293 replies to this topic

[slar]

Alright small update time.

 

Havent made too much progress since the last update as my engine went in for machining and due to a backlog of work at the reconditioners it took 8 weeks to get it back.

So whilst I was waiting for the donk to return I spent my time getting a few bits and pieces that I needed  ready for the engine.

 

First up got my new manifold....expensive but a nice looking bit of gear

 

 

 

Then I decided to install the new radiator......alloy 3 core....good looking unit but not the most expensive.....welds look good so hope it does the job.

 

 

 

 

Still waiting for the engine so it was time to whip the heads into shape......got them recoed....new stainless valves...valve job...new bronze guides and LT1 springs.....didnt machine any off as they had been done not to long ago and where still straight and where 10 thou undersize which suited the compression ratio I was aiming for.....around 10:1

 

 

 

Finally the engine was ready to pick up.....square decked 15 thou...bored and honed 20 thou over.....new flat top pistons.....hastings moly race rings......hot tanked.....all new bearings.....linnished crank ......new fly wheel.... crane H286 cam.....new push rods and crane lifters.....all rotating assembly balanced and he got it to 0.5 gram overall says the balance computer readout sheet....pretty impressed with the quality of work done and all was spot on.

 

 

And yes its all been hot washed with soapy water and cleaned and blown out till no black on the rag from any area.

 

 

Got the crank installed...clearances where perfect and end float was 5 thou

 

 

Ringed up the pistons and installed them

 

 

Time for the camshaft.......checked the cam with a degree wheel to ensure the timing as per cam card was very close.

 

 

Ended up 1/2 a degree from spec....close enough for me ....used  a new rollmaster timing chain and sprocket kit with mulit keyway but didnt need to advance or retard so its set to 0 position.

 

 

Got the heads on and tensioned up.....all is fitting very well

 

 

 

Installed all new brass welsch plugs....cam plug and gallery plug

 

 

 

 

Decided to have a mock up evening just to check the fit of all the bits that need to go on the engine.

 

 

 

 

Even got my newly refurbished quaddie out for look.....im happy with that

 

 

Fitted up the new sump with a one piece neoprene gasket......it fitted perfectly...was a bit worried since its aftermarket.

 

 

 

Ok all looks good....time to mask her up ready for paint

 

 

 

Hit it with a splash of 2k Rocket Red after etch priming it and there you have it....beautiful.

 

 

 

Not sure what colour to paint the rocker covers or leave them Rocket red....they are VN rocker covers and they need painting...Im not sure about black just doesnt look right to me.

 

Any way thats it for now but heaps more to come

 

Cheers Al...... enjoy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ice]

Paint the rocker covers red to Al it will look more factory if thats the look your going for
buy the way awesome work as usual
what brand is the radiator Al

[Covert]

Engine looks fantastic. Well done 

 

I know what you mean about the rocker covers, I think there would definitely be a market for early head looking rocker covers that fit VN heads.    

[SmacT]

Neat work as usual Al. I also want to know what brand radiator you went with and where from. There's so many of them these days, it's hard to know which to choose!

I vote red or silver (to match the water pump etc) for the rocker covers.

[slar]

Paint the rocker covers red to Al it will look more factory if thats the look your going for
buy the way awesome work as usual
what brand is the radiator Al

 

 

Neat work as usual Al. I also want to know what brand radiator you went with and where from. There's so many of them these days, it's hard to know which to choose!

I vote red or silver (to match the water pump etc) for the rocker covers.

I bought the radiator online....evilbay......took a risk i know but when I got it i was suprised by the quality and Im pretty fussy....looks to be well made and cant find a defect on it anywhere.

The sellers name was Autoparts100....was only $165.00 delivered....obviously chinese for that money but looks pretty good...only time will tell I suppose.

 

 

 

Rightio I decided not to paint my rocker covers at all...instead I hit them with a DA sander and a bit of wet and dry....removed all the factory paint and polished them.

They came up a treat......took 4 hours to do both covers but you"ll need a dremel with polishing wheels to get into the tight areas......other than that Im pleased with the result.

 

Before...after sanding

 

 

After....about 30 mins worth of polishing on bench grinder buff wheel

 

 

Both together

 

 

Quick mock up...looks good

 

 

cheers

Al

[Ice]

Gee your a patient man Al looks awesome

[slar]

Trust me Gene I get the shits with things like anybody else but I'll give it a go ....if my polishing had failed I just would of painted them lol.

