I don't want to spend a lot of money, but I don't want to spend a lot of time with my mechanic too !!!
I replaced the rings on the pistons before a couple of years ago so I guess fitting rings again won't be the perfect solution....
"Crushers"What will it cost me if you decided to sell the 3F ? Just to see if I have another option....
"BigBrownDog"I can't inspect the pistons as Crushers says if I only took the upper part apart, so I'll have to take the oil pan apart as well ?
Hmm very lazy to re-bore the engine...but it seems no choice
This information is coming slowly which makes it hard to advise. What I meant by inspecting the bore for lip etc will give a fair indication of the condition of the rings and pistons. If new rings were fitted approximately 2 years ago They should still be ok unless
1.. the engine had done a big mileage in that time or run with out an aircleaner..
2 The job was not done properly.
3 The engine has been over heated and the rings have lost their tension.
4 Has been driven with low oil capacity or run out of oil.
Were the bearings replaced when the new rings were fitted?
If the rings were in poor condition, cracked or had lost tension.
You would have noticed an increase in oil use with some blowback of oil into the air cleaner and the exhaust blowing blue smoke. The bore would have a sharp lip on top and would look heavily glazed. Having a burnt,stuck or non seating valve can cause loss of power,a miss in the motor and oil being forced back to the aircleaner also the exhaust will have a definite unburnt petrol smell with an audible miss. Also when the head is off you will be able to feel the play between the piston and cylinder wall just before any piston is at TDC. In all anyone with some experience will be able to gauge what repairs are needed with the head off. If this seems ineffective to you the simple answer is to completely strip the motor.
I have not read every post but have you indicated if your mechanic thinks you have a cracked head, blown headgasket,burnt out valves or other? Are you sure the motor has not developed a miss from a warped manifold from the engine running too lean and maybe burnt out a valve?