|
Title: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on August 27, 2010, 11:14:50 PM thanks to our good friend Steve Thompson some progress being made on the VX another 8 years and it might be finished!! Here is the special tool for anti roll bar installation in action.....
(http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/volumex/100_0063.jpg?t=1282947001) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/volumex/100_0064.jpg?t=1282947001) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/volumex/100_0061.jpg?t=1282947001) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/volumex/100_0060.jpg?t=1282947001) just the offside sill, front offside suspension, front crossmember, engine recommissioning and a full bare metal respray oh and put everything that was taken off 8 years ago back on (now where did I put ...and how on earth did that fit....) and it's finished....... Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: Neil-yaj396 on August 28, 2010, 07:59:35 AM Once again, nice to see some clean suspension. Hope you can crack on now. The sill you passed to me is hopefully going on in the next cuople of weeks, then the MOT.
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on September 06, 2010, 08:06:50 AM (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/volumex/DSCF1297.jpg)
(http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/volumex/DSCF1300.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/volumex/DSCF1296.jpg) first time pushed out the garage in years looks too high at the back hoping that's just suspension needing to settle! lots more to do off side sill front crossmember etc etc.....and then we need to get it running..... Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: RickyJ on September 06, 2010, 08:23:28 AM Looking good, Nice wheels BTW - Are they Alleycats?
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on September 06, 2010, 10:46:26 PM Looking good, Nice wheels BTW - Are they Alleycats? not entirely sure I think they are German made Intra-Exip however the KBA approval number doesn't seem to be Exip but they are very very similar, whatever they have a nice deep dish the most important attribute on both Beta alloys and apple pies!! They do need a rim refurb but I'm hoping they'll look the biz. Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: WestonE on September 08, 2010, 05:28:14 PM Fantastic to see a VX coming together keep it going guys.
It is amazing to see my old wheels alive and well! They are not Alley Cats they are K&N 7x15 and were rare years ago, but they are really light compared to most options. Eric Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: Harpo on October 14, 2010, 12:29:23 AM Keep the photos coming please!
Great inspiration for us all. I have plans for my VX, but summer seems to be gone (too busy out on the bike!) and the colder weather isn't far away now. I'm looking for a way to keep an area of the garage heated so that work can carry on over the darker months. Let's get these cracking cars back on the road! Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on October 14, 2010, 08:19:58 AM no pictures but at the moment the offside hub and wishbone is off fitting new wishbone wheel bearing refurbished brake calliper various bushes track rod end etc I built up a small pile of spares over the years the idea being that we would renew as much as possible on the car with regard to suspension/brakes and so on. Oh and the engine mount on the cambelt side has had it too luckily i have a new one lurking in a box somewhere ;D
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on October 14, 2010, 06:03:03 PM couple of pictures not that they really explain much
(http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/mgtf/DSCF1911.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/mgtf/DSCF1912.jpg) Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on May 02, 2011, 11:32:17 PM (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/100_0100.jpg?t=1304372223)
(http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/th_100_0105.jpg?t=1304374866) progress still slow other jobs taking priority such as gardening, repairing the cars that usually do work when they are not etc..... the offside sill is cut off inner sill is not too bad aside from bottom edge and both extremities, the horizontal section that meets the floor is a mess of rough rusty repairs and also needs chopping out. This side is a lot worse than the nearside which in my experience is typical of Lancias. I have separated the spare engine from its subframe and gearbox whilst the engine in the car was (is??) OK i might opt for the spare as it has had a refurbed head, bottom end bearings and so on fitted not long before the car was scrapped so may be a better bet although I don't know the quality of the work. Subframe appears better than the one in the car at least in that the dents are not so big!! Anyone ever seen a beta subframe that doesn't have dents?? So maybe I will build up the spare engine and subframe and then swap them over. As usual thanks to Steve Thompson for help with welding, mechanical bits and his encyclopaedic knowledge of Beta repair technique trivia. Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: MattNoVAT on May 08, 2011, 03:19:01 PM Great progress so far, keep at it and she'll start to come together very quickly!
