New Dawn starts later.. like morning!

Last night (being Thursday, this being Saturday morning - with me so far!), I attached the flywheel and clutch to the new engine and removed the engine mountings from 3.9 engine.

This evening (being Friday:) I started cleaning up the remote filter housing ready for installation to new engine and guess what?

The pressure release valve was sticking. Needless to say, I'm quite relieved in a way that it was something simple. That solves the low pressure issue. Still, it's fairly irrelevant now, I'll just have to keep an eye on oil pressure. Cleaned it all up and ressembled it and it seems ok. Fingers crossed.

When the turbo engine goes into the next project, the chassis will be designed around it, so I can revert, for the most part, to standard production items - such as the orginal filter takeoff.

Anyway, I got the new engine home and it's sitting on the garage floor. First thing in the morning, I have to go and get a new oil pump gasket, then swap over the remote takeoff, drain engine oil and remove some of the useless bits of engine compartment ventilation and side mounted air filter housings.

I'll also need to get some "P-clips" and get the other fuel line in (going down the transmission tunnel, next to existing one) while engine is still out - no I haven't done it yet.

When that's all done, we (a friend is coming over to help) can get the engine in.

Then starts the wiring rehash, locating the ecu and airflow meter etc etc. I know I could use the Emerald, but I'm going to stick with the Land Rover bits as far as possible.

Anyway, won't say anymore, or there'll be no point reading the next exciting instalment.

Will there:D

Till tomorrow (or this evening, as the case may be)

Simon

Can't think of one!

No progress on the car today - I wasn't expecting much, anyway.

Would say though, that all this activity is going on in a single car garage which is rather full up. Having the turbo engine lying around is creating problems - so this evening I knocked up a bogey (1 1/2" SHS frame, 1/2" ply sheet and some 2 1/2" wheels), so I can move the thing around.

Tomorrow, I'll get the old engine onto that, then I can move car onto driveway and give engine bay a though clean.

Next job is to get the return fuel line in and replumb the fuel lines in the boot (ie remove the pressure regulator as now surplus to requirements).

Also tomorrow, I'll try and get the auto box bits and pieces removed from the new engine so I can put on the flywheel and clutch. If I'm lucky the new flywheel bolts and spigot bush will arrive.

Need to order some stainless bends for exhaust. Aaargghhh, forgot that!

Then we should be ready for the big instal on Saturday morning. Need to be as engine crane has to go back Sat PM

Anyway, more tomorrow hopefully.

Simon

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