FC Azerbaijan Solutions
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Engine & Gearbox Overhaul

Mechanical Restoration for 80s and 90s Legends

Owning a classic supercar in the UK often means dealing with oil leaks on the garage floor and overheating in summer traffic. At FC Azerbaijan, we focus on the mechanical heart of these machines. Our workshop in Bristol handles V8 and V12 engines from an era where electronics were simple but tolerances were tight. Last year alone, we completed 14 full engine rebuilds for clients ranging from casual weekend drivers to serious collectors. We don't just swap parts; we measure every component against original factory blueprints from the 1980s to ensure the fit is correct.

p>Our process starts with a complete tear-down. We document every bolt, shim, and seal. In October 2024, we finished a project on a 1992 V12 where we identified 37 different points of failure in the cooling system alone. We use workshop-grade cleaning tanks to remove decades of carbon buildup before the inspection begins. Honestly, this part of the job is messy and takes about 12 business days just for the cleaning and measuring phase. We use precise measuring tools to check for cylinder wall wear and crankshaft run-out, staying within 0.01mm of the original specifications.

Clean-Room Assembly and Testing

The assembly happens in a dedicated clean-room. This environment prevents dust from entering the oil galleries or scoring the new bearings. We source components through our global parts network, often finding original old-stock items that have been sitting in crates since 1989. When we rebuild a gearbox, we focus on the synchros and selector forks which often feel 'notchy' after 30 years of use. For a recent 5-speed overhaul, we replaced 11 internal components to bring back that crisp, mechanical shift feel. It's not a fast process, but it is built to last.

  • Full engine stripping and ultrasonic cleaning of all internal parts.
  • Replacement of all 67 seals and gaskets using period-correct materials.
  • Gearbox shim adjustment to eliminate 'whine' and improve shifting.
  • Recalibration of mechanical fuel injection systems for modern UK unleaded fuel.
  • Bench testing for 4.67 hours to monitor oil pressure and thermal stability.

Every engine we rebuild spends exactly 4.4 hours on our test bench before it ever meets the car's chassis. We monitor oil pressure at three different temperature points and check for any signs of thermal inefficiency. It's better to find a small drip on the bench than on your driveway. Heads-up: we usually have a 3-week waiting list for major engine work because we only take on 2 these projects at a time to keep the quality high. We won't rush the curing process for gaskets just to meet a deadline.

By the time the engine and gearbox go back into the car, the vehicle feels grounded and predictable. We focus on making these cars usable for a drive down to the coast or through the Cotswolds without the constant fear of a breakdown. Our lead technician, Mark, personally signs off on the final 50-mile road test. If you are noticing blue smoke on startup or a grinding noise in second gear, it is usually time to look at the internals before a small problem becomes a five-figure engine failure.