Nice to see others getting motivated.... hopefully a good turnout of high quality Betas for the 40th Anniversary? Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on May 08, 2011, 10:08:37 PM Great progress so far, keep at it and she'll start to come together very quickly! Nice to see others getting motivated.... hopefully a good turnout of high quality Betas for the 40th Anniversary? cutting all this stuff off is quite scary but at least it kind of looks like it is getting somewhere, as soon as the sill is done it's subframe and engine gearbox out ...to think it all started with some minor welding for the rear turrets..........I am really hoping it'll be done for next year but there are a lot of conflicting demand from the wife and a lack of funds to contend with as well. It needs to be done though getting to be an embarrassment. Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on June 12, 2011, 07:50:17 PM Steve is doing a truly magnificent job with the offside sill and floor, it is 2000% worse than the other side and has needed some rather involved and complex repairs
(http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/DSCF2251.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/DSCF2253.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/DSCF2254.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/DSCF2259.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/DSCF2263.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/DSCF2264.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/DSCF2265.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/DSCF2267.jpg) meanwhile I have made zero real progress on the spare engine....... ::) (http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KjNl28WVFGA/TfRvTyQOlQI/AAAAAAAAAp4/dsl96qBE0UA/s1600/IMG00268-20110604-1525.jpg) (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BdeyQU6nGUE/TfRvW2ZOS5I/AAAAAAAAAqA/bU0xjQMsoP8/s1600/IMG00313-20110611-1329.jpg) Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: MattNoVAT on June 12, 2011, 11:05:09 PM I'm jealous !
Everyone seems to be working hard on their cars and I can't :( Still I made myself feel better by going to Sears and buying some tools. A great moment wheeling the car out the garage..... I bet you had a smile on you face. I've seem the special tool in the Lancia dealer manual - any chance you can post up the details like length and post pics of the ends. I may make my own. Keep up the good work - it'll be on the road in no time :) Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on June 28, 2011, 09:40:48 PM sorry for late reply been on hols, I'll see what i can do to measure the tool, it works a treat making a **** of a job into easy peasy. no progress with car for nearly 4 weeks now though
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: MattNoVAT on June 28, 2011, 10:36:12 PM Would appreciate the specs of that tool very much.
Holidays are for spending time with the family - It can't all be fun and motor cars! Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on July 13, 2011, 08:12:19 AM not had time to check that tool but haven't forgotten, I've made little progress lately the wife thought it was better to visit IKEA on sunday and buy new wardrobes that we don't really need >:( Steve has done a lot more welding on the os sill and floor all I've done is took the head off the spare engine which I am pleased to say looks as tip top condition as I'd hoped so it'll be going into the car. Standard vx heads used stretch bolts and astradur gaskets I have a spesso racing gasket for it that I acquired off eBay some time ago (just looked at the current price on those over £150 I'm rather glad I bought when I did!) anyone know with this gasket if stretch bolts are applicable or not and what torquing procedure should be used if not?
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on July 16, 2011, 03:42:46 PM sill blasted and painted ready to go on! looks quite posh the panel will be cut down to fit we are not ambitious enough to fit the whole piece!
(http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/100_0118.jpg?t=1310827071) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/100_0128.jpg?t=1310827260) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/100_0125.jpg?t=1310827295) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/100_0129.jpg?t=1310827320) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/100_0119.jpg?t=1310827177) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/100_0120.jpg?t=1310827195) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/100_0121.jpg?t=1310827211) Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: WestonE on July 16, 2011, 03:52:43 PM RossaCorsa
Yes the VX used an Astradur polymer head gasket, but it used conventional head bolts not the later Integrale/ Tipo diesel Torx stetch type. First it is essential to clean the head bolt threads in the block with a Tap (or an old head bolt with 4 tidy vertical slots cuts). This is so corrosion from the water jacket does not mess up the torque figures and result in some bolts to tight and some lose. If you do not do this you are at serious risk of one snapping in service (I have had this happen). I recommend buying NEW head bolts as old ones have a very high failure rate and it is not a job to do twice if you can avoid it. Eric PLease see the attached advice sheet from GC Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on July 16, 2011, 04:04:40 PM actually I have an official workshop manual that shows the torquing sequence of an argenta vx and that is stretch style sequence so I think VX used stretch bolts but with hex heads, the engine I have has been rebuilt and has later style ribe headed bolts fitted I'm fairly sure they've only been used once but I may well splash out on 12.9 ones from GC. Funds are very tight and I can't really afford to do a proper job on it just the best with limited resources. Lucky me though my wife, step daughter and mother have pooled resources and bought me the latest GC book for my birthday so I will soon be well informed will start reading it today ;D
Alan Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on July 24, 2011, 10:17:59 PM the sill is nearly ready to fit good job I bought this OE one off Eric Weston last year as the corrosion was way way worse than it looked indeed most of the car has been a bit like that :-[ tbh it was probably really only fit for scrap so the intensive care will have saved a Beta (if we ever get it finished). i have been stripping down parts from the engine in the car the inlet manifold is well and truly stuck on so I'm having bother getting it and the supercharger off I think I might have to take it off along with the head and separate them on a bench.
(http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/DSCF3225.jpg?t=1311542118) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/DSCF3226.jpg?t=1311542156) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/DSCF3227.jpg?t=1311542204) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/DSCF3228.jpg?t=1311542233) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/DSCF3231.jpg?t=1311542258) Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: MattNoVAT on July 25, 2011, 07:28:31 AM Keep up the good work, at least you are now starting to offer up new bits and the "reconstruction" is starting. The stripping down can get a bit disheartening but fingers crossed your through the worst of it now.
