So stripped some of the engine parts off today and in the freezing cold, plus been watching Nigel's 131 engine builds and ready my GC book. Lots to think about and take in.
Parts off today - breather housing, water pump and tube, tensioner bearing (it does need replacing, it seemed fine when I did the cambelt in the summer). I cleaned up the pistons a little, and oiled the bores. Next I am going to see if I can get the broken cam tensioner bolt out, then a new bearing. I might try a dry run with the SS coolant tube I bought from Alan, and replace a bunch of coolant hoses.
After sleeping on it for a few days, for this rebuild I will buy new Ribe studs and a full gasket set. Maybe when I look at the engine further in the future I will look at more performance oriented parts?
Re: the head. Option one is pay someone to check it out and do a full head rebuild, option two is get it skimmed locally and do the rest myself? Either way I am going to strip it myself and give it a good clean and get the prices. If I can I will do it myself I think. I am going to chat to a local engineering company on Monday. So far I have been quoted £50 for the skim.
My plan was always just get the car running for 2026 and as economically as possible and get out there and have some fun (not that I dont find all this work fun
). I did a total of all the parts purchased so far and its a bigger amount than I imagined. Pretty much all of it is just to make the car be safe and more reliable, well mostly ;-)
