Project Rescue

[immortality]

It's amazing what a few hours outside in the sun can do for ones morale.

The rain went away, stoked a fire and been enjoying the quiet out the back of my place.

Pork smells awesome, tending the fire and relaxing.

[Gareth]

[immortality]

Cheers mate. Feeling much more motivated this arvo, so pulled finger.

First job was to relieve the oil gallery going into the block and modify the gasket. Also fitted the balance shaft retainer and gear.

I used a foam ear plug to block the gallery and stop shit going in the wrong place.

Job all done.

Next was the timing chain. the lower sprocket was fucking tight going on. The old lower sprocket made a perfect spacer to help tap it on.

Used 450mm breaker bar to make sure it was tight.

And fitted the timing chain tensioner.

[immortality]

Then it was time to sort out the timing cover. First job was to find all the bolts and clean em up. The 4 bolts for the water pump are stuffed, it looks like no sealant was used on the threads when the WP was changed. I'll have to find replacements for those.

I smurfed the gasket...

Changed the oil seal on the timing cover. I also noticed the oil pump gear has a timing mark. have never noticed before.

And put it all together.

And torqued up the bolts. I also polished and oiled the locating pins. If/when I take the cover off again I don't want to spend time getting it loose again.

By this time my pulled pork was done so it was time to clean up and put on some weight!

[immortality]

Last day off work so last chance to make a bit of progress. All going well I'll have it running early next week (after I finish my shifts in the asylum).

First job of the day was to button up the sump. Climbed under the car and was shocked, god damn bloody mess under there. Buttoned up the sump and set to scrubbing with a can of degreaser. I do remember running our of degreaser before the lockdown so might explain why I hadn't done it earlier.

Hosed it down and then used more degreaser to have a 2nd go. Still going to need another go but looking a lot better.

[Gareth]

Getting close now

[immortality]

Next job was to start dressing the front of the motor.

And get the balancer on. Gave everything a good once over, oiled the seal and crank snout and pressed the bugger home.

With my 600mm breaker bar and home made holding tool for the balancer it doesn't take much effort to get 300Nm+ of torque on the balancer bolt.

I made this tool many moons ago and works brilliantly. Interestingly enough, many years later when I got a hold of the factory service manual they show that exact tool to hold the balancer. And my favourite pair of Vice grips to hold the tool whilst torquing it up.

Feeling fairly grubby after my grease shower under the car so it's time to clean up, have lunch.

[immortality]

Getting close now

Definitely. Hope to make some broom broom noises next week.

[immortality]

Got a few more bits bolted on, most of the front of the motor is complete bar the alternator.

Spent ages searching through the remaining parts for the trim piece that holds the DFI module loom but couldn't find one anywhere. Checking early pictures it looks like it didn't have one when I bought it.

Never mind, did a bit of searching through old V6 parts boxes and found one

Getting ever closer now. Bearing on the tensioner idler needs doing but it's not critical (yeah right).

[immortality]

Time to get some more shit bolted on. First job was to change out the injectors with a set that came from a running car. One of the OG injectors looks fairly shit.

Then I spent ages looking for the bloody purge valve, got that fitted and then fitted the plenum, a little vaseline on the injector O rings and she slid right into place.