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: WestonE on July 25, 2011, 07:02:25 PM It is great to see that panel getting used where it should. I will try to bring the other side to the LMC AGM, but not sure how it will fit in my Montecarlo!!
Eric Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on July 25, 2011, 07:54:45 PM It is great to see that panel getting used where it should. I will try to bring the other side to the LMC AGM, but not sure how it will fit in my Montecarlo!! Eric for someone with a rusty nearside sill it will be a bargain those complex curvy bits are not easy to replicate! Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on September 09, 2011, 11:24:16 PM a few random pics will post more tomorrow when I've been to take some more snaps. Progress is still as and when but we've tried the new door in the aperture and it fits!! ;D still lots to do engine to sort out, parts to source etc.... but it's looking good for a 2012 finish
(http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/100_0136.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/DSCF3236.jpg?t=1315606679) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/DSCF3229.jpg?t=1311541799) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/DSCF3227.jpg?t=1311541766) Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on September 11, 2011, 10:31:40 PM I know this doesn't LOOK like progress but getting to the stage where the sill is 100% right and can be welded is a real milestone
(http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/100_0161.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/100_0162.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/100_0163.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/100_0164.jpg) disorganised chaos!!! ... junk all over due to lack of space and the constant need to repair the day to day cars doesn't help with progressing the Beta though (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/100_0138.jpg) Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on September 11, 2011, 10:38:26 PM Would appreciate the specs of that tool very much. Holidays are for spending time with the family - It can't all be fun and motor cars! I haven't forgotten about this just got side tracked with other things will really try to do it this week update....failed AGAIN more jobs in the home instead damn and blast! Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on October 23, 2011, 10:08:52 PM some repairs inside to the strut turrets/wheelarch and I've started dismantling the engine prior to removing the rest on its subframe. Intend to mix 'n' match parts from my parts stash, the spare engine (which will be going in) and this engine etc. to make the best assembly possible without breaking the bank. there is some welding to be done on the front cross-member then engine bay needs prepping for paint, it will be a non standrad colour as the whole household find the grey very drab.
(http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/DSCF3425.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/DSCF3424.jpg?t=1319403747) It's at that turning point stage at the moment looks a bit of a mess but hopefully the junk will come together and it will start to look like a real car Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on November 12, 2011, 07:49:53 PM engine out........
(http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/DSCF3435.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/DSCF3442.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/DSCF3443.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/DSCF3444.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/DSCF3447.jpg?t=1321123317) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/DSCF3451.jpg) Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: raz1966 on November 12, 2011, 08:34:22 PM you need a bigger garage mate
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: MattNoVAT on November 12, 2011, 10:52:36 PM We all need bigger garages!!
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on November 13, 2011, 12:05:20 AM you need a bigger garage mate Don't we all although it's not all that small (about 28ft long) but could do with being wider. It's partly an optical illusion due to the amount of Lancia junk crushed in there the tool cabinet and various shelves of oils, polish etc can't go at the back of the garage because of all the spares off the car that live there. It used to be much worse than it is now, when I still had a 2000HF it was really crammed full of spare parts off several cars that I had broken for spares I'm still not sure how I fitted it all in. Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on December 04, 2011, 02:18:14 PM checked my credit card balances and I think I'm going to put off much further progress at the moment, it's amazing how all the bits n bobs that just must be changed add up and there's no way it could be finished for the 40th. Steve has promised me a loan of his spider for that event so at least alls well on that front ;D and that way he'll have both his Betas there. I'm going to do a bit of work on the engine before summer using the bits I already have but that's all for now folks!
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on December 31, 2011, 10:37:56 AM well I have tidied the back of the garage up vacuumed up as much dust and muck as posible and put up a polythene sheet screen to seal it off from the rest of the garage and keep the heat from my little electric heater in. So now I have a relatively clean and toasty area to work on the engine ;D. Slow progress but I've got as far as dismantling the oil pump, this appears in fine order with clearances within tolerance although it is maybe slightly slack where the gears mesh together.
