Engine rebuild project following blown piston

[paulwatkins]

Let's have some pics of your nice shiny head for Stef!

I'll give it a really good polish this weekend and post some pics!!

Now the jigsaw begins...don't leave it too long or you'll forget where all the bits go and get left with a jam jar full of "spares"!

Dave, I hope you remember how everything goes back!
Seriously though Neil, we were very methodical - everything has been kept in sets and placed in labelled envelopes as they were removed.

As soon as I receive the seals from kmckmc (which should be early next week) I (we including Dave ) can start putting the valves back in and the rebuild start in ernest.

[GeoffSmith]

ernest.

That's a bloody funny name for a car!

[paulwatkins]

Ernest is banana-car!



Or is it Ernie is banana-man?

[GeoffSmith]

Ernest is banana-car!

gray as well! See here.

[GeoffSmith]

Thinking about it, Ernie's milkfloat is faster than Ernest at the minute (if you don't understand, ask crumbly Dave)

[paulwatkins]

You're right Geoff, I'm not old enough to know about Ernie who drove the fastest milk float in the west! doh! I've been busted!

message to moderators - is it possible to ban certain people from a thread for hi-jacking with off-topic comments?

[GeoffSmith]

message to moderators - is it possible to ban certain people from a thread for hi-jacking with off-topic comments?

[paulwatkins]

[Sy V]

...message to moderators - is it possible to ban certain people from a thread for hi-jacking with off-topic comments?

Bottom line is - yes.

But why should you be different - he does it to everyone else's threads.

[paulwatkins]

Pics of cylinder head following re-seating work and quick clean-up.

[paulwatkins]

All the parts that I was waiting for have arrived this morning!

Also, just picked up the cam-cover from the body-shop - Now it's Banana Cam-cover!

[Enright]

That looks like excellent work Paul - you've got the foundation of a great job coming along there.

The only thing I would question would be whether you would have been better off sticking a wire brush attachment to a drill down the exhaust ports before grinding-in the valves. It's still not too late to do it, just be careful that you don't catch the newly ground valve seats and bog-up your (OK Dapinky's!) previous work.

On the same subject, did you spin up each valve (especially the exhaust ones) in a drill to remove the excess carbon deposits?

Oh and I nearly forgot: BANANA cam cover?!?

The finished result will be a site to behold - I'll reserve judgement on that one til I see it! You're not doing yellow Samco's too are you? Should make it EXTREMELY easy to see any leaks!

[paulwatkins]

The only thing I would question would be whether you would have been better off sticking a wire brush attachment to a drill down the exhaust ports before grinding-in the valves. It's still not too late to do it, just be careful that you don't catch the newly ground valve seats and bog-up your (OK Dapinky's!) previous work.

Thanks for the suggestion Neil. Job just done! Used the wire brush attachment on my drill via the manifold end, then used a dremel to carefully do inside the valve area being careful not to touch the newly ground seating. Then used a compressor to blow the area clean. Also did the same to the exhaust manifold - well, the best I could.

On the same subject, did you spin up each valve (especially the exhaust ones) in a drill to remove the excess carbon deposits?

Again, thanks for the suggestion, I will do this.

BANANA cam cover?!?

Just for you Neil, here is a pic of how the cam will sit within the engine bay when the re-build is complete. I know its not an exact colour match, but I think it's looks pretty good and should be fine when everything is complete. What do you think guys?

[GeoffSmith]

You should be very pleased with your work Paul. The silver of the block looks really good. Are you going to have Ernie ready for Donny?

Geoff

[paulwatkins]

That is the plan Geoff. I want to be part of the mass convoy!

I need to start making some progress - I want Ernie to be run-in in time for Donny.

[Enright]

It's looking spanking under there! I think you're right - the shade's a bit off, but with the rest of the stuff re-connected you should be OK.

While you've got the turbo and heat-shields off and accessible, I'd get buffing if I were you!

Oh and I couldn't agree more with Geoff - the silver is spectacular.

Now, isn't it about time you changed your avatar to something a little more appropriate? I have found a few samples of some which might tickle your fancy...

[paulwatkins]

LOL, thanks for the avatar suggestions Neil!

The heat shields and turbo will definately be buffed up prior to refitting. I'm not sure how well the sheilds will come up though - they were a little bit ropey - I'll have to see how it turns out.

[Doc Fizzix]

For those who know, should you re-torque the head bolts at 500 miles after a rebuild? I am sure this info will be helpful to all but I do not see anything in the manual.

[paulwatkins]

Doc, I've had a quick scan through the maintenance manuals, and I can't see anything in them either.

But, seeing as it is a pretty straight forward job to do, it wouldn't harm to check them at say 500 miles like you suggest.

Is it something you will do Doc?

[Doc Fizzix]

Doc, I've had a quick scan through the maintenance manuals, and I can't see anything in them either.

But, seeing as it is a pretty straight forward job to do, it wouldn't harm to check them at say 500 miles like you suggest.

Is it something you will do Doc?

I am at that point and I just do not like the idea of pulling the valve cover and then cracking the head bolts loose. In years past with the cars I worked on you almost had to and the manuals told you to do it but before I do it on my new Elan motor I would like some input.

I will be spending this coming weekend goinng through the whole motor and double checking everything now that I have 500 miles on her