Story so far series 1 resto

[frankxhv773t]

If you have a compressor you can always blow through the oil ways with the air line after washing.

[lancianut666]

Hmmm...I have been looking at compressors since the nice man in the next unit who makes tricks for magicians donated me a nice set of spray guns. On further investigation the compressors sold by places like Aldi for around £100 are next to useless for bigger jobs like spraying a car and will struggle even to spray large panels before the air tank will need recharging, also the cubic feet per minute for spraying has to be around 14 so again a limitation. To sum up a 150L 3HP belt driven compressor for around £350 will be suitable for wide range of jobs and I will have to start saving up! best to see how much this engine rebuild comes out at first. I was toying with the idea of getting the shell stripped, blasted and etch primed.
Clarkey

[frankxhv773t]

I find a compressor invaluable so you won't regret the investment. Remember for spraying you will need to add filter and moisture trap to the initial investment.

[lancianut666]

The compressor will have to go on the back burner till after my exam marking is over the good news is I have three sets of papers to mark so more pennies to spend/waste on old cars and cameras. Rang my engine man today and he gave the classic response 'we are working on it now will get back to you tomorrow with an update'  I might pop over and surprise him..
Clarkey

[lancianut666]

tried the cutprice way of cleaning the crankcase with some of screwfix's degreaser and a hosepipe..at least you can touch it now without getting filthy.

[lancianut666]

Seems a long time since I rebuilt an engine...it was a 2 litre Vauxhall Victor...seemed a good idea to use a washing up bowl of petrol to clean some parts on the floor in the garage...but me being a fashionista no safety boots just a pair of platform boots with a steel edge on the heels...concrete...steel...how to make your car engine parts sound like a dog...more of a wumph than a woof actually. I noticed my lovely platform boots were on fire so I legged it out of the garage and shut the door. I was still at home so I thought I had better tell Mr Stern aka my Dad..I thought he would go crazy but when I said "I think I have set the garage on fire" he calmly replied "Have you son?" had a quick peek round the garage door and said " I think we had better call the firebrigade" what a star. The Vauxhall parts survived to run another day

[simonandjuliet]

Older and wiser,eh Jim ?

[lancianut666]

Update
I had a chat with the engine man who seems to work on the principle if you don't pester him you go to the back of his queue ...he has checked the crank and tells me it is within wear limits and can remain standard size..he also said it will of developed a hardened skin so will wear very little in future??? new one on me any metallurgists out there?? The original block is worn and probably needs a rebore, the spare block that came with the car is hardly worn so he is going to hone it and let me know next week. The plan forming in my head is to get the engine rebuilt pop it back in the car to test it and then strip the car to do the bodywork and paint. I am averse to having an engine in bits alongside all the parts from the rest of the car bits always wander off!
Clarkey
ps as the head has been skimmed the compression ratio will be higher a rebore might compensate for this that is if the pistons clear the valves!!!

[lancianut666]

update
the engine man will be reboring the block next week now we have got the special tool courtesy of the Appia Consortium. this is a big wedge shaped piece of metal that ensures the boring machine is at the correct angle as it munches it's way into the block. He is also going to check some bearings on the crankshaft
Clarkey

[lancianut666]

not much to report except the marking is finished for another year...been a bit busy keeping an eye on Jim Clarke senior as he has had a stroke and was a quite poorly..good to report the old so and so is getting back to his cantankerous best...scary thing is he wants to get behind the wheel of a car again...what was Ralph Naders book called again?
Clarkey (junior)

[davidwheeler]

Er "Unsafe at Any Speed"?  (but you knew that).

[lancianut666]

Rumour going round my engine bits are ready....down in deepest dark North Yorkshire looking after Jim Clarke Senior who has had a fall and another ride in an ambulance. So it will be later in the week when I can get home. Pic shows my Dad riding in a GEC diesel train near where he lives

[lancianut666]

Look what has turned up

[simonandjuliet]

No stopping you now then ...... I'll expect it to be running when I get there at Christmas - this year !

[lancialulu]

My gawd those bores look horribly close??