(http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/DSCF3559.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/DSCF3552.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/DSCF3553.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/DSCF3561.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/DSCF3557.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/DSCF3556.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/DSCF3562.jpg) Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: ZAGATOVX on December 31, 2011, 03:17:48 PM Nice to see a VX Coupe beeing restord.I have restord a Beta Spider so I know the amount of work.
i do have a RHD VX dashbord from a GB car I dont need.Free if you need it,only shipping cost. Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on January 01, 2012, 11:24:40 AM thanks for the offer but I think I'm well stocked on spares at the moment!! Yesterday I cut some pieces of wood and fixed them to the bench to make a rest for the cylinder head more cleaning and dismantling to do, i have a pair of (what I hope are....only the sellers word for it!) 130TC cams that I've had waiting for a few years can't decide whether to fit only the inlet or to try both, also some head scratching with cam pulleys as the cams came without them and the VX ones have the timing hole in the wrong place, I think I have some 2.0 i.e. ones somewhere though that might do funds are tight so can't afford to buy adjustable ones
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on January 02, 2012, 12:35:57 AM spent today drawing circles and looking confused definitely can't afford to go with adjustable cam pulleys which leaves me with the standard issue items, I've studied the pulleys off a couple of VX heads that I have lying around plus some more off spurious cam carriers and all have the same spacing for the timing mark guide hole (the hole that you line up with the notch on the cam carrier) however the inlet one on this actual head has the guide hole one tooth further from the hole for the camshaft locating pin I know that this cam and possibly pulley was from a normally aspirated beta cam probably off an IE. If lined up using this hole this would give about 8.5 degrees difference are all 2 litre non-vx betas like that? It would help me interpreting the standard data if I knew, unfortunately I am fairly incompetent at engineering so I go slowly and somehow struggle through stuff.
(http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/DSCF3567.jpg) Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: WestonE on January 02, 2012, 08:24:20 PM Rossa
It took me ages to get my head arround cam timing and I finally understood the vital information on setting it using the full lift position a dial test indicator and protractor. Guy Croft shows this step by step in both of his books I personally found the first books explanation easier. Less engineering than basic maths and we all love that!! If you follow the steps and mark the cam to the cam box you will not be fooled by the cam wheel holes and if you are ever flush later you can bolt adjustable wheels on with the timing marks done inside the cam box. Keep going and get some crates with lids for the clean engine parts to live in until you are ready to build. This obsessive cleaning and storing is vital to success in my now long experience!! Eric (well beyond a 40th anniversary) Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on January 02, 2012, 08:40:25 PM well I did draw everything out on paper using the original Fiat specs for vx/ie and 130tc cams and amazingly except for one slight glitch in my arithmetic came to the same figures for full lift point as quoted by Guy Croft so I must be getting there (sort of!!) haven't looked at it again today as I had enough brain work yesterday but hopefully I'll get the timing right both in my head and on the head (!?). I'm not going to have to store parts for too long as it will soon be a quick assembly job as I have all the parts I need already it's just a case of clean, tidy and paint as required. Also I am not doing any other work in the garage whilst the engine is in bits to avoid unnecessary dust generation plus my polythene screen does help keep the grot from the front of the garage out.
Alan Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on January 14, 2012, 06:57:06 PM not a lot of progress as I had an horrendous tooth abscess just after new year face like a cross between a hamster and a puffa fish! Anyway got the cam carriers off today and have taken the cams out not much but at least something
(http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/20120114_171614.jpg) Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on January 16, 2012, 08:57:40 AM Cleaned the cam carriers today after removing the old cam seals, they'll need a final buff up but they came up pretty well using some Lidl metal cleaning spray (quite cheap at about £1 a tin). Unwrapped a pair of 130TC cams I've had for some years, thankfully still in seemingly good nick and gave them a quick clean I'll be using the inlet cam if all goes well. I am not aiming for big power increases if I gain a little top end I'll be happy +10% would be nice (that's with dcnf40/130tc inlet cam/smaller blower pulley on original induction system)
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: slowe on January 16, 2012, 10:24:01 PM Looking well organised rossocorsa. I don't think I will be stripping my engine down - I doubt if I would be able to find all the bits never mind about putting them back together again!
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on January 16, 2012, 10:35:47 PM I'm putting everything into grip top bags with write on panels but it's still difficult to keep track of stuff this engine had new bearings and rings etc. not long before it was taken out of a very rusty hpe a few years back so I am not doing a full strip down it's mostly precautionary and to replace the gaskets and seals.I have no engineering training at all so it's very hit and miss !
Alan Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: thecolonel on January 16, 2012, 11:27:26 PM I purchased a wolf parts cleaner 3.5 gallon tank
£32. Plus Clarke cleaner fluid 2 gallons £10. Makes light work of cleaning parts. Great investment. Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on January 17, 2012, 09:04:59 AM good idea but for me I'd struggle with space I'm struggling at the moment actually but just about managing
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on February 02, 2012, 12:34:25 AM very little progress been distracted by step daughter Julia and her search for flats in Lincoln and of course just by being plain lazy. The cold weather just doesn't inspire me! I have started to clean up the engine block coolant channels using what could best be described as a magnet on a stick, quite a lot of debris in there not at all nice I can't flush it through/clean in a tank as i am not taking out the crank or pistons (a decision which I may live to regret but the car had new rings and big end bearings not long before it was removed from it's old home and it did run OK aside from low speed fuelling issues)
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: slowe on February 03, 2012, 10:12:11 PM My enthusiam has lowered along with the temperature. Once I can go into the garage and still feel my fingers after 10 mins i'm sure the situation will change.