[SmacT]

Thanks Al. I will go evilbay at as well, though I noticed yours doesn't have tabs for mounting thermofans which I need. Still, if the $165 option is good so far, a $200 option must be kick-arse, right? :-)

Too work on the polishing. Looks good.

[slar]

Thanks Al. I will go evilbay at as well, though I noticed yours doesn't have tabs for mounting thermofans which I need. Still, if the $165 option is good so far, a $200 option must be kick-arse, right? :-)

Too work on the polishing. Looks good.

 

Yeh Im just using one of those high capacity type fans that are fitted to aircon fitted cars......plenty of radiators out there with the extra mounts for thermo fans or shrouds.......picking the right one is a bit of a minefield though.

[slar]

Ok time for an update....

 

Been busy over the xmas break finishing off the engine and finally got 90% of it together.

 

Needed and engine crane so waited till the boxing day sale a supercheap and got a 40% discount on this crane

 

 

Finally got it on the hoist....slipped the gearbox on and got her mounted in the front end K frame

 

 

 

 

Test fitted the extractors and guess what......the drivers side fouled on the K frame and sway bar...dissapointing.

 

 

Had to remove this much to get clearance.....not a big job but fiddly

 

 

Passenger side fitted perfect.... clearance all round

 

 

All good now....quick coat of VHT extreme heat paint and on they went for the final time.

 

 

 

Whipped up a little trolley to rest the gearbox on and the whole front end is mobile and ready to slip under the car.

 

 

A quick check of my lift points on the car and a couple of chassis stands under the rails and where set for the engine install.

 

 

Under she goes.....its a good feeling when your finally getting to the end of the road.

 

 

 

 

Finally back on 4 wheels after 7 years

 

 

 

Pretty happy with the front wheel fit......clears the front spoiler and firewall on full lock.....was a bit worried I might have to cut and tuck but all is good

 

 

Spent today sorting the wiring and making battery cables.......a quick power up on the battery and I was lucky...everything works and no smoke in sight.

 

 

The air filter was a close fit but the bonnet closes with about 10mm clearance at the front 

 

 

And today I finally got bitten cause I bought a cheap starter motor.......its a hi torque brand....absolutely no good.

I busted the thing just tightening the bolts up to specs 35ft/bl 

 

 

Heres the break......just under where the bolts sit.......I was wondering why it wouldnt tension up.......piece of shit chinese casting.

 

 

So heres the remedy.......Go buy a proper starter and stop being a cheapskate.

Bosch....well at least I know this one will work.....and it did.

 

 

 

Well thats it for now but the next update will be the first start of the new engine......Im getting nervous lol...wish me luck

 

cheers

Al

[Ice]

Looks great Al top work but then again i dont expect anything less from you
Cheers G.

[GMH-01X]

I've been wondering the same with lifting the front of the car - Thanks for showing us that AL

Getting there mate and as usual looking Awesome - good luck on your start up can't wait to see a vid on the first test run.

Cheers Az

[SmacT]

What is it with LX/H Toranas and extractors? Why don't the buggers ever fit?

Great update. Pity you didn't ask to borrow my engine crane - I would have delivered to have a perve on your car! :-)

[slar]

There a nice set of legs sticking out in one pic, and the car doesn't look to bad either, LOL. Hopefully i will be doing this at some stage this year, when i do i will come back and check these pics again, looks like a good idea to bolt a chain across the front of the chassis rails to lift the car. I was going to put a length of channel under the rails an lift the car with a sling, but your way would be more secure, no chance of slipping, good stuff.. 

 

 

What is it with LX/H Toranas and extractors? Why don't the buggers ever fit?

Great update. Pity you didn't ask to borrow my engine crane - I would have delivered to have a perve on your car! :-)

 

Im getting worried about you blokes........perving.......and nice legs......your not a couple of lady boys are you lol....jeez

[SmacT]

Don't knock what you haven't tried, Al. Ha ha.

[slar]

I think Im gonna be sick......

[Covert]

Id stick to the car Al, that's obviously where your talents are looks fantastic 

[slar]

I intend to Mav.....no time for silly business lol

[Ice]

There a nice set of legs sticking out in one pic, and the car doesn't look to bad either, LOL. Hopefully i will be doing this at some stage this year, when i do i will come back and check these pics again, looks like a good idea to bolt a chain across the front of the chassis rails to lift the car. I was going to put a length of channel under the rails an lift the car with a sling, but your way would be more secure, no chance of slipping, good stuff.. 

Watch him ????