Importing a Car from the US

[Oneball]

A while ago when I started the car for the first time since before Christmas, I noticed a lot of water vapour out of the breather, took the filer off and I’d describe it as billowing out.

Drained some of the oil today and there was a little bit of water in there, see photo below. I’ve pressure tested the cooling system both with coolant in and air and there don’t appear to be any leaks.

Do you think this is just condensation or something more?

 

[philw696]

Not easy to say without seeing it.
Does it sound healthy and no mis fires ?
Run it to temperature and see what you have.

 

[Oneball]

Not easy to say without seeing it.
Does it sound healthy and no mis fires ?
Run it to temperature and see what you have.

Theres no evidence anything is wrong other than the steam and that teaspoon of water from the sump. But my spidery-sense doesn’t like it.

 

[lifes2short]

Theres no evidence anything is wrong other than the steam and that teaspoon of water from the sump. But my spidery-sense doesn’t like it.

would worry me too and justifies further investigation especially after all the hard work you've put in to the car so far

 

[Oneball]

would worry me too and justifies further investigation especially after all the hard work you've put in to the car so far

Yep, I stuck a little camera into the lifter valley and couldn’t see anything around the rear of the heads, couldn’t reach the front.

 

[CatmanV2]

Theres no evidence anything is wrong other than the steam and that teaspoon of water from the sump. But my spidery-sense doesn’t like it.

Bloody ****, I thought this was the @Felonious Crud discussion for a minute!

C

 

[Oneball]

Bloody ****, I thought this was the @Felonious Crud discussion for a minute!

C

Does he have a little dribble?

 

[CatmanV2]

Does he have a little dribble?

Oh, he's been dribbling for years

C

 

[Oneball]

Continuing the dribbling theme: The take off adapter in the bottom hose that goes to the expansion tank won’t seal properly so I’ve had a take off welded into the aluminium pipe instead and will replace the hose with one with no take off.

 

[Oneball]

Slight change to the schedule, need to get the gearbox rebuilt on the Mini for the first race at the beginning of April. So engine out this evening

 

[Oneball]

Mini engine and box separated.



And stripped the little pile of c-shaped bits are the baulk rings that should be, for want of a better description, ring shaped!



That’s a new one on me, usually they’re worn or the occasional breakage but never had all 4 in bits before.

 

[philw696]

Not had one of those apart for many years mate.

 

[Oneball]

Regular occurrence for me for the last 27 years! Which is really worrying as I’m pretty sure I’m only 22!

 

[Oneball]

So as well as baulk rings it needs a new mainshaft shaft


And a first motion shaft


as well as other odds and sods.

Plus had to buy four new race tyres which are now £186 each. FFS there only 10 inches. I wouldn’t mind so much if they were still made in Castle Brom. But they’ve outsourced them to 12 year olds in Brazil

Cooling system on the Vette back together

 

[2b1ask1]

Subtle self-distraction there mate. Box is a bit of a mess!

 

[Oneball]

Subtle self-distraction there mate. Box is a bit of a mess!

Its been raced for 50 years, genuine Special Tuning box, so it’s done quite well. After this rebuild only the lay shaft and first gear will be original though

 

[Oneball]

It was full of water when I bought it as an engine and box. Came from Dave Fisher. Big in Beetle circles ran Kingfisher Customs. Wonder if he’s still alive. Crankcase is still good, first crankshaft broke on the rolling road in 1995, 2nd one ate the thrusts a couple of years ago. Cylinder head is 7 years old, technology has moved on. Rods and pistons relatively new. Bit of a Triggers broom.

 

[philw696]

All the years I had my 79 MK1 Golf GTi from 1988 to 2014 and Rallied all over the UK only got through one cylinder head everything else was as built.
Service items changed before every event.
Body panels a different matter but the roof skin was original

 

[Oneball]

Guy I used to work for rallied a Sierra and the service crew wrote his address and stuck some stamps on the wing mirrors.

Door cards and handles now fitted, just need to finish the door tops.


Been round the block and it’s stumbling a bit under heavy braking so need to have a look at the carb.

 

[philw696]

Getting there Tim.
When do you hope to get it on track ?