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: MattNoVAT on February 03, 2012, 10:43:41 PM Baaah its not that cold.... I'll be changing front & rear discs and pads on a VW Sharan tomorrow morning.... outside! ;D
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: WestonE on February 08, 2012, 07:59:43 PM I for one will be hiding in the heated workshop for the next month. There is nothing like being frozen solid for making horrible mistakes, but then I am a soft southerner.
Happy fiddling. Eric Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: MattNoVAT on February 08, 2012, 08:06:40 PM I must admit, it was minus 7 early on when I started changing the rear discs/pads but luckily it warmed up to 2 degrees later on for the front discs/pads, fitting the new fan speed resistor and fixing the passenger side elec. wing mirror.
Sunday everything was covered in 4 inches of snow so I didn't serve the engine...... I'm not mad ;) Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on September 25, 2012, 08:12:43 AM a few pictures of the engine now that it is in pieces not all that pretty really
(http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/volumex%20engine%20strip%20down%20parts%20detail/DSCF3885.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/volumex%20engine%20strip%20down%20parts%20detail/DSCF3886.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/volumex%20engine%20strip%20down%20parts%20detail/DSCF3887.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/volumex%20engine%20strip%20down%20parts%20detail/DSCF3890.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/volumex%20engine%20strip%20down%20parts%20detail/DSCF3893.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/volumex%20engine%20strip%20down%20parts%20detail/DSCF3896.jpg)(http://[url=http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/volumex%20engine%20strip%20down%20parts%20detail/DSCF3897.jpg]http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/volumex%20engine%20strip%20down%20parts%20detail/DSCF3897.jpg[/url]) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/volumex%20engine%20strip%20down%20parts%20detail/DSCF3898.jpg?t=1348519751) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/volumex%20engine%20strip%20down%20parts%20detail/DSCF3899.jpg) none of it too pretty as funds are tight , well non existent for this sort of non-essential at the moment, I'm not sure when any further progress can be made. I am stripping the second engine I have as well to see how they compare this one has been apart before the other one is probably untouched Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on October 27, 2012, 09:06:00 AM Not getting very far at the moment due to lack of any spare cash for parts as well as a lack of time. I have dismantled the second engine which against my original expectations might be the better of the two. This engines bottom end doesn't seem to have ever been apart bearings are worn through to the copper but look smooth. I haven't got the pistons out yet though.
Title: Re: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on October 27, 2012, 07:39:01 PM Been over to GC and good news on my crank as it measures up OK :-)
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: Dr Acula on October 28, 2012, 12:11:31 AM Well done. That will save you a few quid then! :D
Love following threads like this, just shows how inadequate I am on the car fixing front :-\ hence why I get folk to do it on my behalve ! :D Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on October 28, 2012, 12:18:47 AM Well done. That will save you a few quid then! :D Love following threads like this, just shows how inadequate I am on the car fixing front :-\ hence why I get folk to do it on my behalve ! :D still lots to do and lots to spend, even though crank measures OK it will need new bearings and a full preparation job which i'm not really competant to do myself.... Title: Re: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on January 05, 2013, 11:06:09 PM Just a note so that folks don't think I've entirely good given up! Both engines are in bits now, the one that was in the car despite not being 'rebuilt' like the spare does seem to measure up by far the better of the two, badly rebuilt would have been a better description . Somehow I need to do as perfect an engine rebuild as possible on minimal budget and with no previous experience.......
The bodywork is near enough done but the big task of stripping the paint for a bare metal respray is ahead but not until I can afford the materials. Anyway I am told that the car must be finished in time for daughter Julias wedding expected to be in 2014 but maybe she should consider a later date? Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: MattNoVAT on January 05, 2013, 11:26:04 PM Alan,
Stripping to bare metal is pretty easy. Nitromors or similar strong paint stripper and a roll of polyurethane. Generous coat of paint stripper then PU sheet over the top to stop the active chemicals from evaporating. I use a small dry paint roller to squeeze out air bubbles. Leave for 45-60 mins. The a good quality scraper to first take off the layer of lacquer then repeat the process and your down to bare metal. My coupe took 2 days to fully strip of paint. A coat of Jenolite wiped on with a clean rag will stop the bare metal from getting surface rust. My blue coupe is still bare while the weldathon continues and there is no surface rust at all. (9 months now) Title: Re: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on January 05, 2013, 11:38:24 PM I stripped a 2000HF years ago so I know the drill just a bit pointless to do it until necessary, no option but to bare metal it as it has had more than one respray in the past and the last one was pretty bad (before my time) poor preparation meaning that whilst the finish was ok you can peel the paint off in sheets!
