Few bits....

Just a very quick update!

Phoned Rimmer Bros today and ordered some flywheel bolts and a new spigot bush - not sure if that's actually required as I haven't taken the auto drive plate off the new engine yet, but for the sake of a couple of quid, decided it would be worth having.

It occurred to me this evening, after I'd removed the flywheel about the sense in getting a new thrust bearing and complete clutch. The old stuff seems in reasonable nick, so probably not worth the expense; or is it....

Time will tell I guess.

Also removed the take off plate for the Mocal remote filter assembly, which will also need to be transferred to the new engine, and while I'm at it, I removed the starter motor.

Tomorrow, well later today (being Tuesday already), I'm planning on removing the auto box parts from the new engine and going to finish cleaning the engine.

Anyway, that's it for tonight. More Wednesday hopefully.

Simon

Delays and ....... well, more delays

Right, last night (before I posted on here), I'd been in the garage looking at the car thinking hmmm, "Can I really be bothered?", knowing full well that if I'm to get the car back on the road, this is the only way forward.

So, knowing that last night, I made a gentle start - looking at what needed to be undone (bearing in mind that with the turbos, the engine was a bit wider than standard) and starting to undo manifolds, disconnect the ecu and remove wiring etc etc.

So, to today. The intention was to get up early, go for a swim then make a start.

In reality, I got up about 9.30, and was giving the idea of not going swimming some serious thought. Guilt eventually got the better of me, so off I went. And did about 50 lengths, without dieing, which was nice.

On the way home I popped into Paddock Wood Motorists Centre (been getting stuff from them since the early 80's!! and borrowed (alright, hired) their engine crane for the week. It's bloomin' heavy and the idea of putting it into and removing it from my car twice didn't appeal, so I got it for the week.

Then got home and wife made me go shopping with her and the boys, which ended up with us having lunch at the Nutmeg Tree in the Victoria Centre in T/Wells. Can't recommend the place enough (been having meals in there for about 8 years, and am always happy with service and food). Alas, I digress.

Eventually, got home and made a proper start, undoing offside exhaust manifold, disconnecting water feeds (more to allow easier access to other nuts and bolts), undoing oil feeds and undoing engine mountings (yes, after I'd attached the crane).

I then spent the next three hours trying to remove engine only to continuously find I needed to undo other things - and finding one bolt on belhousing I hadn't undone. Duh.

Anyway, it's out!

So now I have to clean up the engine compartment of oil, crap, dust and dirt and transfer clutch bits onto the new engine. Which reminds me, I need to get a new spigot bush and new flywheel bolts (from Rimmer Bros).




That's it for today, will post updates during the week.

Simon

Quick post - with pics. Aren't you lucky:D

This is what I collected from the nice chap near Battle

And this is the important bit - just after I'd made a start degreasing - but having run out of degreaser/got cold etc etc. Most of the crap is off though. Might have to make some exhausts. Again!

I'm now going to go and start taking Deimos apart, so you might be lucky and have more pics tonight or tomorrow.

I forgot to say, and I'm sure you'll be over the moon to hear this; I bought a bicycle and got round to riding it to work this morning. It's only three miles, but about a mile is a 1/10 hill and the mile before is a gentle uphill gradient, so, if there's no more updates this weekend, it's cos I'm too knackered to do anything. Oh yeah, and I'm gonna swim a mile or so in the morning. Finally decided to do something about my couch potato tendencies:D

Till later, tomorrow or next weekend (when the new engine will be going in!!!!!)

Simon

A New Start, perhaps

Just a quick post to let you know that I got my new engine last night. It's a 3.9l V8 from a 1994 Range Rover Classic (about 200bhp). It's done about 80,000 miles and has had the top end done.

I found it on ebay, having just flagged up about 15 Range Rovers that were potential donors, I came across an ad for, well, all the running gear (axles/box/transfer box, complete loom, ecu, pump - all I need and more).

Phoned the chap up, sounded nice enough, asked if he'd split as I only needed engine/ecu/loom and pump and he said he'd prefer not to. Anyway, I now have a load of stuff to sell - which, if I'm lucky will ensure I get the engine for not a lot. Maybe even free, which would be nice!

So, this weekend, it all kicks off. I'm going to try and remove the turbo'd engine, then swap over the flywheel and clutch assembly, move the alternator to the new engine (to the correct position), then plan on installing it the following week.

While the engine is out, I'll have a quick tidy up in the engine compartment, and get the other fuel line installed.

So, till then then, with pics hopefully.

Simon

Done it again...

Nearly another month or so has passed and.........

I'm still no nearer getting the car back on the road, well, in its current state anyway.

I've had a major change or plan which, whilst I'm still up for the turbo idea, is proving to be a complete pita, so for the moment, I'm going to get a 3.9 and chuck that it, and get the twin turbo unit on the bench (have to make one first!!!) and have a rethink - probably single turbo mounted on the passenger side (but fed by all eight cylinders - in case you were wondering!).

It just so happens that, having spent the last month or so on the lookout for a complete Range Rover or similar - which were usually several hundred miles away, and untaxed/motless, I found a pleaseant chap fairly local who's broken a complete 3.9 RR that he was going to use for a project.

Needless to say, a quick call ensued and a "BIN" on the bay took place. Not only am I to get a 3.9 with ECU, loom, fuel pump etc etc - I will also have a load of RR running gear that I'll need to sell; a) as I don't want/need it and, b) will get some money back from.

So that's put me in a slightly more positive frame of mind - looks like I'll be busy next weekend:)

Anyway, if all goes to plan, some more updated next week, with pics and smiles and happiness all round:D

Till then.

Simon

Christams already!!!

Can't believe it, it's nearly two months since the last post, and what's been achieved? Well, not much really. I have most of the stuff I need to get on with the car - to do the jobs recommended by Emerald's Dave Walker, but am still lacking enthusiasm, I guess I was hoping it would work ok ad I'd be on the road by now. Haven't even bothered to renew the road tax yet (SORN'd instead) as it may be a while before I'm ready. It also needs an MOT so...

First thing I need to do is get the mechanical bits sorted - first job is to find out why I have such low oil pressure, then get a return fuel line in, get pressure reg mounted up front, get the cage fixed in place and painted, get glass for screen etc etc.

After that, a bit of painting as I started "restoring" the arches at the front after I noticed how chipped they were, then the scuttle was glaring at me, then the rear arches.......

So, I may get around to starting this over the Christmas holiday - though I have the two boys to look after, and they take priority.

I've got the marshalling to oversee for the Sunbeam Motorcycle Club's Pioneer Run late in March, so I have three months to get above lot sorted, get car MOT'd/Taxed and back to Emerald so the mapping can be finished.

Will try and do some work and keep posting a little more frequent and regular.

Happy Christmas and great New Year to y'all:D

Simon.

A title, hmmm

What can I say? I'm having trouble on the enthusiasm front at the mo. I'm working on the car in a single car garage, and it's full up. I have trouble doing anything in there and I'm getting slightly peeved by that and my inability to get on with car.

I thought I could sort my oil pressure prob out by putting in a higher value oil pressure relief spring, but (and after 3 hours !!!!) I managed to replace it, only to still have low oil pressure. Pump strip down next.

I've now decided that all the bodywork acyually looks very rough, so I've started preparing that for a repaint.

Anyway, just a short update. Catch you in a fortnight with some progress hopefully.

Cheers