The engine's out

[G96LUE]

Hi all.
Today the weather was fantastic so i got to do what i have been waiting to do since last year, that is get the bonnet off and get the engine out for a strip down to see where all those bits of metal came from.
I started at 08:00 and it was out at 17:00. I am pleased i got it out in a day, but could have done it even quicker. I got held up trying to undo the clamp holding the down pipe to the manifold. it took me a while to get it on last year. It took me two hours to get it off today.
more fun tomorrow when i start the strp down.

[G96LUE]

Bugger

The strip down went well to begin with, but the trouble came when i got to the clutch.
It apears that the flywheel bolt had become lose the the flywheel has been spinning a bit and had welded itself to the crank.
it took me over an hour to get it off with the extractor and a big hammer.
The up side is that the main & big end bearings were ok.
I don't know if the end can be repaired, so i suspect it will be a new crank & flywheel, or even a new engine (avonbar 1380 turbo?? )

I will keep you all up to date with things as they progress.

[G96LUE]

BUM!!!

Spoke to avonbar & med today regarding the crank & flywheel.
I also asked about a new set of rings for my pistons as they were a little wet on top. i thought it might have been from the turbo.
they suggested popping out the wet piston and seeing if there is any carbon under the rings near the gudgeon pin, however if it needed rings they are no longer available for my pistons (ID6 20831).
I popped out the wet one and look what i found.

The ring was in several pieces.
I thought, lets try rover justin case one of the remaining branches had some in stock, however look what i found next.

on closer inspection i found that the gap looked a little wide where the ring had come from. this was because it was cracked about half way round
this would now mean a re-bore and new pistons, new crank, flywheel centre, beaings as well as other odds & sods.
in total, about the same as a full engine kit .
it looks like i won't be going down the strip this year at avon park as it won't be run in. i will have to see about mitp - santa pod. it might have enough miles for some gentle runs, but i will have to wait and see.

Oh by the way, i did find out what the strips of metal were. In the breather on the timing chain cover there is a metal gause (like a heavy duty brillo pad. well at least there should be. Mine had dropped down the breather and was slowly dropping bits into the timing chain.
The good news is that it doesn't appear to have done any damage to the gear box.

anyway here are the photo's

[G96LUE]

I have ordered the new engine.
i went for the 1310cc MED engine in the end.
they could have done a 1380 for the same price, but they recommended the smaller size to keep the relability of the gearbox, so i decided to take their advice.
with the extra cc's i am hoping to get over 100bhp, but i will have to wait until it has been run in to find out.
it ll take about 2 weeks to manufacture, so i have a couple of weeks of cleaning up the other bits.
i will take some photo's as it is built and add them when i get chance.

i hope i am keeping you all entertained.

Regards

Darren

[G96LUE]

Got the new engine on Wednesday, got home at 12:30 and Started the build. Fitted a central oil pick up too.
This is as far as i got when i got at 18:30.

i'm hoping for a few dry hours over the weekend to finish it off and even get it back under the bonnet.

[olitheminiman]

You will get over 100bhp trust me matey!!
My old Mini was a 1310 non turbo and that was putting out 102

[kayball]

Looks nice Daren. Have you got a new flywheel? I should imagine that the original is not too good on its inside bore!
Kayball

[G96LUE]

Hi All

Here is todays pic.
It is just about ready to pop back in tomorrow.
Peter, yes it has a new lightened flywheel. the old one was toast.

Regards

Darren

[G96LUE]

The engine is back in. i started putting it back id at 11:30 this morning, and was held up by visitors for 2 hours.
Its almost done.
Just need to tighten up the lower stabiliser arm bolts, put some cable ties on the inner cv's, fit the plenum chamber, fuel pipes, some breather pipes, alternator, replace the clutch slave as the old one was dribbling a bit, and refit the bonet. then try to get it running, which should be fun.

Anyway, here is today's photo.

Ps, does anyone have a spare vent valve (the red or grey egg shaped unit which joins three vent pipes into the air intake up by the wiper motor). unfortunately i broke off the small pipe union on mine and cant find one anywhere.

[G96LUE]

Nearly Done
Only a few items left to put back on.