Sent from my MOMO11 bird using Tapatalk 2 Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on June 23, 2013, 10:33:03 AM Well some action yesterday, Steve has been nagging at me that the car needs finishing and despite my protests about lack of funds etc call around yesterday to shame me into some action, it is so bad even the wife is nagging me to finish it now!!
So trial fitting of the new doors, removal of all the fiddly trims and so on ahead of stripping and prep for paint. Still not sure how I'm going to rebuild the engine I want a high standard but can't afford to pay anyone to do it I've got new main and big end bearings, the crank is apparently good and I even managed to find a set of brand new oe vx piston rings. After that it's the supercharger which is even more scary, but funds will not stretch to a GC job. (https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1003879_269287219878844_1899799031_n.jpg) (https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1010025_269287236545509_1276481525_n.jpg) (https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/1016594_269287356545497_6842029_n.jpg) (https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/1014104_269287389878827_1594474510_n.jpg) (https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/998608_269287429878823_1660369874_n.jpg) Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: slowe on June 23, 2013, 10:14:33 PM Good luck rossocorsa. I like the sound of your ambition !
Title: Re: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on June 23, 2013, 11:23:04 PM I think it will still end up a bit half baked compared to some of the posh jobs done on here but it will be as good as my modest funds and skills allow, it's not an especially original car anyway and has done over 100k
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on June 30, 2013, 11:40:13 PM windscreen out today
not at all bad for a beta but will need some repairs (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/image-7.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/image-6.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/image-5.jpg)(http://[url=http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/image-4.jpg]http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/image-4.jpg[/url]) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/image-3.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/image-2.jpg) offside bottom after some rust eater..... (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/image.jpg) as said will still need repairs but really not too bad (unlike the rest of the car so far...) thankfully unless I find a lot of filler under the paint the sunroof area looks even better. Found evidence of at least two resprays one windows out one with windows left in Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: VXdeMayo on July 02, 2013, 08:50:05 PM That's a good result with the screen out. Our HPE ("Lulu") was quite a bit worse than that before we tackled it!
Chin up. Chas and Anne. ;D Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on July 02, 2013, 09:06:35 PM Yes
It has always been good there I don't know why because the rest of the car wasn't particularly good and the car has also had a ridiculous number of owners too 9 or 10 I think so the likelihood of careful ownership is slim! Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: slowe on July 02, 2013, 10:10:52 PM Your VX seems similar to mine - there was no rust around the windscreen surround but that has been more then made up for elsewhere!
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on July 07, 2013, 12:44:01 PM supercharger
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1045160_274665919340974_1748622658_n.jpg) (https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1005287_274665929340973_615083919_n.jpg) (https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/1044885_274665912674308_284308272_n.jpg) (https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/941204_274665922674307_521375659_n.jpg) Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on July 07, 2013, 03:50:34 PM (https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/544385_274679782672921_1863643257_n.jpg) (https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/1001301_274679732672926_1039496586_n.jpg) (https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/1017696_274679789339587_1942129468_n.jpg) (https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/934987_274679786006254_2093217981_n.jpg) (https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/992912_274679766006256_2127974369_n.jpg) (https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/544394_274679779339588_1525870132_n.jpg) (https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1006242_274699589337607_1256483785_n.jpg) (https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1001864_274699599337606_630262468_n.jpg) Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on July 07, 2013, 04:19:10 PM https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=274741849333381" width="640" height="480" frameborder="0"
test assembly without bolting anything together, seems to be running quite smoothly. Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: HFStuart on July 07, 2013, 06:57:21 PM Fascinating - I've never seen one of those in detail before.
Will you be replacing the bearings? Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on July 07, 2013, 07:12:34 PM I had to dismantle it because there was light corrosion on the rotors from standing/bad storage (I failed to oil the rotors when it was removed) plus it is impossible to get all the general dust and so on out and it turned with a rather gritty feel. The rear bearings will be replaced they have only a small amount of contaminated blackened grease in them (should be a larger quantity of red grease I believe) so prudent to do so, the front ones are unobtainable in the correct tolerance (C2 I believe) except at massive expense as a reworked bearing from GC but as they run in a permanent bath of oil are probably OK. I can't strip the unit to inspect because the rotors are not keyed and they can't be reset without a jig.
