655 replies to this topic

[MiniLandy]

Is it a 998 or 1275? If a 998, i'd suspct tappet chest covers.

If not, i'd say rocker cover gasket. Get a new one, glue it to the rocker cover, and make sure it fits perfectly all the way round (easier said than done!).

Good luck.

[bcjames]

It's a 1275 MPi. Rocker cover looks fine, there's not a trace above the level where the head meets the block.

Edit: It's the third one it's had in as many weeks.

Edited by bcjames, 21 August 2011 - 12:05 PM.

[bcjames]

Latest is the head is off again. I didn't notice anything jumping out at me that would mean oil leaked down the back, but I have taken the head up to MRA for Martin to check it over, make sure it's actually flat etc

While I'm waiting for that to come back, I thought I'd paint my block. The bits you can see anyway. Being an MPi, this is really awkward unless you strip a lot of bits off, so while it's in bits I pulled off the last few items in the way and cracked on. Several patience testing hours later, a first coat is on! I also touched up the servo, and might do the upper mount too.


Cleaned by bcjamesmini, on Flickr


Painted! by bcjamesmini, on Flickr

Edited by bcjames, 27 August 2011 - 07:49 PM.

[bcjames]

So, one minute you're contemplating painting your brake drums to smarten them up, next thing, this happens:


It's out! by bcjamesmini, on Flickr

I had been soaking the bolts for a few weeks, but one still snapped. Its broken at the head, so I still have a stud sticking out to try and get out Heelboard, aside a few stone chip type knocks, is all solid. I'm very thankful for that! I'll rub that down and re-stonechip and paint it.

Subframe is to be stripped, derusted, and repainted

And I still don't have my engine complete again yet!

Edited by bcjames, 27 August 2011 - 07:47 PM.

[bcjames]

The heelboard. It's all solid under the underseal and muck, save a couple of surface rust patches by the subframe mounts.



Tidy by bcjamesmini, on Flickr

Tomorrows job, try and get this out!



Schnap by bcjamesmini, on Flickr

Edited by bcjames, 27 August 2011 - 07:50 PM.

[bcjames]

Nooooo! by bcjamesmini, on Flickr

[MiniLandy]

Aaaah mate, that's gutting! This is the reason I haven't whipped my rear subby out yet...

Is it helicoilable?

[bcjames]

Not really, it's just a nut on the other side. I've drilled it, there's hardly any bolt left but it won't budge!

[MiniLandy]

Bugger...

If it were me, I'd cut out the plate immediately around the nut, and weld in a new peice of plate with a new nut welded to it. Drastic, but a proper job.

[bcjames]

That was my plan, but I played with it a bit longer. Given chop and weld was looking to be the only option, I went one drill bit size bigger than I dared, all or nothing!

Anyway, the picture will explain my grin



Two bolts! by bcjamesmini, on Flickr

I think I need to get a tap to run down it as the bolt doesn't go in smoothly by hand. But what a feeling when that seized bolt finally collapsed!

All the abuse to the area has also shown it's nicely solid around there

Tomorrows job, or later if I feel like it, strip the subframe.

[bcjames]

After a snapped bolt, rusted bolts, lots of plusgas and map gas, the rear subframe is finally stripped! Pulling the remnants of the drilled out bolt out, very gently, the tip of my pliers gave way



Snapped tip by bcjamesmini, on Flickr

Wonder if they'll warranty them!

[bcjames]

I feel like I'm making proper progress now after a tedious day of snapped bolts! The rear subframe is looking a lot better now. Crusty bits ground, rusty bits treated, and ready for a top coat now. Annoyingly, I can't find anywhere locally that sells a decent chassis black, so I'll have to next-day it from Frosts. Today I still have the radius arms and associated parts to play with.


Rear subframe by bcjamesmini, on Flickr

Excuse the mess in the photo, with half the engine bay out and then the rear too, the garage is getting a bit crammed!

Edited by bcjames, 30 August 2011 - 08:29 AM.

[MaxAndPaddy]

Enjoyed reading this you've done an amazing job on her..... will Florence be back on the road for Stanford?

[bcjames]

Thank you!

Stanford hall is the deadline. Aside a couple of London trips I'm 'working' from home, so it should be achievable! I'll be ordering parts today

[bcjames]

So a good and bad day today! Good first:

Found a can of chassis black in the garage so I painted the subframe. Ran out just before the end so finished a couple of bits with some Hammerite. Came up really nice.


Subframe painted by bcjamesmini, on Flickr

In less than good news, the radius arms aren't too great. The arms themselves don't look too bad, still have paint on, but the shafts are completely pitted rusted, and marked from the roller bearing.


Radius arms by bcjamesmini, on Flickr

Top on is still a bit greasy but the bottom one here is completely cleaned, and completely fubar.


Shafts by bcjamesmini, on Flickr

So it still looks like this for today:

Still all in bits by bcjamesmini, on Flickr

I hope I can remember how to put it all back together

Edited by bcjames, 30 August 2011 - 04:21 PM.