Richie's Mk1 Restoration

[RichardT10829]

I got the mix to work to this grade in about three days.... But it really really stinks !

You need to remember that my budget is minuscule, I cannot throw wads of money at it like others can, so instead of spending hundreds in blasting (which won't us seize bolts anyway) I spend £30 on molasses which lasts me six months. It's top notch on seized track too, as Shaun says you cannot be in a rush when using it though.

Don't waste your money blasting track........ It just comes back clean and seized

Molasses Rock hahahahahahahaha

[RichardT10829]

Well got a call from machine shop engine is done... Shall have her built up during the course of next week, then just need to add some fuel and spark, and I can see if I have built a dud !

I finally managed to fit the steering bolt into the base of the column which was a relief ! The steel is ordered for the rod linkages, so it is all coming together now....

I am on the hunt for the armour flap that sits over the gunners aperture to copy if anyone is willing to let me borrow one for a couple of weeks ?

A pal of mine is up for a crack at making one for me.

Cheers

Richie

[eddy8men]

sorry mate can't let you have mine, as it's a copy that a mate did for me, what he didn't tell me was he copied it from a t16 which is very slightly wider

[RichardT10829]

Doe !

[RichardT10829]

Bit more progress on the carrier, I have got the engine back from Northern Rebore's with the new cam bearings installed and the bores honed, I made a bracket to mount the engine on the stand by the exhaust ports. I feel a bit more confident with it now.

Job one once mounted was to clean all the crap out of the block yet again... I had hoped the machine shop would have done this but never mind

Then I set about installing the cam and the valve assemblies once and for all ! I had to make a pry bar tool to locate the valve guides into the block, then the retainers were added. A but fiddly for me but I got there in the end..... I then had to set the clearances 14thou for the exhausts and 12 thou for the inlets..... The adjustable followers are a godsend !!! Just make sure you drill the block in the right place !

Once I was happy everything spun and all the valves opened and closed without binding, I set the cam timing in place via the large drive sprocket... I then located the opposite mark on the crank and seated the crank in place... Then it was a case of adding the caps and introducing the rods and pistons.

I am missing six castellated rod nuts so will need to make some calls... I have half the pistons in the block..... The rest will have to wait until next time.


It's nice to finally get the thing put back together !

[RichardT10829]

Can only seem to add one pic at a time.

[RichardT10829]

And here is the last one for now.... Those shiney pistons and valves all dull from oily paws... Sigh.