19 replies to this topic

[Pauly]

Hi guys,

Well... after finishing my Blue mini im twidling my fingers at the moment while im looking for another job.

Ever since I put my sidewalk on the road (september 07!) ive had a gear rattle in 1st, 2nd, 3rd but not in 4th. Ive put it down to the idler gear bearing as theres oil leaking from around the flywheel case (sign of a worn bearing).

Ive put up with this for 2 years now and after having it on the ramp today and seeing the bottom of the engine soaked in oil, ive finally decided that its time to do something about it, as its getting to me .

So next week the engine is coming out and gearbox off, and go from there really, its not a restoration but I thought I put it up as a progress thread, and like me, you might be intersted to see what caused the rattle .

Heres some pics of my sidewalk (these are old pics, now with added rust ).







Paul.

[Down&Out]

thats raaaaather tasty!! to be honest those are the best wheels for those arches. got some in the shed im gunna need to re-furb. looks lovely matey, keep it going

[Pauly]

Some updated pics from today. Going to start taking the engine out tomorrow.







Engine before pic.



Paul.

[Pauly]

Nearly ready to come out, just a few more bits to take off. Should be out in the next few days, could be out tomorrow but it depends if I go up the garage because of the weather.



Paul.

[Pauly]

At the end of play today .







Probably get the flywheel off tomorrow and start getting the gearbox off.

Paul.

[Pauly]

Update!!!!

Split the engine and box today after I *sarcasm* whipped the flywheel off *sarcasm* so I can start stripping the gearbox down tomorrow, coming back to the flywheel, spent all day on it only got it off after realsing that the puller must be dead straight otherwise your peeing in the wind :oops:.

Some piccies.

Engine in its current state .





After today





Paul.

[flat-eric]

great work there fella, them flywheels are a bit of a sod to get off.

keep the pics coming!

rob

[Pauly]

Update time.

Haven't updated this at all, so here goes.

Ive stripped the gearbox and didn't find anything badly worn. The 1st motion bearing did sound rough after socking it in diesel, and the layshaft and bearings where iffy.

So bought:

Main double roller bearing
1st motion bearing
layshaft
laygear needle bearings
and a gasket set.

Cleaned everything up, and it looks like a new gearbox, hopefully sound and feel like one aswell.

Just got to sort out the bearing retainer and put the diff back in aswell as the speedo housing.

Pics.



Looking messy!!



Paul.

[Pauly]

Finished the gearbox and dropped the engine back on.

Steamed cleaned the engine today and whipped the head off, all I can say is WOW!!!!

Typical a-series engine with the really economical and state of the art, rover single point injection system .



Number 1 piston is the 'one ive done earlier'





to be honest ive been having problems with the injection system, think its due to a bad earth and leaking vaccum pipes, so will replace them and see how it goes.

Paul.

[LankyJames]

What did you use to clean the gearbox?

[Pauly]

Good 'ol diesel, best cleaning fluid around .

Paul.

[Pauly]

Engines painted, just got some bits to put back on, mainly rocker cover and oil filter head, but got to get some gaskets and paint the rocker cover .

Dropping the front subframe out tomrrow so I can clean it up, dont think it needs painting as it looks in brillient nick, mainly because its been preserved in a bath of oil .

Got all the mounts for the subframe and engine from malvern, along with a new clutch plate and head gasket set.

Heres the engine currently.



Paul.

[Pauly]

Update.

I should have it back on the road by this time next week (hopefully before because of breaky meet )

Dropped the subframe out friday afternoon, looking abit dirty but ive pressure washed it and is now looking respectable, just gave it a quick puff of gloss black spray paint and is looking better.

Took the cones out because its been sitting low at the front, thought it might of been the knuckles because the cones are only 2 years old (roughly) but the cones are to blaim as they have... well collapsed, genuine cones aswell!! Dampers seem to be on their way out aswell but will pop them back on and will pick up some standard ones from Himley.

Done a bit of welding on it today, there was a hole in the inner wing where the ducting for the heater is, so ive cut it out and put a patch in there, its turned out alright but when I do the front end in the year or so time and will tidy it up better then, but for the meanwhile im happy with how it is, its my first bit of welding on a car ive done, usually hand it over to the bodywork department (dad ) but thought id give it a bash, pleased with it.

So off to minispares tomorrow morning to crab the last of my bits, then subframe built and back in, then engine back in .

Some pics for ya (I'll shut up now!)





Shot!!!





Just a normal sunday at che' paulys .



Paul.

[analogue_radio]

Nicely done! cleaning the engine makes a massive difference, can't wait to get mine out, scrubbed down and painted up!

[Junior Mini]

What happened to this? Why's it a write off?