Okay. I've been quiet on here for a bit but it's all a lie, because in actual fact, lots has happened.
Cleaned out the bay. Even took out the lower subframe completely to clean it and around the PS ram, installed new "P" bushes on my track arms (getting those things off were a bastard until the grinder came out). I have one that may have been knocked in a couple of extra mm but I' gathering it'll be okay as there's some room to move there.
Another bastard was the rear engine mount. I even had to devise a little jig with a cavity to press the new one in without pressing on the inner area. I took it to a guy originally and he said he wouldn't touch aluminum as it shatters....? Got there in the end on my own, even after bending the g-clamp rotating rod.
Installed big end bearings, new pistons (ring gap good), clutch plate, etc. By the way, what's with the manual using that crazy shim alignment device to install the first main cap? I understand the hockey seals are meant to be pressed super tight but surely you can slide it into place and use a bit of sealant?? Anyway, fingers crossed it's sealed well.
I torqued up the head today. 7dA + 160 degrees. Geeez it's tight. Had the extension bar on it. There was a bit of a debacle about the E14 female torx bit. I bought one that wouldn't fit down the cavity, so at first I felt out a 11mm metric on it for a bit. Worked until about 90 degrees on stage 3 and pssssssssss, I started to distort the head of the bolt. Forked out $60 for the set to use the one socket. Oh well. But, success. No snapped bolts or even creaking! It's really nerve racking.
Did up the cam caps and fitted the new seals. I gathered on the 1st and 5th sealant is required (where the rocket cover doesn't sit over it?). I forgot if my original had sealant remains there. One quick question. I have the paper gasket for the vacuum pump thing on the side of the head, but no gasket for the water distributor. Does it exist or is it just a sealant job too?
Anyway, will upload some photos soon.
Cleaned out the bay. Even took out the lower subframe completely to clean it and around the PS ram, installed new "P" bushes on my track arms (getting those things off were a bastard until the grinder came out). I have one that may have been knocked in a couple of extra mm but I' gathering it'll be okay as there's some room to move there.
Another bastard was the rear engine mount. I even had to devise a little jig with a cavity to press the new one in without pressing on the inner area. I took it to a guy originally and he said he wouldn't touch aluminum as it shatters....? Got there in the end on my own, even after bending the g-clamp rotating rod.
Installed big end bearings, new pistons (ring gap good), clutch plate, etc. By the way, what's with the manual using that crazy shim alignment device to install the first main cap? I understand the hockey seals are meant to be pressed super tight but surely you can slide it into place and use a bit of sealant?? Anyway, fingers crossed it's sealed well.
I torqued up the head today. 7dA + 160 degrees. Geeez it's tight. Had the extension bar on it. There was a bit of a debacle about the E14 female torx bit. I bought one that wouldn't fit down the cavity, so at first I felt out a 11mm metric on it for a bit. Worked until about 90 degrees on stage 3 and pssssssssss, I started to distort the head of the bolt. Forked out $60 for the set to use the one socket. Oh well. But, success. No snapped bolts or even creaking! It's really nerve racking.
Did up the cam caps and fitted the new seals. I gathered on the 1st and 5th sealant is required (where the rocket cover doesn't sit over it?). I forgot if my original had sealant remains there. One quick question. I have the paper gasket for the vacuum pump thing on the side of the head, but no gasket for the water distributor. Does it exist or is it just a sealant job too?
Anyway, will upload some photos soon.
