767 replies to this topic

[Sleeping Park Lane]

Oh Hell no, not the news I wanted to read when I popped back to this thread.

Really sorry to hear this, but full marks for cracking on and enjoying Le Mans.

[daveb99]

Sorry to hear this! I bet everyone who follows this is just as gutted as you are

[Chris1992]

Sorry to hear this! I bet everyone who follows this is just as gutted as you are

 

Oh Hell no, not the news I wanted to read when I popped back to this thread.

Really sorry to hear this, but full marks for cracking on and enjoying Le Mans.

 

Thanks guys! I really appreciate the support. It was indeed an absolute corker of a weekend. Always the highlight of my year.

 

 

I should probably stick an update up since it's been a while! Rest assured, I haven't lost faith in this car, it was just the photobucket fiasco which put me off updating, but it all seems to be working now! The pics just take a minute to load.

 

So back to the Mini, within 2 days of being back from Le Mans, I had the engine out, and trecked off down to see the boys at KAD in Kent. The engine is now in their possession. It's not going to be cheap, and I won't know how much work needs doing until they get to my slot in the queue, but at least I know it's in capable hands. I'm just hoping and praying it doesn't need a rebore!!

 

Not much to report other than that! I do have a few pics to post, but you'll have to wait as I can't be arsed at the moment   

[Chris1992]

Update time! Lot's to report on, so here we go... 

 

As you may well remember, my engine went kaboooom on the way to Le Mans this year, which resulted in me pulling it out and taking it down to KAD where it was worked on by Arnold. I must say they have done an absolutely fantastic job, they even had a go at rebuilding my carbs too, which STILL don't run properly, so I'm binning them in favour of a good old HIF44. Nice and simple. 

 

The engine is all back in now and the car is running well since I nicked the carbs off my dad's Frogeye. This meant that I was actually able to meet one of my deadlines for once, and got the car to Players show over the weekend, where I had a pre-approved spot in the VIP hanger. Chuffed!! 

 

Anyway, time for a few pics. 

 

The sump plug shows that something nasty definitely happened, lots of big flakes in there

 

 

Getting the lump out.

 

 

While it was away at KAD, I figured I would take apart my speedo to figure out why that wasn't working, especially after the bloody needle fell off... 

 

 

This is what I found... Buggar, got myself a new speedo so all is well, although my fuel gauge still doesn't work.

 

 

Meanwhile, a few pics of my engine cropped up on KAD's Instagram.

 

 

This is where I became very excited 

 

Then the day came, I picked up the engine.

 

 

It's bloody good, they even stamped it.

 

 

Here is part of an email I got from Arnold which shows the extent of whats been done:

 

The number 3 rod is dead, it's got so hot that it's started to melt and changed shape. Crank also has excessive end float, thrusts are worn and have started to eat into the crank. Can all be corrected with the grind and custom thrusts. Bearings are all on there last legs.

I have a good used set of A+ later type rods and pistons we can use. Much better than what you have.

Camshaft and followers are also knackered.

List of parts is as follows - 

Crank re-grind 
Mains 
Big ends
Thrusts 
ARP Rod Bolts 
S/H Pistons and Rods 
Piston Rings 
Cam Followers 
KAD Road100 Billet X/D Cam 
Cam thrust 
1300 Oil Pump 
Duplex timing gears 
Gasket set 
Water Pump 
Centre Oil Pick-up Pipe 
Dyno Test inc Fuel and Oil 

 

It officially makes 75hp at the fly with nearly 80ft/lbs of torque which I'm dead chuffed with  It's not a crazy engine spec, but all I wanted was something solid and reliable. 

 

In terms of what caused it, I couldn't believe it when he told me... Apparently the last person to have the engine apart had left a rag in the gearbox, which blocked up the oil pickup pipe! 

 

Anyway, now a few photos from the show. I had such a good spot! 

 

 

That's all for now, I have more plans in the works, but I'll be slowing down and tucking her away soon as winter approaches. 

Edited by Chris1992, 19 September 2017 - 01:59 PM.

[Will16]

Wow Looks stunning man, killer work, wish I'd bothered going Players now! Thats a good power figure from a mostly standard motor, enjoy it now 

[RaulSims]

It is hard to believe that someone in this planet could forget rag inside the gearbox .. but it looks like you were the "lucky" one ..

Regarding the pics, well i'm speechless .. gorgeous, wished mine had a "stanced presence" like yours .. Congrats!

[Jared Mk3]

Beautiful 

[Twilton]

Very nice man, great photos!

[Baldspeed Racing]

good to see she is sorted dude, missed your updates as like the car a lot

[Daviewonder]

If I had a round nose I'd want it to look like this. There's nothing about it that I don't like. 

 

Glad it's all sorted now mate.

[Chris1992]

Thanks a lot chaps! It's always nice to hear good feedback after so much pain and anguish with this bloody thing 

 

 

Wow Looks stunning man, killer work, wish I'd bothered going Players now! Thats a good power figure from a mostly standard motor, enjoy it now 

 

Lazy git!  It was such a quality show, although I'll admit it was bloody freezing! haha. Cheers dude, will do. 

 

 

It is hard to believe that someone in this planet could forget rag inside the gearbox .. but it looks like you were the "lucky" one ..

Regarding the pics, well i'm speechless .. gorgeous, wished mine had a "stanced presence" like yours .. Congrats!

 

 

I couldn't believe it either! I've gt the rag and it's literally encrusted with metal shavings... Thanks a lot mate, Your's is stunning too! I would be very proud of the stance you have if I were you 

 

Beautiful 

Very nice man, great photos!

 

Thanks guys!

 

good to see she is sorted dude, missed your updates as like the car a lot

 

Thanks mate, I'll try and be a bit more regular with the updates! (famous last words lol) 

 

If I had a round nose I'd want it to look like this. There's nothing about it that I don't like. 

 

Glad it's all sorted now mate.

 

ahh cheers dude, that means a lot! Hows your clubby coming along? 

[RaulSims]

Thanks mate! Have you heard about IMM next year? It will be in Portugal, maybe we can put them together

https://www.facebook...&type=3

[Daviewonder]

 

If I had a round nose I'd want it to look like this. There's nothing about it that I don't like. 
 
Glad it's all sorted now mate.

 
ahh cheers dude, that means a lot! Hows your clubby coming along?

 

Incredibly slowly. 

 

I've just bought a boot floor this week actually. Hope to make a bit of progress soon.

[MrBounce]

Chris this now looks awesome. I simply cannot believe that someone left a rag inside the gearbox! Now I am no engineer but I like to think that when I take something apart I make a note of where it should go back to and what should NOT be in there! Still, sounds like they did you a favour considering the state of what they found...

[Homersimpson]

Chris this now looks awesome. I simply cannot believe that someone left a rag inside the gearbox! Now I am no engineer but I like to think that when I take something apart I make a note of where it should go back to and what should NOT be in there! Still, sounds like they did you a favour considering the state of what they found...

I once saw a rebuilt gearbox where the 'specialist' had made their own gasket for the oil pickup pipe and forgot to put the hole in the middle.

 

The result was the engine having to be removed again.

 

Anything that involves a human element is open to failure.