Dico's project

[Monty]

Called to Dico`s today and seems he`s got the little bits done ready for the engine to go back in tomo`s (Sunday) but looking at these photo`s Sams done all the work

[Dico]

Yep, Sams a big help

Tomorrows the big day!
Will it start first go?
Will it start at all?

[Doug]

Sam's getting big--I remember when he was a tiny squirt!

It probably won't start first go cause you'll need the fuel rail full and pressurized well to get it running--that's just my prediction since you asked . . .

maybe will go on second though

[Paul.P]

Cam-covers looking good Paul, good luck for tomorow !

[Dico]

Tomorrow tomorrow i'll love you tomorrow we're only a day awwwway!

And if all else fails.........

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... %3AIT&rd=1

[Dico]

Its running!
Well chuffed, started up once the fuel pumped through, had the leads the wrong rode round which caused a misfire but soon sorted that out.
Got all gears almost spot on, may need some minor adjustment.
Clutch seems fine and not too aggresive as i feared.
Brakes are pretty cr@p at the moment despite two thorough bleeds with one of them eazi bleed kits from halfords that you attatch to your spare wheel. Several more attempts and i'm sure we will get there.
A couple of cockups long the way but nothing that can't be sorted

Overall i'm WELL pleased. Have'nt tried the Quaife ATB yet because of the brakes issue, but soon i hope

Photos to follow.

Oh, and a BIG thank you to Monty for his time. (it aint quite over yet, wheres that timing gun

[F1 LOTUS]

I don't think you can beat bleeding brakes manually with help from Monty when he brings that timing light over

[John_W]

Dico,
Well done mate. That was a big job. From what I remember of building minis, there's nothing quite like the feeling of the engine actually starting after you've taken it to bits and put it back together again.

Also you've done it in quick time. It must have taken a lot of self-will to go out into a cold shed and get that lot done with the weather as it's been.

The only negative is that I put money on you not getting it done this side of Christmas , and even then only after weeks of postings asking for ideas why it wouldn't start.

Good on yer. Now enjoy driving it in the summer. We look forward to reports on what the work has done to improve the fun of driving the car.


As to the brakes, I got a new caliper put on the Land Rover on Monday and when I picked the car up from the garage the pedal was 'orrible - long throw and squidgy. I complained and arranged to bring it back yesterday for a re-bleed. I don't understand why, but by the time it came to take it back to the garage yesterday, the brakes were fine - back to rock-solid short-travel pedal. Yours may also improve through use.

John

[Dico]

A few pics from the last couple of days -

[Monty]

Bloody hell, thats took u long enough to post those were`s the other pic`s?

[Dico]

Wireless system - DONT do it!

[Dico]

and....

[Paul.P]

So Paul, did the colour on the cam-cover match ?, looks pretty good on the pics !

[Enright]

Yeah, hows about a before and after shot of under the bonnet?

[Dico]

John- Yep, was a great feeling when it fired up. Will give some feedback on any performance feel, hopefully this friday will see a thorough road test.

Paul- Yep, the colours a pretty close match, maybe a touch darker but really looks the part

Neil- I've no digital photos of the stock engine bay, just photo prints. I know its possible to scan them but my feeble brain aint capable
Will post some closer shots once the bonnets back on

Can't wait to test the Quaife ATB

[Costas]

Wahoooo Dico!

Good Job!

Costas

[Matt RI]

Are you sure you are topped off w/ only four pints o'bitter???

Looking great, Dico- the work you, Monty and Sam have been putting in looks to be well worth it...

[Dico]

Weeheeey!!

The Beast has encountered its first roundabout! Felt so good i had to go round again

Spent a good hour and a half bleeding the brakes with Monty this evening. Pedal felt pretty poor, but figured the only way to loosen the system up would be to go for a drive.
All four wheels back on and off Dico goes, rather timidly at first until he realizes he HAS actualy got brakes and the brake pedal had been kidding him
A quick (and i mean quick ) blast round the block confirmed the brakes were pretty much sorted, maybe another bleed after a couple of hundred miles or so.
Luckily this 'block' includes a large roundabout so the ATB lost its virginity.
Very perculiar/positive feeling. I was a bit hesitant really but gave it as much as i dared in second gear. It seemed to stick really well and felt as though it could handle a lot more.
I need to take it a bit more slowly really to begin with...... its just i've no willpower
The boost is working fine though, had to check that
Hoping to nip out tomorrow morning 'to fill up with petrol love' and give the beast a good thrashing before taking the mrs out for her birthday.

Next job - Monty's Quaife installed gearbox to be fitted next weekend. The wifes going to divorce me at this rate

[Monty]

Next job - Monty's Quaife installed gearbox to be fitted next weekend. The wifes going to divorce me at this rate

LOL who cares hehehe

Good to see the beast back on the road, now u can get using that road tax and insurance

Paul, since we`ve removed that plastic BBR (which we recon it does FA) which was in the hose going from the turbo and bypassed the BSV, should we put the hoses back to stock and see what boost u get with the stiffy?

[Dico]

If it floats your boat cock

Need to temporary bodge the front pipe (again!) with gum gum until i get the 2 1/2 inch drainpipe fitted first though.