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on March 03, 2014, 10:54:54 PM I have been somewhat lazy but a few pics.......need to stir into action this year
(http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/image-12.jpg) (http://s724.photobucket.com/user/rossocorsa/media/image-12.jpg.html) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/image-14.jpg) (http://s724.photobucket.com/user/rossocorsa/media/image-14.jpg.html) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/image-13.jpg) (http://s724.photobucket.com/user/rossocorsa/media/image-13.jpg.html) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/image-15.jpg) (http://s724.photobucket.com/user/rossocorsa/media/image-15.jpg.html) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/image-10.jpg) (http://s724.photobucket.com/user/rossocorsa/media/image-10.jpg.html) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/image-16.jpg) (http://s724.photobucket.com/user/rossocorsa/media/image-16.jpg.html) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/image-19.jpg) (http://s724.photobucket.com/user/rossocorsa/media/image-19.jpg.html) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/image-17.jpg) (http://s724.photobucket.com/user/rossocorsa/media/image-17.jpg.html) Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on March 03, 2014, 11:10:40 PM Hmmmm can't seem to post any photos via iPad damn Apple!
Eventually success but what a pain! Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: lbcoupe76 on March 06, 2014, 02:48:06 AM Looking good, the block came up nice.
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on March 06, 2014, 09:09:46 PM A bit of shiny paint makes a lot of difference!
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on March 16, 2014, 10:31:39 PM (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/IMG_20140316_170359.jpg)
(http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/IMG_20140316_165735.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/IMG_20140316_165704.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/IMG_20140316_163054.jpg) Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on April 07, 2014, 10:30:57 PM (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/26c658480137efea786ead435fe0f688.jpg)
(http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/60765a6f864d14e00846eae52aab6575.jpg) Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on April 21, 2014, 09:36:08 PM Some (scary) progress hope I don't cock anything up not really very good with this mechanical stuff at all.......if it goes well might get the car done this year though!
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on May 25, 2014, 01:26:50 PM Well engine is part way assembled, at the moment I feel like I would prefer this to be practice but sadly I only have one engine! Hoping that it works will need to rig if up some how and see because it can't wait until it's in the car to find it doesn't!
Will start on bolting the head parts together soon and boggling over cam timing. I have a pair of adjustable cams sprockets but may well err on the side of safety at first and use the original vx ones as that way at least the valves and pistons should be safe from each other , then swap over and possibly fine tune later. Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: WestonE on May 26, 2014, 06:16:44 AM Alan
Great progress ;D On the vernier cam wheels and timing the cams. Speak nicely to Guy and give him the cams in their boxes and have him do it for you. It will be far better to have the cams in the right place from the start and you will have timing marks on the cams and housings once GC has done his magic. I assume you have a Beta 2000 cam or Strada 130 exhaust cam for the inlet side rather than the very lazy VX OE item? It took me years to get my head around timing cams and felt like 3D blindness. Keep going and if in doubt walk away and then check again and or clean it again. Cheers Eric Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on May 26, 2014, 11:26:34 AM I worked out the timing on paper a while back, still have my notes somewhere so I'm sort of OK with the theory. Using 130tc inlet cam not sure how to set the timing but I am thinking that it needs to be similar to vx in that the overlap should be less than on an ie, as regards peak lift the standard timing mark on a VX cam sprocket is about 8 degrees different from an ie . The car this block came out was running ie inlet cam and 40dcoe and had very bad flat spot and low end response, I now suspect this was because the previous owner fitted a complete ie cam carrier with cam and sporocket and timed the cam belt accordingly, as revs increased the car suddenly went off like a torpedo....
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: WestonE on June 03, 2014, 01:55:28 PM Because I have just got the Volumetrico Montecarlo running I can send you the diagnostic document I stepped through which includes the 130 TC cam timing and the swing positions I marked as well.
Let me know if you would like some light reading :o Eric Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on June 03, 2014, 09:43:10 PM Not sure how much use it will be rather depends whether I can get my head around it it not, but yes would be interested. Haven't touched the engine for a few weeks, too many other unimportant things to do such as unsuccessfully helping Alla shop for shoes for Julia's wedding (most of a day standing around back creaking in meadowhall) >:(
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on June 08, 2014, 09:33:16 PM Had a really close look at the rebuilt head that I was given with the car .....12 or so years ago. Lovely shiny new exhaust valves etc. sadly whoever fitted the valve guides cracked the surrounding head material on one valve, why I never noticed that before I suppose I kind of assumed someone competent had done the job. Anyway so today spent stripping another head also supposedly refurbished at some time but not a fresh rebuild, not too bad although a couple of stem seals were split probably when they were fitted? will fit all new ones anyway.
(http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/be1b6ce44b1432a8e7403dc50910507c.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/e0217ecbf8d3860729eea4747dd32e16.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/ea20786b404b32fd3574bae59ed5d2c5.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/f7a5d4fcfb0f2e6658778e8492c3a149.jpg) Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on June 15, 2014, 11:43:43 PM More grief apparently this head had new valve guides fitted and they do look quite clean and recent however the valve stem to guide fit is well erm shall we say generous.........
