1498 replies to this topic

[Ben_O]

Right, back to the garage.

 

Thanks to Carlos_W lending me his flywheel puller i have been able to pull apart the engine to check for any water damage from the flood.

 

Now i have heard horror stories about flywheel's being impossible to remove and getting stuck on. Luckily mine popped off with no effort at all. I just tightened the centre bolt on the puller, gave it a shove with my hand and it pinged onto the floor.

 

So now i have taken the engine to bits to check it out. I'm pleased to say that the water has done no noticeable damage at all and everything is still coated in nice old thick black oil! The pistons were slightly seized but didn't need much persuading to get moving.

 

everything such as crank, cam shaft, bores, pistons all look good at a first look so its promising.

 

If anybody is reading this, can i have some idea of what to actually look for with regards to wear and how to check if any machine work will be required.

 

Also, i need some idea of how much it costs to have the block, head and other bits professionally cleaned to get rid of the rust, paint and crud etc.

 

I plan to get the Lump cleaned, painted and re-assembled in the coming months to keep me busy while i wait to continue with the shell.

 

Pictures!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ill try and get better photos!

 

Ben

[Covert]

Ben check for a lip at the top of the bore where the piston stops, that would be a place to start

[Ben_O]

Ok mate, it is a smooth as a babies bum. No lip whatsoever!!
so i'm laughing right...........?

 

as you can tell, i have never re-built an engine before 

 

cheers
Ben

[Covert]

Well thats a good thing , ive only done a couple of engines so am by no means an expert!
You have done well so far !

[Ben_O]

Well thats a good thing , ive only done a couple of engines so am by no means an expert!
You have done well so far !

Well it came apart with noting broken so thats a start!

 

I have done head gaskets on Non-Mini cars in the past and all has gone well but never actually fully stripped an engine. I guess the A series is the best place to start. Nice solid chunky parts .

 

So next question is, must you always replace piston rings or is there a way to check them? I'm not being tight and am willing to change them but i just don't know whether it is something that you have to change and also wondering about the bearing shells on the crank and piston push rods (if that's what they are called?)

How do i see if they are worn out or worn in.

 

It is a nice low mileage engine and ran as sweet as a nut (best one i have heard i think!) but that was in 03 and it has sat since.

 

any hints on the build of the is engine would be greatly appreciated guys.

Right, i'm over to the 'step by step engine build no waffle' thread.

 

Cheers

 

Ben

[Carlos W]

There will be tolerances for ring gap, and you'll have to measure the bore top middle and bottom!

Which puller did you use?

[Ben_O]

There will be tolerances for ring gap, and you'll have to measure the bore top middle and bottom!

Which puller did you use?

Ok mate. Ill have a look see tomorrow.

 

I used the puller that was in the packet. to be honest i expected a real struggle and decided i would try it with that puller first and if it felt like it was going to be a problem then i was going to switch to the home made one.

 

Everyone thought i was mad going straight to the garage after a night drive back to IOW to start working on an engine!

there i was at 3am in the garage with my hands dirty on no sleep!

I thought i was going to throw up when i lifted the whole engine by myself onto my work bench. You only have to look at the pics to see how high it is (the one in the first pic with the can of WD40 on it!

 

Top tip, when attempting to lift a heavy engine alone onto a high bench, don't use a ladder to stand on. Its very dangerous    

 

Ben

[Carlos W]

When are you back on the main land?

[Ben_O]

Tomorrow if i could!

 

probably next week sometime but you never can tell. depends on money mate.

 

I do want to get some stuff done in the garage though while i am here as i need to make space for that half mini from your garage!

 

Ben

[Carlos W]

I'm off all next week

[Ben_O]

Good stuff. If i make it down next week, ill come over and give you a hand to sort out that business with the boot if you like

[Carlos W]

Good stuff. If i make it down next week, ill come over and give you a hand to sort out that business with the boot if you like

Just come and sort it! I'll leave the garage keys and you can let yourself in. If you can prime and paint the whole thing too that'd be ideal

[Ben_O]

 

Good stuff. If i make it down next week, ill come over and give you a hand to sort out that business with the boot if you like

Just come and sort it! I'll leave the garage keys and you can let yourself in. If you can prime and paint the whole thing too that'd be ideal

 

gladly! I need a job!! 

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

This is coming on really well! Glad to see it mate, great work. That carb is gorgeous. Any news on IMM this year?

Edited by Mini-Mad-Craig, 01 May 2014 - 11:47 PM.

[Ben_O]

This is coming on really well! Glad to see it mate, great work. That carb is gorgeous. Any news on IMM this year?

Cheers Craig.

 

Don't think i'm going to make IMM this year which i am gutted about. I got all excited when i found out it was at the county showground, would have been so handy with my mum only living in Sittingbourne!