standard Cosworth DFV head. I remember that the problem with this engine was the cylinder walls. Are you going to put sleeves in? Or have you already?
The pistons were a special order from Ross pistons that the previous owner had ordered years ago. The carbs and intake were also part of the engine when I purchased it. For gaskets and such you can buy them from the Cosworth Vega Owners Association online.
Cosworth divorced themselves from that engine. They never liked having to use the Vega's block and always had trouble making it last in racing applications.
Yeah, I can understand that given their reputation. Hopefully with what has been done and will be done to the engine I can make it last for a bit after the rebuild
@@MrSFSTUDIOS while I do understand the newer 4 cylinder cars are more reliable and make tons of power I don't care about having 300hp with boost. This engine, although it's problematic is a rare historical one that makes for a fun conversation piece.
@@oddfathersgarage3132 Absolutely! You should probably join the Cosworth Vega owner's association as they have newsletters and members well-versed on the little engine.
@@oddfathersgarage3132 Street version did not have the reliability issues of the racing engine. The racing engine had 12:1 compression and *at times* was known to split the block below the piston line (at like 10,000 RPM). Some racing blocks actually never had the issue. Chevy could not figure out why this happened to some of those blocks, therefore, Cosworth had no interest in racing them further. The 8.5:1 street version (same block otherwise), was *very* solid. These engines rev like few others. Pair of 45DCOEs and removal of the catalytic converter will get this engine to about 160-170HP with no other mods. Give it 10:1 compression, slightly longer duration cam and 210+ is easy on this motor...
@@MrSFSTUDIOS As I recall. the displacement on the stock 140 cu in engine was reduced to 122cu in to enable the Cosworth Vega to compete in a racing class restricted to 2.0.
Do you know about the Cosworth DFV? The engine that holds the most Formula 1 wins in history. And the BDA and BDG engines and a bunch of other very successful engines come out of the UK from Cosworth. They have done much much more than the Vega 2.0.
That spark plug hoist is fine.
Think of how much pressure is pushing the spark plug out at WOT.
Yeah, still didn't like it so it went in the trash lol
Wooo can't wait till the next one ! These videos are therapeutic 😁
although at first the spark plug lift seems crazy, how much pressure does a spark plug hold back under detonation. assuming an inch sq or so for each plug, then each one is holding 150 PSI when lifting?
Maybe the oil down in the pan was mixed with various assembly lubes and it just didn't get enough miles to make it to the first oil change?
I'm curious if that was part of it. They were generous with the anti seize and other lubes so some could be that and bearing wear in material from the break in
Some owners replaced the fuel injection with Weber carbs. One plus to converting to carbs is the fuel injection was controlled by a computer.
Part of the reason why the block flexes so much is those floating cylinders however you can fix that while you have an apart and do what the Honda guys do and get a deck girdle made
Alfa Romeo used a similar system with individual cylinder sleeves in their twin cam engines from the 1950s to the 1990s. From my understanding, some of the racing engines used a few tricks, such as the GTAm using a mono sleeve. I'm not sure what the Alfa 75 Turbo Group A cars used, but some people have been working with a closed deck design.
Odds are what happens if he had it stored in an area that had moisture build up due to temperature swings and the cylinder head the valves open
Just found your site, Cosworth Vega always interested me. Looks like standard Cosworth DFV head. I remember that the problem with this engine was the cylinder walls. Are you going to put sleeves in? Or have you already?
This cosworth has been steel sleeved so the main weak point in the engine has been fixed.
Where did you buy your pistons and other parts?
The pistons were a special order from Ross pistons that the previous owner had ordered years ago. The carbs and intake were also part of the engine when I purchased it. For gaskets and such you can buy them from the Cosworth Vega Owners Association online.
@@oddfathersgarage3132 thanks!
Does it have sleeves?
Yes, this block was steel sleeved
It had alum8num cylinders from factory
Yes, from the factory it had aluminum cylinders. Not ideal but luckily this one was steel sleeved
Cosworth divorced themselves from that engine. They never liked having to use the Vega's block and always had trouble making it last in racing applications.
Yeah, I can understand that given their reputation. Hopefully with what has been done and will be done to the engine I can make it last for a bit after the rebuild
A modern Camaro's four-banger with a turbo would make more power and be more reliable.
@@MrSFSTUDIOS while I do understand the newer 4 cylinder cars are more reliable and make tons of power I don't care about having 300hp with boost. This engine, although it's problematic is a rare historical one that makes for a fun conversation piece.
@@oddfathersgarage3132 Absolutely! You should probably join the Cosworth Vega owner's association as they have newsletters and members well-versed on the little engine.
@@oddfathersgarage3132 Street version did not have the reliability issues of the racing engine. The racing engine had 12:1 compression and *at times* was known to split the block below the piston line (at like 10,000 RPM). Some racing blocks actually never had the issue. Chevy could not figure out why this happened to some of those blocks, therefore, Cosworth had no interest in racing them further. The 8.5:1 street version (same block otherwise), was *very* solid. These engines rev like few others. Pair of 45DCOEs and removal of the catalytic converter will get this engine to about 160-170HP with no other mods. Give it 10:1 compression, slightly longer duration cam and 210+ is easy on this motor...
While you have this apart you should measure the bore Center and see if that Cosworth head will fit the Chevette engine LOL
It won't. Only a Vega engine. I'm not even sure if it will fit those as the Cosworth had a smaller bore. (2.0 engine vs the regular Vega's 2.3 liter).
@@MrSFSTUDIOS As I recall. the displacement on the stock 140 cu in engine was reduced to 122cu in to enable the Cosworth Vega to compete in a racing class restricted to 2.0.
@@JoeJ94611 Yes that is correct.
Keep the rusty box hahahaha
it's a nice beverage holder for sure
All Cosworth did and only made what the stock 2.0 pinto did 3 yrs before.
Do you know about the Cosworth DFV? The engine that holds the most Formula 1 wins in history. And the BDA and BDG engines and a bunch of other very successful engines come out of the UK from Cosworth.
They have done much much more than the Vega 2.0.
This engine was hit with emission restrictions limiting it to 8.5:1 compression. That’s the only thing stopping it