Original head has corrosion on number 1 so onto the unknown scruffy looking spare stripped it down looks original untouched and valve guides have much tighter tolerances just a lot of old carbon build up to deal with...fingers crossed! Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on June 16, 2014, 04:49:51 PM Getting fed up now, cleaned the final head up a bit and I still think that valve guide to valve stem fit isn't great I may have to admit defeat as I can't afford to pay for professional work. It is well beyond both my technical capabilities and my available facilities as well as the cost of new parts to think about. Time to tidy up the garage and leave it alone for a while......
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: HFStuart on June 16, 2014, 07:01:25 PM If you want a set of new valve guides FOC that I have no use for let me know.
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on June 16, 2014, 11:17:51 PM If you want a set of new valve guides FOC that I have no use for let me know. Thanks off the offer, I'm going to leave it for a while. I spent the rest of the day tidying the garage up a little so at least it is relatively clean and now I can turn around without knocking stuff of the shelves! Because I am learning as I go along the rebuild isn't very relaxing, I checked my pile of stuff and I do seem to have the special tool for removing/fitting the guides still a scary process though and the originals appear to have come in several size grades. (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/251370b6566c56091f60550c470ea843.jpg) Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on June 19, 2014, 10:50:31 AM Looks like I will have to get one of the heads refurbished, as the damaged rebuilt head looks to have new valves I am thinking to remove them to use in another head as if new guides are fitted the seats will probably need to be recut anyway. As I understand it (?) replacement guides are supplied oversize so getting the right oversize is the first question especially if the guides have already been replaced once. Then once fitted the guides need to be reamed to a perfect fit for the valve stems definitely a job for proper engineers, if someone truly reliable can be found that is! Can't really go down the GC route as his work is superb but bearing in mind my very limited budget I don't need his level of attention to detail on a road car.
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: Neil-yaj396 on June 20, 2014, 07:17:20 PM Don't know if it is just to put off time wasters but the last time I looked the GC website said that they no longer rebuilt 'standard' engines?
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on June 21, 2014, 10:02:08 PM I think GC will do many tasks but only to his precise standards so basically he doesn't do stuff like reusing old pistons etc.
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: 75coupe on June 25, 2014, 01:17:18 AM I wouldn't stress too much about valve fit with the standard type cams you are using, the risk of them hitting each other on overlap is pretty smalI. I hillclimbed a 2 litre with well knackered valve guides (with race cams), as I was in your situation a few years back and that engine is still in one piece.....How much play do you have?
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on June 28, 2014, 08:19:35 AM Difficult to measure but I reckon about double the max on some cylinders. The valve stems measure ok but are close to the minimum
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on July 18, 2014, 11:02:22 PM Been doing a bit of component juggling and might have found a solution with a bit of fettling.......
Also been in the process of fitting a betaboyz sump baffle kit with help from Steve Thompson on welding etc. terrible fit needed lots of adjustment but I think it is nearly sorted now. If the head assembles ok next it will be cams and carriers then final engine assembly and a lot of head scratching over cam timing. Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on July 20, 2014, 09:23:47 PM Checking valve seal after lapping, very rudimentary but it'll have to do!
(http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140720_171052.jpg) Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on September 14, 2014, 05:50:25 PM (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/61e59824aff27334c7f523c07003073e.jpg)
Don't worry about the aux pulley timing it's had the lobe removal modification Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on October 04, 2014, 06:56:50 PM Supercharger rear bearings and seals removed plus the channels that vent to the scavenger pump cleaned out
(http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/210e1872a116d521e94677d9ec3174eb.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/1db2affd7bd04d100eb6569814aea3bd.jpg) (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/e62eb617ee3a2eb5c4270335ed7e1ea5.jpg) Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on April 25, 2015, 08:50:27 PM Just a note to say that whilst there isn't much progress I am still intending to get the car finished eventually. Had a lot of work and personal issues lately so I haven't been very motivated but anyway Steve Thompson keeps trying to encourage me so I've done a little bit of work on the engine and I hope the garage is going to be tidied up enough to get the engine and box reunited on the subframe and then see if it will actually fire up before work recommences on the bodyshell (cleaning down and seam sealing welds, some very minor repairs around the windscreen and strip to bare metal are things that come to mind).
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on September 04, 2016, 08:51:13 PM Engine mated to gearbox with new clutch etc. And onto subframe. First work done in ages!
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: rossocorsa on September 04, 2016, 08:54:00 PM (http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160904_160636.jpg)
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: lbcoupe76 on September 05, 2016, 01:40:23 AM Nice, that must feel great to get to this stage.
Title: Re: maybe some progress...... Post by: WestonE on September 05, 2016, 06:36:14 AM Well Done!
|