My Tickford Turbo

[820 Turbo]

Thought it was about time I posted some info and pics of my white tickford fastback.

I bought the car in November 2004 from the second owner in Tunbridge Wells, he had owned the car since 1994
The car was first registered in march 1992 with the owners being Rover Group, Longbridge it went to British Aerospace Military Aircraft Division in preston.

I got it with approx. 62k on the clock and it had one of those horrible rover 400 grilles fitted to it.

Currently it is off the road because the turbo blew its seals at 80,000 miles and I've decided to rebuild the engine - provided it can find all the parts.
I bought a pair of genuine rover body styling bumpers which I intend to fit once repainted, I also need to do a bit of bodywork as there is some rust coming through on doors, right front wing and the sunroof surround.

Here are a couple of pics with new front bumper - note only 1 fog lamp -I'm going to fit some RING Roadrunner lamps and paint surrounds white as I cant find any other lamps that fit




Engine and box out, engine bay not looking too bad but subframe has 2 holes in bottom so may have to rob from spare vitesse






Wear to big end bearings



pistons and big end bearings - note 3rd piston has some nicks in top, looks like something has got in there at somepoint

[820 Turbo]

Some pics of how the car looked when I bought it in 2004, unfortunately it looked better then than now (apart from the grill)

[vito]

Looks sweet Chris, look forward to seeing it in the flesh when you've rebuilt it, was good to see you and your Dad at Hull at weekend.

[rovercoup]

Nice to see a rare Tickford and looks so much better with the MK1 grill. are they the standard 800 fog lamps? if so I may have a spare I could let you have.

[Bert3]

Keep at it - be nice to see this back up and running.

That's why they call the white metal on the bearings 'sacrificial' ..... I'm guessing the crank itself is fine. As for the pistons; I've cleaned/polished/re-used pistons with a lot more damage than No.3 has. IIRC they are stronger than later type and can easily cope with the boost needed to get a healthy 300bhp engine - well worth keeping. Standard gearbox internals will struggle at that output though so worth the extra time beefing up the diff bearings if nothing else.

[TDHFastback]

That is really nice Chris. Can't wait to see it running.
A rare white Tickford fastback. A crowd puller for any show.

I love it

Kate

[820 Turbo]

The Ring roadrunner is the only lamp I can find that fits - the standard 800 ones are the wrong shape, when looking at the original brochure they appear to be cibbie but I cant find any lamps old or new that actually fit properly.

I haven't checked the crank yet, need to get some micrometers but I'm hoping all will be ok. Been struggling on sources of parts for the engine - got most part numbers from rimmers but they don't do most things anymore.
I'm currently trying to sort out piston rings - so far I seem to be able to get correct top and bottom ring but not middle.
Also the exhaust valves are no longer made - I found a company that have 2 left and there is accompany that do some but they aren't sodium filled.

Gearbox wise I currently has an 820i box in as original had a noisy bearing but was thinking of getting torsen equipped box from vitesse I am scrapping and having caged bearings fitted but may be expensive and don't know if possible to do myself

Chris

[Bert3]

Caged bearings (good explorer ones) are only £16 a pair inc P&P from Bolton Bearings. I'd change the driveshaft seals at the same time for the additional £12 a set they cost - just check you get the right type to suit your driveshafts. The hardest part about changing the bearings is getting the gearbox off the car - although the circlip in the casing can be a fiddly little ****

Add a couple of pounds for sealant and the 'box will probably outlast the car.

Have you tried asking over on the Rovertech forum about rings & valves? Someone on there will have snaffled up the orignal stock, or at least found an alternative, especially for piston rings .... I'd be very surprised if standard Nasp middle rings wouldn't be up to the job if the bore's the same.

[Richard Moss]

Seconded - Rovertech is good for that sort of thing. Other than the sodium filling, the valves are the same as NASP M series.

[820 Turbo]

Have posted on rovertech, will have to wait and see what I get back.

I didn't realise bearings were that cheap - do you have contact info for Bolton Bearings?

Cheers,

Chris

[Richard Moss]

I bought steel caged bearings on ebay for about £8- 10 each you may find them there. You'll find the bearing type on Rovertech, I'm sure - but I'm fairly certain that it's 6208 and they are available here for just over a fiver each: http://www.bearingshopuk.co.uk/6208-273 ... tAod6HUA8g If the bearings come with seals or shields fitted, take them off because the bearings are inside the box and need oil to flow to them.

As said before, budget also for new driveshaft seals for the diff (under £15 each) plus sealant and oil and the whole lot will probably be under £80

[beef]

hello there that's a nice tickford you have there im seeing if you can help me with my tickford project im working on iv got a complet tickford engine and fuleing setup fitted in a 220 gti now and im just trying to work out one relay on the engine loom its all we need to get running I did post on your post on rovertech saying I do have a spear low miles complet engine I might part with

kev

[BlueRover]

Hi beef, where on the loom is the relay ? I did say I had a look but wasn't sure of the location.
I can have a good looksee on Sat if you need me to by tracing all engine looms and relays.

[BlueRover]

The car was first registered in march 1992 with the owners being Rover Group, Longbridge it went to British Aerospace Military Aircraft Division in preston.

My 820i special was also a Preston car. It still has the original SWAIN dealer number plate on the rear.

[hotfuzz87]

Tickford Fastbacks will always be my fav out of all the 800s. Can't wait to see this one done up!!