Old man's gonna go racing

[stanc3w0rks]

Oh cool. Hope it works for you

[Dodging]

Been busy with lots of wiring and dash assembly. Coming along slowly

Two of the big things are:

Battery relocated



Centre console remodelled



Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

[Dodging]

Also stripped the sub assembly yesterday and dropped it all off at the engineering works. Noticed the one piston had a busted ring gland. It seems it was a badly casted piston though, as the marks on the broken section looked odd... This will explain the nasty little missfire I had when going over 6000rpm. Other than that there were no indications that there was anything wrong with the motor

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk


Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

[Dodging]

Worked a bit on the car tonight...

This afternoon I picked up a used steering column from a scrappy. Rhe previous owner of my Corsa managed to stuff the original one up properly when he installed an aftermarket steering wheel... Chop...

Anyways, installed the new one once I got home - feels much better now. Then continued with the dash assembly. It is pretty much done, except for the wiring of the centre console which I'll tackle once the engine is in. Wanted to install the new steering wheel too, but decided I'll rather leave that to do at the same time as the seats - don't want to get it dirty or damaged.

I may get the block and pistons back from the engineering shop tomorrow. Will then start with assembling the motor. Still undecided on which head I am going to use - my sensible side tells me to stick to the 1600 head as I know it won't ping so easily and be completely reliable, but the kid in me is screaming to fit the 1300 head again. Incredible how that motor revved up... And the torque it delivered was just mindblowing for a 1600 8v. I dunno, maybe I should just call Ross and hear what he thinks.

Some pics





Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

[Dodging]

Got a bit done tonight. Fitted the brake master cylinder, but it was not such a great success... As I put the one line back, I managed to cross-thread the fitting at the tip... Not happy with myself for it. Will set about trying to fix it tomorrow morning before I go to graft. Also fitted the wiper mechanism, the relay box (suppose I could've just cut it all out seeing as there are no relays in it, but re-fitting it is actually less effort).

Going to be a while before I can actually work on it again - got folks visiting tomorrow, and they may find it rude if I work on the car at that time lol. Laaitie's birthday Thursday, stocktake on the weekend... Maaaybe I can work on it on Sunday again. If that's the case I really want to try get the engine built, bolted to the gearbox and get it in the car - if that happens and with a bit of luck I can maybe start it up next week

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

[Dodging]

Got the brake line sorted this morning

I actually had bad dreams about it last night

[Dodging]

So for the first time in what feels like ages I was home on the weekend. Well, at least on on the Sunday.

Decided to build the engine today. Started off with the sub- assembly. All went well there. Basically fitted the new 40thou 1600 pistons, still running the normal 1600 crank and rods. New waterpump, new oil pump, new bearings, all new gaskets and whatnot



Tackled the head next. Took the 1300 head for the task. It is in really good shape still, just needed a good clean.



I think this head was used in a turbo application, so there was quite a bit of carbon build-up in the ports

First attacked it with a wire brush while the valves were still in there



Stripped the valves out



Left the valves to soak in diesel for a bit - makes it much easier to get the carbon off. Anyways, cleaned them up all nice, re-seated the valves, put the new stem-seals in and assembled the head again. Fitted the new thermostat and proceeded with assembling the engine

I sortof forgot about pictures at this stage, but this is where I ended up for the day







I'm just miffed with the fact that there was no cam-box seal in the Elring head set. Don't know if it was supposed to be in there or not - really odd that the cam seal is in there but not this one

So still to do on the engine:
Buy that sodding seal and get it in there
Buy the little rubber elbow that connects the rear breather pipe to the cambox
Get some other tappet cover bolts - I hate those torx bolts
Get normal bolts to replace the cap screws on the vernier pulley - they catch on the cambelt cover


Then I can bolt it to the gearbox, and get that in the car.

Was good progress today, but I am so frustrated at this stage with having to be at work every weekend... Piece of advice - if you are ever offered a position at an Italian company, run...



Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

[Dodging]

Nothing major done tonight - put the fuel rail in place, put the cap on the cambox with the new seal that I had to go buy today. Also put a new rubber pipe on the rear breather. With some luck I might get home early enough tomorrow night to bolt the gearbox to the motor and set about getting it into the engine bay

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

[stanc3w0rks]

Pics or it didn't happen

[Dodging]

Pics or it didn't happen

Tadaa! lol





Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

[stanc3w0rks]

B-E-A-UTIFUL

[andy w]

Looking good mate dont look like it will be out of the bay for much longer

[Dodging]

Managed to squeeze 2 hours in on it tonight... Nothing major accomplished





Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

[Dodging]

So tonight I only got home at about 20h15... Decided to put on the overalls and get busy. Amazing how it feels like you're not really getting much done, but when you stand back and look at it all you realise you actually did quite a bit

Started off by fitting the rear gearbox mount, then fitted the branch. Fiddled about with some bits if plumbing and some of the wiring. Must say I am really happy with the battery being out of the engine bay - much more space to work with.

Tomorrow I need to get some sleeving for the wiring, as the old ones are starting to look a bit shoddy. Will then continue with plumbing and wiring tomorrow night, and with a drop of luck crank that sucker up on Saturday



Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

[andy w]

Thats one tidy engine bay very nice