Hi Dave mate, many thanks for the kind words: enthusiasms not something I'm short of hehe i love seeing people enjoying their Dollys and watching all their progress threads. Yes indeed a fair bit since i last posted in her thread....
It became clear on its return from its first show (first run in the car actually) that all was not well with its cooling system and the garage later confirmed the Head Gasket was indeed away. I had planned to just freshen up the cooling system but Its the car i fully intend to keep so i have dug deep and its currently away having a full engine and cooling system rebuild at our local excellent classic friendly garage.
The car is being treated to:
Refurbished Radiator
New Hoses
Water Pump rebuild (after listening to advice that rebuild is better than replacement - new pump on old shaft etc so went with my original pump getting rebuilt)
New Thermostat
New Temp Sender
Heads away to the local machine shop for a skim then new gasket set
Full engine rebuild kit has been purchased, so the block is away at the local machine shop
New Valves
New Pistons
New Bearings
New Timing Chain Kit
New Oil pump
All new seals
Thanks to Rimmers for all of above
Just as well went for the full engine rebuild as the bores had plenty scoring on them, valves were a mess, and there were a fair few broken rings upon strip down
The subframe was past its first flush of youth having been welded previously so thanks to Winns managed to source a New old stock 1850 subframe so thats being fitted with new engine mounts and new fitting kit - saves a job later on!!
Rocker Cover has been painted at the local Powder Coaters
The bay is having a mini freshen up (but will get a full repaint at a later date)
Just got the eye watering bill to face now in a few weeks but i can't do it myself so just have to deal with it!!
Currently the subframe is being fitted tomorrow and the bay having its freshen up, the block and head are due back from the machine shop at the end of next week, then its just the case of having it all built back up again.
Some pictures:
Car towed away:
When Dolly is away we took the opportunity to paint her garage floor:
Off with her Rocker Cover and Head:
General dismantling shots of engine / engine out:
New Subframe arrives / Rocker Cover back from Powder Coaters:
Mahoosive order from Rimmers arrives:
Yesterday:
Radiator back and trip along to the garage to hand it in and take a few more quick snaps:
Once back next year ill think about renewing the suspension and the year after its glass out respray time, but i had to get it running right first - at least i can rest easy now in the knowledge the engine shouldn't need touched for a very long time (i do about 300 miles a year maybe in any classic I've had before so it should stay good for a very long time!!)
More progress as it happens! Thanks all for the continued support, help, and spur ons!
Kind Regards
Russell.
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