My grey GTE

[johnl]

Re: My grey GTE

It is worth it - thats how I do mine.

Also it is good to put back to black on first then heat gun as the top layer of plastic melts it accepts the back to black.

might try it that way next time.

[johnl]

Re: My grey GTE

Going to start ordering more of the bits for the engine rebuild this week. Going to get the oil pump from Vauxhall but also getting the pressure relief valve from SBD. Going to send the Crank of to check if it needs a regrind or just a polish (hopefully by next weekend) After which it should just be a case of bolting it all back together once the rings arrive.

[johnl]

Re: My grey GTE

Dropped the crank off from the old engine to the local machine shop they have checked the crank over and it's going to need to be reground due to some scoring on the bearing journals. Should be ready for collection on Thursday

[johnl]

Re: My grey GTE

Got a call to say it was ready to be collected just got back with the crank now.

Here's a picture of the crank


Here's a pic from the piston I've started to clean up I'm surprised on the condition really due to the mileage the car had done.

[Alex mac]

Re: My grey GTE

Looking Good, take a opportunity now and install ARP rod bolts, for piece of mind

But you will never get it cleaned with WKD particularly orange lol

[johnl]

Re: My grey GTE

lol tell me about it.

[johnl]

Re: My grey GTE

Had another call to say the bearings and rings have arrived so now I just need to get head set and bottom set together oil pump and then I can start builind it all up

[johnl]

Re: My grey GTE

Well I've spent most of this morning stripping the old block and cleaning it up only to find that bore number 3 has a massive lip on one side making the block scrap. Looks for all the world as its been pushed out. Not sure whats happened with it as there were no symptoms when the engine was last running to show there was this kind of ware. It had healthy compression etc.

Anyway this will just be a little set back as I will now either use my current block and take the car of the road for around a week whilst I strip it down etc or source another block. Didn't get any pictures as I forgot to take my camera

[richie00boy]

Re: My grey GTE

Annoying when things like that happen.

[johnl]

Re: My grey GTE

tell me about it. not overly fussed though just means I either take the car of the road for a bit longer than 1st planned or source a new block. Taking the car of the road's not to bad as I'll possibly get the use of my mates jag

[johnl]

Re: My grey GTE

Well after this weekend I've made my mind up the car's coming of the road next week to get the engine sorted once and for all. Pressure relief valve has stuck both Saturday and Sunday. Granted it took all of 30 minutes to strip down and clean etc. Just don't fancy it doing it whilst out etc.

I've just booked the week of work to allow me enough time. So get ready for a load of pic's whilst I carry out the rebuild etc.

Long term plans for the car have possibly changed. Going to get the engine sorted out and then possibly go down the v6 route. Externally however the car will remain standard as possible.

[johnl]

Re: My grey GTE

Well This morning the car came off the road. Was meant to be happening yesterday but due to been on call over the weekend and having to move 40 servers due to power issues on Sunday night I gave working on the car a miss. I also bought a gazebo to try keep the weather off me whilst working on the car Pleased to say it worked a treat.

Just after got started.


Looks like the manifold had a little leak.


Plugs are all like this one bar number 3 (hoping this is just because of the gasket)


Cam Cover removed


Finally removed the head (rear pipe that comes from the back of the water pump was a pain to remove)



The bores look in good condition can still see the honing marks and there's no lip



Although there is a large carbon build up on the 3rd Bore.



Again number 3 is carbonized up




Had a few issues removing the engine one of the issues are in the following picture can anybody notice anything missing here?



That right the input shaft came out as well


Anyway here's the block fully removed from the car



Once the engine was removed I set about stripping it down ready for cleaning and painting.

Here's the crank. doesn't appear to be any wear at all.



And here's the block after the crank and pistons were removed.



When removing the 3rd piston one of the compression rings fell off in about 20 pieces didn't get a picture of this though Anyway after a tin of Gunk I had a clean block ready for painting. Which I managed to paint before I packed up for the night. Hopefully should be just a case of rebuilding the engine now with all the bits I've been collecting.

[johnl]

Re: My grey GTE

Well another days hard graft. (Well sort of I over slept

here's a pic of the block after it was all painted up




Didn't get any pictures of the pistons been fitted was getting carried away with the piston ring compressor

Fitted the crank into position with plenty of fresh engine oil every bearing got a cap full of oil and then the crank journals got at least 2 cap fulls over them.






Forgot to take picture then till I had fitted the head and replacement gear box.








Anyway how the engine bay was left tonight



Mental note to ones self don't leave the tray of used engine oil under the car I managed to knock a new box of gloves (the only box I had left I might add)


After the mishap with the gloves I called it a night. How I've left everything tonight. Car's in the make shift garage. Been a real god send with the British summer been as it is.

[johnl]

Re: My grey GTE

Well today's not been very productive Started tightening the head bolts only for one of the bolts to strip the thread out of the block

[richie00boy]

Re: My grey GTE

Sorry to hear that mate, was looking good as well.

Where did you get the gazebo and are they expensive?