putting it back together..(again..)

**jimnielsen** · 24-02-11, 05:32

I have started to put the engine back together again..The new one is the one with the new core plugs on the right of the first picture..

I have removed the balance shaft oil gallery plugs from the old engine and reinstalled them in the new block.

Next I filed out the bolt hole on the oil squirters so that they can be rotated a little further around to avoid them hitting the bottom of the pistons (again..). I still need to check that this actually works and does not make them hit something else.

There is not much else I can do until I receive my delivery of gaskets and bearings via the 'royal mail'.

**Steve Webb** · 24-02-11, 07:36

Good luck with the rebuild Jim, oh and with the Royal mail delivery.

**juamin** · 24-02-11, 10:47

Great job, good luck!

**SteveNZ** · 24-02-11, 12:10

Did you use your other Q4 block in the end?

**jimnielsen** · 25-02-11, 00:39

yes, steve - I did. I decided that as I had a spare block that I had better use it. Also, you have educated me on other sources for a block than the obvious Q4/Intergrale/Coupe choices. So I will keep my eye out for one, and probably try actively to get one when I have this car going again.

jim.

**SteveNZ** · 26-02-11, 12:05

Sure anytime, but you don't want to be doing it again do you Jim?

**Steve Webb** · 04-03-11, 08:29

Hows it all going Jim? Things going back together OK or is it behaving like a Q4 and throwing up loads of unforeseen probs?

**Brul(tm)** · 04-03-11, 13:59

Originally Posted by Steve Webb

or is it behaving like a Q4 and throwing up loads of unforeseen probs?

We only ar familiar with unforseen challanges aren't we

Regards,
Marc

**jimnielsen** · 05-03-11, 07:13

Steve.. the unforeseen problem has been the British Postal Service.. but they have finally decided to send me my bits and pieces - thus I have commenced to put the engine back together!

I have rotated the oil squirters around a little so that they don't hit the pistons (anymore...) you can see in one of the pics the little mark on the piston inside that the squirter was making. Also you can see some other marks where one of the squirters broke off and was happily bouncing around in there..

I hope it all goes together smoothly! The pistons seemed to go in fine, clearances look ok..

jim~

**Steve Webb** · 05-03-11, 09:09

Ahhh the Royal Mail. That explains everything.
Good luck now you have got everything.

**jimnielsen** · 06-03-11, 06:02

made a bit more progress today.. head back on tomorrow, if all goes well!

**santino** · 06-03-11, 09:37

Nice work Jim, keep it up!

**SteveNZ** · 06-03-11, 13:37

How awesome, an engine crane to fit a head!

**Brul(tm)** · 06-03-11, 15:32

Originally Posted by SteveNZ

How awesome, an engine crane to fit a head!

You forgot the awsome "garage" to work in

Regards,
Marc

**jimnielsen** · 07-03-11, 07:06

That's nothing Steve..I only used the engine crane to move it over to the block and tackle so that it can be lowered onto the block. I like to do it this way because it has very fine control over its position.. much better than the crane. I have cut the heads off from a couple of old oem bolts so I can use it as a guide system for lowing the head onto the block! You can see the five layers of the MLS gasket I am using.

Almost done now just a few 'odds and sods' then I will take the complete system.

today I..

put on the head.
put on the timing belt etc.
put on the center diff.

tomorrow its time for the gearbox.. not my favorite part of the ballet..

**jimnielsen** · 07-03-11, 07:07

and one more...

**jimnielsen** · 08-03-11, 06:28

Put the gearbox on today.. Always takes a lot of 'setup'..

I use a camera and a small hole in the bell housing so that I can actually see when the clutch lever arms have engaged properly in the throwout bearing.

Now I just have put the starter motor back on and the engine can go back in the car!!!

**jimnielsen** · 09-03-11, 06:07

Finally.. the engine is back in the car! Pretty easy to put it in this way, but still time consuming...Also attached the drive shafts and put that massive crossmember on again!

Tomorrow its wishbones, exhaust, radiator, then it will almost be ready for a first start test!

**Steve Webb** · 09-03-11, 08:02

Good work there Jim, certainly looks like everything has gone to plan, and that car lift looks bloody useful.

**jimnielsen** · 11-03-11, 06:08

That's it - its finished! Well as far as I can tell without a test run... It fired right up though so I ran it up to temp in about 15 minutes than let it cool down and changed the oil.

I am planning to take it to a drag race track quite close to where I live and test it on Monday.

Then we will see then if it is going as its supposed to!

I cant believe how time consuming reconstructing it has been. It has taken me at least 25 hours to get it from a bare block to back in the car running again.

jim..

**Steve Webb** · 11-03-11, 07:34

Good work Jim, nothing left over at the end I hope, not spare bolts etc?

Fingers crossed for the shakedown.

**jimnielsen** · 11-03-11, 08:31

no, all bolts present and accounted for. But now the datalogger has gone haywire - and I can't take the car to a track with out it! Hopefully tomorrow I can sort that too..

**juamin** · 11-03-11, 21:29

good job!! keep us updated!!

**jimnielsen** · 25-03-11, 09:59

I gave the 'new' engine the dreaded compression test (well at least I dread them!) Anyway it was spot on 200 PSI for each cylinder. So I am pleased about that....

Fixed the datalogger, changed the mineral oil that we used for bed-in to synthetic oil - and it is ready to go to Phillip Island next weekend!!