Project VHK (Inca Sprint)

[Mad Mart]

Not once I get to the spannering bits.

[Mad Mart]

I didn't do a lot today, to be honest. I started cleaning a couple of suspension parts but then I moved on to the subframe. I'd already started before I realised I hadn't taken a pic for the 'before' shot...



Anyway, I had nearly finished cleaning the subframe when I got a call from Jon the sprayer. He said he was coming to pick the shell up in a couple of hours time. I'm sure we said next week. But that's worked out great as I can now spread myself out a bit more.

[Mad Mart]

I saw Jon the sprayer at the NEC on Sunday & he said he was cracking on with VHK. He sent me some pics today...







Nearside rear wheel arch...













Rear light panel...







Headlight panels & lower front panel...




Offside front wing...




Nearside inner front wing (just behind the wheel arch)...







He rang me this afternoon as he needs the cill & wing to continue. That's a first, him chasing me.

[DazasDolly]

Looking good that Mart

[Mad Mart]

It's been a while since I updated this thread.

Most of the welding has been done and panels reattached. I should have an update on the shell next week.

I've been gradually cleaning & painting the front suspension parts over the holidays...




Today I started stripping the engine...









The rocker assembly is a bit gunked up, but I've had worse...



Not too much carbon on the piston crowns...



...which didn't take long to remove, revealing original pistons. 1&2 are grade 'G' and 3&4 are grade 'F' which match the stamping on the edge of the block...



I like to keep things neat & tidy...



The bores all look to be ok but I will check them thoroughly tomorrow. The main & big end bearings have wear on them but nothing drastic, so hopefully they will just need replacing. The crank has 0.008" endfloat which is within tolerance but the thrust bearings are worn so will be replaced as well.

Another update tomorrow.

[Mad Mart]

I spent this morning cleaning the block up.




The bores were all good so I gave them a hone...



...and finally a coat of enamel for the block...



I just need to order the bearings & rings now.

[Purplebargeken]

Really coming on now

Just wondering about the piston crowns. When I had the Tolly's head off I was advised to leave a ring of carbon around the edge of the crown and at the very top of the bore. Looks like you didn't do this on VHK. Any particular reason. Just interested.

Cheers

Ken

[MalcGE]

Ken, both bits of advice are valid, just slightly different circumstances.

Mart has "glaze busted" the bores which will allow new rings to bed in.

On your engine, you were retaining original pistons and rings in a glazed bore and thus the extra carbon helps.

in our two stoke Kart engines, after a few hours the carbon gums up the rings and at the point the rings are beginning to stick in the grooves are when the engines are at their optimum. however, if the rings get too gummed up and fail to move the scrutineers will exclude you from the race. kart engines take a few hours to "come on" as new pistons and rings get some carbon round the grooves. The whole process happens much quicker due to the high level of oil in the petrol oil mix but the principle is the same on a car engine, just that being a four stroke it takes much longer to achieve a reasonable level of carbon, just as well as you would not want to be cleaning the rings after about 7 hours of running

http://www.mattenglandracing.co.uk. Championship Winners of the 2012 Formula Junior TKM Club Championship =D> =D>



Excellent progress Mart, looking forward to piccies of the shell

[Purplebargeken]

Cheers Malc, thanks for the info. As an aside, I went indoor karting with Ben. What a hoot!

[Mad Mart]

Thanks for that explanation Malc. If you aren't removing the pistons then you can leave the carbon ring (around the bore) there, but if you are removing them it's best to remove the ring as you can break the piston rings when getting the pistons out.

[Mad Mart]

I had a few bits arrive today, front hub bearings, piston rings, mains & big end bearings. So I've just had fun rebuilding the front hubs and fitting the rings & big ends.

[straylight]

great work as always Mart, enjoying the resto, thanks for posting up the work in progress pics.

stu

[Mad Mart]

Bummer!

I started stripping the head yesterday & as I went to prise the first valve stem oil seal off, the top of the valve guide came with it. I now have a 40 mile round trip (twice) plus the cost of replacing the valve guide, to get it fixed. Oh! the joys of restos.

[Mad Mart]

Not too bad, it's only gonna be about a tenner for the guide to be fitted & valve seat reground.

[Mad Mart]

I finished the head at the weekend and installed it on the block. Valve timing is done.

A before & after shot of the head...





Not as shiny as Jeroem's but not bad.




When I got home from work today I had some pics waiting for me on my email...









I'll be going down to see it in the flesh tomorrow (weather permitting).