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REPLACEMENT CHOICES

15th March 1986, Page 46
15th March 1986
Page 46
Page 47
Page 46, 15th March 1986 — REPLACEMENT CHOICES
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Keywords : Spark Plug, Hemi Engine

Cracked block? Warped head? Or is your van's engine just worn out? A remanufactured unit is a quick solution offered by Bedford, Ford and Unipart

_EXCHANGE engines for Bedford vans are available exclusively through dealers under the just announced GMX Genuine Exchange Engine scheme.

GMX exchange engines can be obtained for the Astramax van, and the HA, CF and CF2 vans.

General Motors' Service Parts Operation says that these will appeal to operators with high mileages. It says that GMX provides all the benefits of a new engine, such as high resale value, improved performance, longer life, reduced running costs and the latest technical developments, at a third of the cost.

With GMX exchange engines the parts fitted new arc: Bearings, seals and gaskets, pistons, rings and gudgeon pins, initial oil fill, oil filter, external oil hoses, oil pump bypass spring, valve springs, spark plugs, water pump, thermostat, core plugs, water temperature sender unit and oil pressure switch.

GM says that 40 per cent of all components arc replaced with new components, regardless of condition.

All the other components in the engine are cleaned and inspected for signs of wear or damage using ultra sound and x-ray. Components such as cylinder blocks and cylinder heads arc reconditioned using a number of processes, including three chemical washes, shot blasting and machining to perfect sealing surfaces.

Any component failing to meet the standards set is replaced and the remanufactured engine will incorporate any improvements made since the original was built.

"Once remanufactured." says GM, "each GM X engine undergoes running tests: they are run under their own power on a 298kW (400hp) dynamometer to ensure that they meet the power, performance and smoke emission specifications of a new Bedford engine."

The GMX scheme comprises 32 engine units for the complete range of 220, 330 and SIX) phase 1 and 2 Bedfords. They are provided in a distinctive blue finish.

FORD offers a lifetime guarantet most mcchancial parts for a sea failure after the 12 months warranty period or optional second o third year warranty has finished. Thi; excludes normal service items such as plugs and points.

In addition, the company runs wha calls its Ford Exchange Plan through dealers.

There is a small variation in parts which are replaced by new ones, but generally they include: pistons and rim water pump, bearing liners, camshaft oil pump, can followers, bearings, co rod bearing bolts, gaskets and seals, spark plugs, oil filter, and shims.

The camshaft is reground and the block rebored.

All high-wear parts arc discarded at replaced by Ford original equipment quality parts.

Carbon deposits are bead blasted al, and the head is inspected for distortio and minute cracks. Engines are test-154 tested.

Powerful chemical washes are used all potential reusable parts.

On replacement engines for Escort vans a 12 months, 19,200km (12.000 miles) warranty is provided. For Transits the warranty is 12 months, 38.400km (24,000 miles).

Dealers may make a surcharge for damaged parts, but a selection of pric4 of exchange engines is shown in the table: Additionally, Ford Truck specialist dealers and most of the company's 801 retail dealerships in the Ford network offer "lifetime guarantees" on most repairs using Ford or Motorcraft van parts.

The exceptions include parts regardo as routine replacements (fan belts, wir blades, exhausts, etc); maintenance pai (such as spark plugs, points, lubricant! and filters); friction materials (brake linings and clutch facings); repairs to

■ work, glass and interior soft trim; adjustments such as wheel balancing alignment.

a additional benefit for owners who out extra cover is that any repair ed out under its provisions is matically issued with a lifetime antee which remains valid until :le expiry — even if the van is sold.

JNIPART claims to be the leading firsts in the replacement parts business and has two 'dards — gold and silver seal.

,esides rcmanufactured engines, rboxes and cylinder heads for ght-RoYer. Austin-Morris tmercial vehicles and Land Rovers, ipart supplies them for several makes 'ar, Ford Transits, Vauxhall tvanne and Viva vans.

very unit is sold with a brochure ng details of its pedigree, warranty instructions for fitting and care. That's the difference between the two 'dards, since Unipart says that "the em seal unit receives exactly the same Daration'?

Jnipart explains: "The answer is .pie. Silver Seal has been tailored to market. It has been designed to make best possible use of worn nponents and reduce the cost of or unit replacement.

'Vauxhall, Ford and Talbot owners buy engines without the slave illaries such as water pump, rmostat and thermostat housing." same applies to Austin-Morris 'ides over live years old. However, .er seal is produced on the same ,duction lines as gold seal.

'hat the company calls the golden 2s of remanufacture can be

nonstrated by taking the Metro as an mple: Engine pistons, rings, rings, shims, fastenings, gaskets, Is, oil and water pumps, valve des, filters, plugs, and thermostats all replaced. Every gear in the .rbox is replaced regardless of wear. Ul cylinder heads are checked and :ed for compression. Crankshafts and ashafts are measured, reprofiled or round to the same tolerances as a v engine, and balanced precisely. k golden seal unit will include only those components which arc new or which have passed the test of time, says Unipart, and adds: "The rcmanufacturing process is still not over. Each component is steam cleaned, then cleaned again. They are inspected for hairline fractures, using an ultraviolet beam, and valve sets are Solex gauged for accuracy."

At the end of the production line, every gold and silver seal engine is run for 30 minutes while oil pressure and power output are monitored. Noise is checked with a stethoscope.

The gearbox is placed on an acoustic rig. By applying a load, driving• conditions are simulated and noise levels under drive and overrun conditions checked.

The surcharge is refundable upon the return of the worn unit.

Tags

People: Unipart
Locations: Austin

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