RUK - Project Recommission 1972 'Dolomite' Auto

[yorkshire_spam]

I didn't get much spanner time last night, but I've reattached the exhaust manifold to the head and got the head in place with a couple of studs in to locate it.
Next job will be to fit all the studs/bolts and torque down the head.

[yorkshire_spam]

Head has been torqued down, cam sprocket re-fitted and timing checked.
Let's hope I can get some decent spanner time sometime soon and finish the job.

[yorkshire_spam]

Oh 4r$e.
The front most bolt on the rear manifold flange has pulled a thread out of the block before it reached the specified torque.
I've swapped the bolt for a UNC stud that goes further into the block, put a nut on it and pulled it up as tight as I dare, but stopped short of the torque in the workshop manual.
I'll fill her up with water sometime soon and see what's what.
If I'm unlucky I'll end up stripping it all back off and re-taping that hole to a larger thread. Won't that be "fun"?

[dollyman]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/THREAD-TAP-R ... 1438.l2649

These are brilliant for ally, and cheap Had a similar thing the other day on a modern.

Tony.

[yorkshire_spam]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/THREAD-TAP-R ... 1438.l2649

These are brilliant for ally, and cheap Had a similar thing the other day on a modern.

Tony.

Never used one before Tony, what are they like to use?

[dollyman]

Very easy, just take your time and make sure you keep the drill and tap square when using. They really are good Some people have found watching a you tube video helpfull, or practice first on a scrap piece ally or steel.

Tony.

[yorkshire_spam]

Well the manifold isn't leaking water....
But it won't start AND the bypass tube is peeing water out. So, manifold will have to come back off.

Edit:
It turns out that I'm a moron. I took the cam cover off and turned the engine over by hand.... at the top of compression stroke on #1 the rotor arm is pointing at the #4 plug lead.
DOH! Rookie error!

[dollyman]

How many times have we all done that

Tony.

[yorkshire_spam]

How many times have we all done that

Tony.

My excuse is too much time spent working on OHV engines not OHC.... on the ohv if the cam timing is right and you havent taken the dizzy out then the ignition timing is still right.... with the separate drive to the dizzy on the OHC engines you can get the crank and the cam timed up right but still have the dizzy out by 180deg.

Obvious really, but I clearly wasn't paying attention!

[yorkshire_spam]

I took the manifold back off to look at the bypass tube leak. It looks like the lower o-ring rolled on assembly, so this time I "lubricated" it with some silicone RTV (not much) and it looks to have gone in ok.
I managed to get a 5/16 unc stud well into the block and this time I was able to torque up to the manual spec of 20 lb.ft


Unfortunately during the process of re-timing the cam relative to the crank/jackshaft I dropped a nut down the timing case.
When I bit the bullet and removed the timing over, there it was!


Unfortunately it looks like the timing chain is quite well stretched, so I'll be replacing that as well before it all goes back together.

[dollyman]

One job always seem's to make another, but there must be light at the end of tunnell now

Tony.

[yorkshire_spam]

One job always seem's to make another, but there must be light at the end of tunnell now

Tony.

As we are planning to use the car for the RBRR later this year (and other events too) I need it in the best shape possible... so no "ignore the problem until later"

[James467]

I got my timing chain kit from Robsport Sam.

[yorkshire_spam]

I got my timing chain kit from Robsport Sam.

Funny you should say that.... I picked up a package from the mail depot this morning. Sent by Robsport on Tuesday.

[James467]

I can't think of anything else engine wise which should be a problem, bottom end should be fine, you're doing the timing chain, I have done the carbs, Water pump is a brand new ceramic ring pump, I set the valve clearances and the cam looks good, rad is brand new.

I have a front cover seal if you want me to post it to you.

Remember when you refit the kickdown cable to make sure it is adjusted correctly. Sorry, you probably already know that!

Did you get the prop balanced in the end?

Love that little car!