Khamsin

[lozcb]

Reluctant to use the word optimistic Loz.......................more like....a mini con, greed.....and a few other less savoury terms.....

Really re-snob thing Loz?


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I think so Frank , its the vast jump in prices for certain supercars/classics that puts the buyers in a different affordable bracket ,


regards loz

 

[Khamsin433]

Totally agree Bal , me im sold on the lower rear screen such a unique point , such a superb example lets hope she's back together soon, and that heart is beating faster than ever, also that the Citroen arterial system plays the game without too many problems best of luck mate , itching to see it in the flesh

regards loz

Thanks Loz,

I'm having the major LHM stuff rebuilt as part of this work so as you say hopefully it won't let me down. I've been renewing items over the past few years anyway as and when leaks have sprung. But now decided to do the remainder in one go as I'm fed up with that green oil stripping surface coatings where it falls.

As soon as it's had it's second oil change after the rebuild, I'll bring her out and meet up with you guys. I'll be happier once I know what I need to buy and hence the damage to the wallet. Main reason I speant so much time talking to the McGrath guys at Stanford Hall, see if I can't strike up a deal or two.

Still I have the 4200 to fall back on for now.....

 

[lozcb]

[Still I have the 4200 to fall back on for now..... ]

Yeah hard life that eh Bal hahah

keep us posted as things proceed with a few pick if you get the oppurtunity


regards loz

 

[Parisien]

[Still I have the 4200 to fall back on for now..... ]

Yeah hard life that eh Bal hahah

Tough aint the word............................he must be albe to remember the war...................................the Boer war!!!!!!




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[Khamsin433]

re: Hard Life

Tough aint the word............................he must be albe to remember the war...................................the Boer war!!!!!!




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Lol..........

 

[Parisien]

Lol..........

Aint it great when humour travels across a sea....


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[Khamsin433]

Yep

Especially between the like minded .

 

[Parisien]

yep

especially between the like minded .

..............


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[Khamsin433]

Update #2

Well the guys have made a little more progress. They're taking it easy as this engine hasn't been apart in more than 24 years so things are going to be difficult. One of the heads is off now and it had failed on #4 cylinder between the top of the liner and the water way.

Though the compression test didn't show up a drop on that bore, so goes to show doesn't it. The delay was getting the feed and scavange pump off the front of the engine, didn't want to let go quickly. Second head is now being soaked with releasing oils etc before they attempt to remove. Notice the brown sludge in the picture, looks like the remanents of rad-weld, so maybe the seller would have known of possible issues?

The cams look to be in good condition so that's a plus point as I didn't want to have much metal removed etc and I've not located anyone selling replacements. Just hoping the crank is just as healthy. Notice the wooden prop, the engine is one heafty beast, much heavier than the Ferrari engines the guys are used to working on and it's aluminium!

Can't wait to hear the engine live again, really miss not having her nearby. (wouldn't miss the wife as much!)
Still I'm doing the right thing as one sold at auction last month for £60K, though fully restored. But not in it for the financials, more about the grin I have when driving it.

Interesting fact I found out, while my car was registered in August 1982, making it one of the last sold, it was actually completed and sent over from the factory in July 1980. Therefore it sat around the importers for two years before being sold. Could be that it was a cancelled order and that they struggled to sell it, so someone may have got themsleves a good deal.
But the biggest problem with these engines, according to the specialists, is the lack of use causing the head gaskets to go. And as it was the same engine used in various sizes from 4.2 litres to 5 litres across the entire range starting with the Quattroporte 1 to Kyalami, a thing to bear in mind when looking to buy a car so equiped. Modern gasket manufacture would help compared to the original quality.

Enjoy the pictures, I'll keep the updates coming as i get them.

 

[Andyk]

Bal, really looking forward to the end result..Bet you can not wait...

 

[Parisien]

Slowly but surely.....timetable for getting back on the road?


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[Khamsin433]

Yep Can't wait to get her back. No timetable set other than try to get it on road before bad weather sets in as I'd like to run it in and have the heads torqued up before putting to bed for winter. The guys are fitting it into the normal work schedule to help me with labour costs, so I'm not pushing other than to get my shopping list together so that I can get the parts in, probably from the States unless I can get a deal out of McGraths.

Mind you as it's road legal all year round I don't have a problem taking her out if we get a break in the weather. Lot's of other stuff being done as well, LHM hydraulic components being rebuilt, bonnet to be resprayed (after my gaff), fuel tank to have a leak fixed etc.

