Replacement Engine project

[peteracs]

Again little progress, but did dig out the crank today’s and re measured the journals and all are as per GC book. I also dug out the bungs that seal the drilling’s for the oil ways again as per GC’s book and there was a significant amount of crud behind them.

Next job is to mod the mains oil ways, clean and polish the journals, again as per GC book. Then I need to get the replacement bungs sorted. Also need to have the block looked at to decide if the bores need taking out.

Peter

[peteracs]

Following on from GCs advice on the crank preparation, the following have arrived, 7/16 UNC tap set, 7/16 grub screws (1/2 inch long), Loctite 542 to seal them and some cutting lubricant to aid the taps. Not expecting an easy job to tap the holes given the comment in GC’s book, but hope it works out without too much drama. I did buy a decent setup of taps, ie U.K. manufactured from U.K. supplier of taps and dies……

Peter

[WestonE]

Hi Peter

Good Luck and take your time with the taps. The crank is nearly as hard as the taps making the risk of breaking one in place real.

Eric
PS not 1 grain of left over swarf is allowed in the crank. This is open heart surgery

[peteracs]

Hi Eric

Thanks, yes I took the warning from GC seriously and given the availability of 2l cranks, do not want to screw it up.

Quite a revelation just how much crud there was behind the original bungs.

Will be starting on this journey today…..

Peter

[mangocrazy]

Best of luck, Peter! Did you buy carbon steel or HSS taps? Not sure which would be better for the job - HSS is 'harder' but almost certainly more brittle.

Graham

[peteracs]

Hi Graham

Good question, did not consider different material of tap, just wanted ones from decent supplier/manufacturer. They are advertised as HSS.

So far 2 down and 2 to go without any drama which is a great result. Should get the other 2 done this afternoon.

Peter

[peteracs]

Hi

All 4 now done and very happy with the result. The crank will now go off to have a second opinion on the journals, then will get it thoroughly cleaned and then install the grub screws for the final time.

The job was not as bad as I had imagined. The main thing to look out for is that there is a lip approx 1/2” down the hole and the tap cannot go further than this, so the starter tap barely does anything other than clean the hole, the second creates a starter thread and the main work is done by the final bottoming tap. Again take care on how far down each tap goes, I marked the taps with a pen so I knew roughly when to expect it to go tight and did not force it or I would expect the tap to break.

Photo of grub screw installed temporarily.

Peter

[Nigel]

Hi Peter,
If you find crud behind the original bugs, what is the function of these galleries?
Do they gradually build up swarf from normal engine running?

I'm thinking that this exercise may require crank balancing after checking and
polishing.

Great work and something I may get to eventually.

Nigel 

[peteracs]

Hi Nigel

These holes are the entry for the cross drilling of the crank which allows oil to get from the main bearings to the big ends, but they need to be sealed up after the event or you would never get any oil pressure. The crud build up is purely a function of a dead end with oil and residue sitting in it when the engine is off.

As to balance, 100% needs to be done and in my case I am using a VX flywheel which needs refacing as well. After that will get the whole assembly with the clutch balanced.

Peter

[mangocrazy]

Hi Nigel

These holes are the entry for the cross drilling of the crank which allows oil to get from the main bearings to the big ends, but they need to be sealed up after the event or you would never get any oil pressure. The crud build up is purely a function of a dead end with oil and residue sitting in it when the engine is off.

As to balance, 100% needs to be done and in my case I am using a VX flywheel which needs refacing as well. After that will get the whole assembly with the clutch balanced.

Peter

Interesting thought - if an engine was maltreated with regards to engine oil changes (i.e. few or none), could there be a sufficient build up of crud to block or severely limit the oilways in the crank? GC did all this work on my crank. so I'm unaware of the level of crud build up in mine. Guy skimmed my VX flywheel and then balanced the fw and cranks as one. He provided mounting marks and instructions but didn't actually balance the clutch to the crank/fw. Where are you getting this work done?

Graham

[peteracs]

Hi Graham

I was going to have a talk with the guy in Clay Cross you use as he is relatively local and you had good experience. Failing that I ha e been following a company on YouTube, Barum Engines, and it was them in an older video who suggested that balancing the clutch as well was worthwhile as they can vary in balance quite a bit, depends on the clutch assembly.

Peter

[mangocrazy]

Hi Peter,

Yes I can definitely vouch for the quality of Jon's/Stanwood Engineering's work. I'm pretty sure that it was actually they who balanced my crank/fw, and GC just subbed it out. But like any good tradesman, they are booked up well ahead so best to get your name in the queue if you intend to use them. I've heard of Barum and seen some of their Youtube videos and they do seem to be good. Not heard any personal recommendations though. I've just spoken to Jon and they do offer crank + fw + clutch balancing. The assemblies are balanced individually first then balanced as a unit to finish.

Graham

[peteracs]

Hi Graham

Having seen GC workshop I would say highly likely he did not have balancer, so your comment is probably correct. I am going to ring Jon and get in the queue….

Thanks

Peter

[peteracs]

Rang Jon today, had a brief chat, he is tied up this next week, so have agreed to call week Monday and sort out a day to go over.

Peter

[mangocrazy]

Good stuff. When you go to his place you'll see just how much work he has lined up. I feel guilty every time I ring him as I know I'm stopping him from getting on with the backlog. But it will be worth it...

Graham

[peteracs]

Hi Graham

Yes, know what you mean having worked on my own for many years, most productive time was the 7:00-9:00 slot in the morning…

Peter

[peteracs]

Visited John at Stanwood engineering today in Clay Cross. Nice guy and definitely feels like the person with the knowledge and experience I do not have. As a start he is going to face the VX flywheel, check the crank journals, pressure test the VX head and look at dowelling the inlet manifold to the head. On the block he suggested having it thoroughly cleaned and derusted which he does not do as he sold the tank etc he had to a company in Gainsborough, Racestoration. I therefore hit the road and the went over to them on my way back home. Another accommodating company, it should be ready by mid next week. All in all a positive experience. My work with John is in the queue, so not expecting any news soon!!

One other good recommendation John made was a rolling road where he takes his race car. They are MJB based in Brigg, North Lincs.

[mangocrazy]

Peter,

Good stuff - glad to hear you were comfortable with giving Jon your parts to work on. If Guy Croft subbed work out to them, that's as good an endorsement as I've heard. I've got to ring Jon in early July and I might suggest that I take certain parts to Racestoration to speed things up. The rolling road recommendation is good to know as well; I'll bear that in mind for the future.

Graham

[peteracs]

Hi Graham

I had been looking for a recommendation in the Lincs/Notts area and only heard of a couple, one being John Vessey in North Lincs, turns out MJB are the guys from Vessey who have setup on their own. From what Jon has said, they are happy with DTA ECUs, though would need to check before committing to one.

Peter

[peteracs]

Another run around day…. Main reason was reverse of journey to collect block now all dipped/clean and deliver to Stanwood engineering for Jon to do his magic. Once we know what overbore size then I can get on with buying the pistons etc.

Peter