[Nismo Mark]

Picked up a little project last weekend in the shape of Y403 VJU, a silver 1.7 with a dead engine

Its a one owner car from new with 72k on the clock and full Ford history so a great base car. Upon investigation it appears that one of the heater valve connectors broke off emptying the engine of coolant and making it a bit hot The previous owner had it recovered to his local dealer who diagnoised a blown head gasket with possible further damage but no in depth investigation was carried out, they just wanted to replace the engine for him and relieve him of a few G's Compression across all 4 cylinders ranges from 10psi to 40psi so not too healthy.

First job is to take the head off to see what the score is, hopefully its a case of just replacing the gasket but if it got too hot it could have taken a bore or two with it I have another engine on standby so if this one is scrap its engine swap time

Started stripping the engine last night so will update with pics later

[zara014]

Good to see this is being saved rather than scrapped

[Nismo Mark]

Well made some progress tonight

Car up on stands




Ready for the head to come off




Oh bugger










So that would be scrap then

Luckily we have another engine ready to go in just in case this was the outcome so now I need to get the block and gerbox out, swap the manifolds, flywheel and some other bits over to the new engine and fit a new clutch

[pumapilot]

Would a short engine, eg block only, be better?

[warrenpenalver]

wow thats some serious melting!!!

As pete says, the head might be savable.

[Mogsmex]

nice work Mark,

nice new anchor as well


at least the worst case scenario was planned

I'll chat to you tomorow about your spare cyl head

[Nismo Mark]

It now looks like this





Basically removed

The battery and battery box
The fan
Plenum
AC compressor and PAS pump and tied up out the way
Rear Box mount
Gear linkage
Alternator and starter

Also removed both lower wishbones as they look like they have been in a salt bath



these will be cleaned and painted with some hammerite


So all thats left is to pop the driveshafts out, split the exhaust after the cat and then lower it down

[Mogsmex]

happy days get the bits swopped over throw a new clutch at it and stuff it back in


done by tomorow afternoon ?

[Nismo Mark]

Well its out







Passenger side driveshaft wouldnt budge out the box so i ended up taking it out the hub end and dropping the whole lot with it still in the box. It came out afterwards though

Taken the box off the engine and removed the clutch and flywheel (clutch only had a few months left in it anyway) Funny thing was when i drained the engine oil, about 2 litres of water came out first :wack:

Time to start cleaning things up and collecting all the required gaskets etc

[happy-kat]

Making fast progress

[Nismo Mark]

I dont mess about although progress will slow now as I need to spend money

Oh and I forgot to thank Mogsmex for the lend of the 'persuader' to help get the driveshafts out

[Nismo Mark]

Well a bit more progress

I am waiting on a few engine bits like a belt tensioner and a couple of gaskets so went on the cleaning offensive








A few areas that need attention










And I need a new starter cable




And today I got carried away








Going to try and give the whole bay a going over with some silver hammerite

Going to try and get the subframe off and drop the rack down



BTW anyone know why the PAS pipework goes on a long diversion under the rad? is it aid cooling? just wondering if you can bin the loop ????

[happy-kat]

Do you have a large cover you place back over the car when you finish for the day?
That rust did not look great, I can't say I have yet done any in the engine bay but the engine mount area looked a bit worrying for the future there.

[zara014]

looking good mate!

[Nismo Mark]

Do you have a large cover you place back over the car when you finish for the day?
That rust did not look great, I can't say I have yet done any in the engine bay but the engine mount area looked a bit worrying for the future there.

I havent a cover which is why I have left the bonnet on to give it a bit of protection.

Yer the mount area and the front panel uprights are the worst bits so thought might as well tackle them now whilst there is loads of room

[Nismo Mark]

Well if i got carried away yesterday, then today I completely lost it :wack:

Removed:

Subframe
Steering Rack
Front Wings
Scuttle Panel
Wiper Motor
Rad Support
ARB
Brake Servo & Cylinder
ABS Module

and know it looks like this











Wanted to rip the AC out but cant be bothered getting it recharged

Loads of dead leaves and dirt under the scuttle panel and ontop of the firewall under the scuttle.

Now needs another good clean and then some prep ready for some paint. Can start cleaning the subframe etc and paint them as well

[happy-kat]

Dedication there and patience by the bucket
I hope that you don't have any left over parts when it goes back together

[Nismo Mark]

Yer that is a concern

Although I have bagged up all the bolts as I have gone along so i know where they all go

[Mogsmex]

pmsl

Danielle must be chuffed to bits

what was yesterdays quote ? "it's my car not a project you know"

[Nismo Mark]

Yer, she came home last night, looked at it, shook her head and went straight inside


Told her that was it as there was nothing else to take off it