PRV Engine conversion...mine all mine.

[mark@xxxx]

Hello, list.
Currently my 2.8 litre PRV V6 is being transformed to a leaner, 
meaner fighting machine. Yes, it sounds like I'm gloating. I have 
the confidence that John Lane of Pacific Rim Automotive is providing 
me with the best available parts locally and with his extensive 
knowledge of racing a Volvo rally car he knows what needs to be 
done. Plus Pacific Rim Auto is only four miles from where I live.
I can't provide any better technical advice than what many 
people have posted here on the DML. I don't have a mechanical 
background to assist in this project. I am the source of cash. 
Therefore, I may not offer a convincing reason as to why this is 
quite possibly a better engine conversion as opposed to an engine 
replacement.
Yes, I do feel like I went into the conversion lacking enough 
education on my options. I had not looked into prices of other 
engine replacements. Rumors of close to $20,000 for the new Cadillac 
Northstar 300hp V8 engine replacement and $6,995 for a brand new PRV 
200hp normally aspirated V6 means first my car would need to be 
trailered to someone from Seattle, Washington.
Initially, I bought the car knowing the engine needed a cam 
shaft replacement and rocker arm assembly. At 49,800 miles on the 
odometer I believed there shouldn't have been much time and money 
needed for making the proper repairs. Well come to find out when 
opening the leaking valve covers and leaking timing chain cover more 
work had been done on the engine then at first realized. Both 
camshafts looked newer and cleaner than the blackened rocker arms. A 
camshaft lobe was scored due to inadequate lubrication. That was the 
source of the ticking. A friend of mine said he could hear my D 
before he could see it.
Inside the timing chain cover one timing chain is snug and the 
other is loose. Oil pump drive chain and oil pump is noticibly newer 
than the rest of the engine. Circular gouges and scratches on the 
inside of the timing chain cover coincide with failure of the oil 
pump drive chain.
Following John Lane's recomendation the heads were removed and 
would you take a look at that, the tops of the pistons were black 
with carbon. By this time I wanted what ever could be done to get 
the engine in a condition better than it was before it was new. 
Meaning stronger and quicker. The following is what will be done: 
brand new lighter alloy rocker arm assemblies, brand new Volvo larger 
lobe camshafts, ported and polished intake, tossing out PRV block and 
replacing it with a good (used) even firing Eagle Premier 3.0 litre 
V6 and mating that with the PRV crank case cover, PRV water pump, PRV 
Bosch K-Jetronic mechanical fuel injection and loads of other parts.
Today the engine is in pieces. Within the next few weeks it 
will be running again. I have taken pictures of the PRV disassembled 
and have left my camera with John in order to document the assembly.
Will post costs and picures of this whole affair once I get the 
bill.
One last thing. No, three. I also asked John to recharge the 
empty A/C and check for leaks. And to figure out why the heck is the 
fuel pump making noise every time the engine runs. But, of course 
the fuel pump didn't make this noise while test driving the car 
before I bought it. The car still has the original suspension 
components. John says the shocks are worn out. I've thought about 
replacing the front springs with new 1-1/2" lower ones and the shocks 
but with the costs of the work being done to the rest of the car I'm 
putting that off for a while.
Due to the car being so gosh darn unique I think all this work 
making the car better is worth it.

Mark R. Vanyo
VIN #2261
Pacific Northwest DeLorean Club

PS. Scott Mueller thanks for the concern regarding the 6.8 magnitude 
quake to rock the Puget Sound and beyond. The temporary or permanent 
closure of buildings and bridges for quake damage inspection shows 
just how much everyone is affected. Fortunately no one died due to 
falling debris. From what I understand one lady died of a heart 
attack because of the quake. For more pictures and news reports go 
to:
www.king5.com
www.kirotv.com