righto ! massive amounts of progress and some pics....kind of bitterwseet, but a good nights work, almost ready to swing the engine out...
first the good news...
space to work at last. Seeing her in space and I remember what beautiful lines she has got. I've a soft spot for the flat boot line....
got the head off tonight, started preparations for lifting the engine. Removed the prop shaft, gear lever assembly, fan, fan blower, alternator, and tagged all of the electrical/hose lines with what they are. Had trouble loosening the rear sub-frame mounts, attack it again in a few days when the penetrene has had a chance to work
Now the bad news...
looking into the engine block, head off, no wonder I couldn't turn the engine initially. #1 piston has absolutely trashed itself, bits of metal, molten aluminium, really torched. I had to apply a lot of force to get the timing chain wheel spun around so I could get to the two bolts in the open. Eventually I got the engine turned, that was before I knew what awaited me.
the other cylinders have intact pistons in them.....but lots of junk. Powder of some sort, light grey in colour and not looking healthy.
the head itself also looks bad. damage to #1, the bright silver streak is actually molten aluminium that looks like it has solidified.
The underside of the valves on #1 have discoloured into a dark crystalline aluminium pattern (dendritic ?). I know they are hardened steel, but they aren't supposed to be that colour !
I'm most worried about the silver streak on the head. Accepting that I can get it shaved (eternal hope), there looks to be too much damage to the head to use it again....
Out of curiosity, when I took the rocker cover off, I found the exhaust tappets from #1 in the case, not over the valve....the head bolts were also quite loose....
so...next step....continue to strip the car down, make some enquiries about the head, take a deep breath and wonder whether I buy a new or reco head....
still not sure what exactly caused the incident.....
thanks tinweevil....I think the unleaded question was a bit premature
....in any case I've found out that sprintparts sell lead substitute....