For the love of a tractor engine: The life and times of the 18R-G

[leso]

Hi guys, what brand/company would you suggest for forged pistons and other performance parts for an 18rgeu/18rgu? Any help/suggestionr/personal opinion
is appreciated.

pm Ren_RG28...he the man...

[sillycar chick]

LTJET:

Two I can think of off the top of my head:

Stewart Wilkins Motorsport (<-- click for link)

Toyhead Auto (US) (<-- click for link) (As Ren_RG28 quoted earlier)

[LTJET]

Thanks guys. I just bought the gaskets and all timing gear from Stewart Wilkins and am now looking into buying parts from toyhead auto. Anyone had any dealings with them on this forum?

[tricky]

Toyhead is pretty good to deal with. Rick gets a bit busy, so it sometimes pays to chase up e-mails, but I got everything I ordered from him, and the prices were much better than what I would have paid locally. The pistons look the rizzle dizzle, and they are what I intend on using when I extract a digit. With the exchange rates looking the way they are now, why wouldn't you get the gear from OS?

I'd love one of his flywheels too. I'm sceptical about the kameari cam gears though. I'm pretty certain that they don't have a locator...

Maybe I'll get my car back on the road before I start daydreaming again

[ra_28]

T
I'm sceptical about the kameari cam gears though. I'm pretty certain that they don't have a locator...

Go to page 53 I've pt up some photos of these gears and they do have locating dowel
.

Cheers
Alex

[Steve M]

I got my custom pistons (Arias) when the dollar was buying about 75c and they cost me about $800AU. That includes really heady duty tool steel pins and stuff. No rings though.
I think the offer I got was for $550US for custom 18RG pistons not including freight, then I added bits and price for a heavier application. My order was to suit oversize valves and lift, 10.5:1 CR and 350hp with turbo.

Atomic Speedware - Nick Arias III was the guy I dealt with he was great.

[LTJET]

Yeah im looking overseas as the dollar is fantastic to buy stuff from the US and i've found alot more stuff for 18RG's available over there.
Thanks for the help guys.

[The Witzl]

Specialised Piston Services - thats where JMR got my custom forged pistons made.

Was a good price, because it included the rings

[airfireman1]

I am sure this has come up before and someone had a similar problem. I am sure it is just the top chain that is at fault anyway.
The new top timing chain is too tight!. I have fitted a complete new rollmaster bottom timing kit and have fitted a brand new tensioner and slipper to the top set. The only problem I can see is the top chain is way too tight to be able to refit the top sprockets.
It is a generic brand top chain with a split link. I did check it against the old chain and it was about 1/2 a link shorter and I put that down to the old chain being stretched.
Has anyone got apart number for the top chain in a generic form so I can cross check the numbers?

[airfireman1]

has the part number 3DR98-2, meaning 98 links and double row I would imagine.
Just found the reference. I have checked the part number against mine and it a 98##
So that seems right and it has not dropped a tooth on the bottom sprocket as I have checked that.
Most curious.

[RAd28]

Yeah im looking overseas as the dollar is fantastic to buy stuff from the US and i've found alot more stuff for 18RG's available over there.
Thanks for the help guys.

speaking of parts from the states, anyone able to access the toysport website? wanna find prices for some RG stuff, but they don't like to reply to e-mails

what about other RG performance sites... toyheadauto is the only other one i know of...

[The Witzl]

firema - rather than just physically compare the two chains, how about you actually count the links.

If the new chain is shorter, go and grab a new one.
Holden 253 chain is apparently the right one to grab

[airfireman1]

Looks like I have found the problem, I think I have dropped a link on the dummy shaft sprocket. I have not bolted the head down as I wanted to dummy fit most stuff before the final assembly. Just as well. So I will remove the head so as not to damage the valves and rotate the motor until the link is past the sprocket then reset the timing again.

[The Witzl]

glad to hear you found that before assembling the engine completely!

[airfireman1]

Yep that was the problem. i could not wind the dropped link thru however, so off with the timing cover again. 1 new cover gasket and this time very carefully putting the cover and head back on and its all good. Final assembly of the peripherals will be this weekend as I am not going to rush anything. Thanks for all the suggestions