Heads and cam covers will be crackle finished properly, i.e.not the spray in the can stuff that doesn't last long. Also looking into having the manifolds ceramic coated to reduce engine bay temps etc. Though depending on costs (it's not a cheap solution) I may postpone that until next year as they are very accessible so could be a simple job.

Be nice to hear her roar again and maybe get some miles under my belt over next years season. Deep breath and hold................Release. Like I said in the last post I'd rather they take time than take a sledge hammer to it as you're talking of $20K to buy used engines from the States on Ebay, and that's before rebuilding it and paying VAT (can't say it's a gift when it's a mssive crate!).

 

[cowsurgeon]

Sounds like a project and a half - your car looks gorgeous, and will surely be amazing when all the mechanicals are as good as new again too! Who are you getting to crackle finish the heads and cam covers?

 

[Khamsin433]

Hey Chris,

I've left the crackle finish o the guys at Migliore to sort out. They have someone they use for all the ferrari work and I'm told the finish is good and long lasting.

Interesting point though the original finish on the one head that's been removed looked as if the paint had been poured onto it. Not very profesional but they all cut corners, and as it was an area under the inlet manifold it wouldn't be clearly seen.

Thsnk for the kind comments, the body while straight is not perfect. But the aim is to sort out engine, use car and maybe late next year put in for having the suspension all stripped, powder coated and rebuilt. I'll organise the replacement carpet, if I can find a good company. Then in the future a full respray, but that's lomg term as the old financials won't stand it at the moment.

 

[Khamsin433]

More engine pics

More pictures of the engine dismantling process.

The guys have however run into a problem trying to remove the timing chain sprocket off the end of the crankshaft (see first picture). It's proving difficult even after heating up!
And until it comes off and the remaining oil feed items after that, the crank can't come off. Any ideas would be welcome.

Only way may be to cut off, but access is limited so this is going to be a pain. New sprocket is available $567, so tha't gonna hurt. But I'd hate to have a failure after the rebuild because of a small part such as this.

The crank looks ok, the mains haven't been removed yet but the conrods have and there are no noticable marks. So hopefull all will be ok when they check the measurements for roundness.

 

[Parisien]

Slowly but surely Bal.......its always more difficult and time consuming than you think, hope the expenses aren't getting too high!

Good to see you're still ploughing on...and hope to see the end result soon!


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[reservoirfrog]

More pictures of the engine dismantling process.

The guys have however run into a problem trying to remove the timing chain sprocket off the end of the crankshaft (see first picture). It's proving difficult even after heating up!
And until it comes off and the remaining oil feed items after that, the crank can't come off. Any ideas would be welcome.

Only way may be to cut off, but access is limited so this is going to be a pain. New sprocket is available $567, so tha't gonna hurt. But I'd hate to have a failure after the rebuild because of a small part such as this.

The crank looks ok, the mains haven't been removed yet but the conrods have and there are no noticable marks. So hopefull all will be ok when they check the measurements for roundness.

Bal, the problem with heating up the sproket is that you can over heat it and the shaft will also expand at the same rate, so you achieve nothing.
I used to take ships propellors off, we did that by freezing the shaft.
try just a little heat & see if there is some way to keep the shaft cool, eg. wrap it with a wet rag & keep dribbling water on it.

 

[reservoirfrog]

And just in case anyone wants to know how to take a ships propellor off....................you start by taking the rudder off.

 

[GransportFan1]

hope it all turns out good Bal, would you be interested in the midlands meet we maybe having at graypaul nottingham?

 

[Khamsin433]

Thanks for the advice guys.
The guys at Migliore tried keeping the crank cool with air lines etc which they have used with good results in the past on other engines. They've broken two pullers and when you look at the sprocket now you have to write it off as it's been heated up a few times and I wouldn't trust it. I've already accepted that I'll have to stump up the $567 for a new one, just want the bu??er off so that the rest of the work can begin.

I totally understand the logic you apply regards the two items being iin different temp ranges. The touble with the alternative method of butchering the item is also difficult as there isn't much space to work with tools. I'll try McGrath's again tomorrow as I got no answer today, to see if they have a tool for the job. The guys on the Ferrarichat forum either have made tools for the job or rent out a device from MIE.

As for a Midlands meet, yep no problem Adam I'm up for it. I'm due to finish my contract 22nd Oct after which I'll be fairly free as I don't suppose much work will pop up this side of Xmas.