Been plodding on with the rest, had some challenging months this to now, but the car is slowly moving on! I started stripping the engine ready for the rebuild!
The casings are bloody sharp!
The to start the big clean! The plan is to clean and powder coat the block. I bought a brilliant powder coating kit from the classic car show! it works a treat!
Cleaned the head with petrol and ultrasonic cleaner!
I sent the head off to be pressure tested and to have the valves seated.
Then back to the block!
I pulled it out of its hot caustic bath after 3 days! most of the curse word has dissapeared or turned to mush by now, So I got the jet wash on it!
The I got it dry by baking it in the oven for an hour, this also helps any other nasty bits to escape!
Then I masked it up ready for the powder coat zinc primer!
My neighbour was having their kitchen done and were throwing this oven out! I rescued it and repurposed it into a powder coat oven! The block fits in theres snugly!
I really like the colour of the primer!! But after a cool down, its on with the black gloss powder!
I gave the crankshaft a check over and a clean!
Then gave the inlet manifold a clean
The I got the block back on to the engine stand, ready for the rebuild!
New engine bits turned up! so got on with the build!
Crankshaft back in!
Sump cleaned up and powder coated!
However, as I put it back together, I noticed this!
So removed it, welded the hole up and re-powder coated it!
Good as new!
and then got the sump back on!
I connected the battery to check the internal electrics as I have rewired everything!
All good! I manage to find some proper rivets for the block ID plate! min order 100, I need 2!! the joys of restoring cars!
Next to give the intercooler a clean up! Internal first. I filled it with petrol and gave it a good switch about, I did this a few times until the petrol washed out clean! Then on to the external!
I got the head back from the engineering shop! and began to put it back together!
Then put the door mechanisms in!
and back to the engine rebuild, had a bit of down time so loosely put the engine back together to keep the curse word out of it!
I spent a bit of time and put the body panels back on, mainly as I think that will be the safest place for them!
Then got the interior in!
Back to the engine rebuild, more parts turned up!
I got on with cleaning and honing the cylinders as they are in pretty good nick!
Cleaned up the pistons and got the new rings on them!
I got back on to the gearbox, had a nightmare with this, but after a few months of battling with it, I think I finally have it working!
I sent the turbo to Midland Turbo, I cannot recommend these guys enough!
Then on with the flywheel and new clutch!
and then reunited the gearbox and engine after a 3 year separation!
I sent my carb to Mark Branston (check him out on FB) he is the master of these carbs! mine was no different!
I then started fitting other ancillary bits ready for getting the engine back into the car!
Now for getting the engine back in!!
A bit of damage as I wrestled with it on my own! but a bit of touch up will do the trick!
Looks like the springs I bought for the front weren't GTT springs after all - lying fu***rs!!
Whilst sorting through some boxes, I found the replacement parts I was looking for 6 months ago!
VHT paint on the downpipe after a good clean!
I fitted the remaining bits to the turbo!
I then fitted the turbo to the car!
Had to make some repairs to some of the engine loom as it looks like someone has had a hack at it!
Thats better!
Had to jack the car up to connect the gear linkage, fuel pipes to the pressure regulator and remove the front suspension as this springs have to be changed!
Thats it for this one! Thanks for reading guys!
