Project PFJ (French Blue Sprint)

[Mad Mart]

Managed to get the brass cage out, only took five minutes.

Stripped the rest of the engine down. Unfortunately number 4 piston is knacked. As I took the piston out parts of the rings & piston fell out, similar to what happened on my track Sprint. I think I have a decent replacement though. The bores seem ok luckily, just waiting for my bore gauges to arrive so I can check the bore sizes. Checked the Big End & Main bearings. The BEs look quite rough but I will replace all the bearings as a matter of course. All bearings are +0.010".

Engine block is all cleaned up ready for honing & painting.

[MalcGE]

Just go to show, even an accomplished retorer can hit an 'its all to much patch' we've all been there at sometime or another.

Piston Broke, just like many people found themselves upon waking on new years day....so you new year has started the same way as many others.

Keep plugging away Mart

[KWM338R]

what was your trick to getting the brass cage out Mart? mine seems to be stuck in. I made a slide hammer to fit under the cage with a bit of threaded rod and a large socket but it doesn't seem to be enough. i thought only a couple of o rings hold it in. Any tip would be much appreciated.

Cheers
Mark

[David6214]

Something like this....sounds a bit different to your method mark?

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5410&p=50604&hilit= ... val#p50604

[zombeh]

I used something like this http://www.chain-auto-tools.com/general ... US234E.htm to get mine out

[Mad Mart]

I actually used this:-



But mine had been soaking in plus-gas overnight. If it had been in any tighter this tool wouldn't have shifted it.

I did this design a while ago but have never got around to making one, so not sure if it works or not.
http://www.dolomitesprint.com/images/mi ... emoval.pdf

[Autonet7]

Mart, I won't hijack your topic any further than this but couldn't resist showing you Frenchie is now located in its new home ready for restoration.

[Mad Mart]

No, that's fine, but I would like to see you start your own resto thread which can then be put into the forthcoming Projects & restos forum

Nice clean garage, I must get some better lighting in mine.

[newguy]

Mart i think you have turned into the right route.

Icould however send my brother in law over who would fix you up in a day.

[Autonet7]

No, that's fine, but I would like to see you start your own resto thread which can then be put into the forthcoming Projects & restos forum

Will do. Looking forward to that forum

Nice clean garage, I must get some better lighting in mine.

All new, just built, hence so clean & bright. It won't last I'm sure.

Nice progress on PFJ Mart. At this rate you'll have finished and started the next before I get half way through. Keep up the good work.

[KWM338R]

Thanks for the tips gents on getting the cage out. I think I have the right idea, just need a little heavier slide hammer. I got the bearing face on the impeller refaced so am almost ready to refit and then ad the 2" carbs.

All I need now is a new back axle. Just think if Mart and Mary were here it would be done by now!

Cheers
Mark

[Mad Mart]

I braved a cold garage today to get the rest of the Sprint stripped out. Removed the exhaust. The tail pipe has rusted through, the box under the passenger seat looks pretty new but the bracket that the rubbers attach to has come off & the other box looks ok but is very rusty. I also removed the prop shaft & gearbox. That's about all I can do for now on the car except I need to make up some casters on a frame to go on the front, so that the car can stay mobile & I can get on with stripping the front suspension whilst it's away.

I've honed the bores of the engine block & they are fine so I can start buying some bearings & stuff and get on with rebuilding it. Happy days!

[Lewis]

Great! Always nice when stuff starts going back together as opposed to coming apart!

[Mad Mart]

Went out first thing this morning to buy some box section, some flat section & some castors to make up a frame for the front. Took most of the day, what with running out of gas & my welder only wants to feed the wire when it wants to. Anyway, I finished the frame so was ready to drop the subframe assembly out. The rear subframe nuts were really on there but with a little persuasion from a 2 foot breaker bar, they were off.



Spax adjustable seat shocks.






...and an array of doors & boot lid that Mary has been stripping down.

[straylight]

cracking along then Mart ! Great stuff, If you get a chance it would be good to see how you've made up the frame.

<edit> sorry, must be going blind, Just seen the frame on castors in the pic, supporting the front of the car, any tips ?

stu