Hi Young man How are you doing, you still putting in the mileage to trackdays, you still got the Clio then Will have to see what power it makes, but i was going to just make sure it wasn't going to throw a rod, or drop a valve like the last engine did. I'll put up the trackdays i'm doing and we will have to meet up at some point this year. Going to try and get to either Anglesey or Oulton or Donington in March to be near to where i'm going to get my mapping done.
good work, for my own personal knowledge whats the rings gaps top and middle you use?. and piston to wall clearance..bernie. may end building my own in the future.
I took the block to an engine builder to get it checked and he gave me the all clear to just fit standard forged pistons, even though my engine has done 115k miles. It will depend on the make of pistons and rings you use, but mine were 18 thousands of an inch gap on the top ring and 16 thou on the 2nd compression ring.
No Was very surprised, he said it was perfect Yes i was shocked, 115k miles and 20 plus trackdays in the last 18 months
I'm hoping to do anglesey on 4 March! I need to speak to efi about my mapping but it currently has no seats and I'm changing the os swivel bearing so reluctant to set a date until it's all up and running! Good work on the build progress!
same for me, i can't book anything yet till at least the engine is built and ready to fit. Iv'e not done Anglesey in this car
keep up this build thread though Ian...its good information for people to see the more technical engineering side of the forging.
Hi Ian Thanks for sharing this with us. Would you recommend forging an unmodified R26 230bhp engine being used mainly for TDs?
essentially the same engine as a mk3,but has weaker pistons and rods. If its standard,and all is well,then unless you are serious about a lot of track work ,its a fair chunk of money on a ageing car.
What’s the general view of reliability on a Standard 2014 265 cup engine( well apart from K&N air filter, vibratechnics lower gear box mount and powerflex yellow engine mount) coming up on 50,000 miles and due timing belt change soon. Doing trackdays? Safe. Car is used pretty much everyday, I do about 3-5 trackdays a year only other mods to car are braided brake lines and different pads.
Yes i would if yu can afford it, if a conrod decides to take an exit, then its finding another engine to forge
Its very hard to say exactly, mine has or had done 115k miles, owned by and 84 year old before i bought it 18 months ago, i only use mine to drive to tracks and for track days and mine was in very good condition inside when i stripped it, i do know someone that there a rod came out around 60k, Jamie had his go with less miles than mine, at least i know now mine is safe. Mine was only running a cone filter, still had the cat fitted, suspension and brake line and pad upgrade.
this lot turned up yesterday, my job on Sunday, maybe tomorrow will have to see how it goes in the morning IMG_20200129_175900 by Ian Austin, on Flickr
On Thursday i had a bit of time in the workshop, the weather was awful down here. I got the valves IMG_20200131_120145 by Ian Austin, on Flickr Then spent hours lapping them in but it has to be done. random old valve spring measurement IMG_20200131_120512 by Ian Austin, on Flickr and the new spring measurement IMG_20200131_120550 by Ian Austin, on Flickr Was a bit surprised the new ones were a smidge shorter but they are a lot stronger.
these are required for the new exhaust valve IMG_20200131_120629 by Ian Austin, on Flickr the inlet valves are single groove so you can use the ones you take out IMG_20200131_115906 by Ian Austin, on Flickr the old / standard exhaust valves valves are 3 grove so you need the keepers above for the new valves IMG_20200131_115842 by Ian Austin, on Flickr
on final fitting of the valves it is now that the valve stem seals get fitted, its also worth putting some oil down the valve guides, this will help for the first running of the engine and it will help not to damage the seals. When fitting the springs, caps and the collets / keepers, i found the best way was to grind a flat on an old small screwdriver and a dab of grease to hold the collet in place, the aperture that these have to be fitted in is not very big, no fat fingers or even small ones can really get in there. Also a bit of grease on the inside of the collet will stop it falling out once in position. IMG_20200131_150622 by Ian Austin, on Flickr Release the valve spring compressor slowly, if the collets are not in fully they can go flying. Check each and everyone of the collets and make sure they are in there correct position, not like this IMG_20200131_150904 by Ian Austin, on Flickr Make sure they are set in fully IMG_20200131_151055 by Ian Austin, on Flickr you can see that there isn't much room in the head for these valves and fingers IMG_20200131_151449 by Ian Austin, on Flickr
The business side of the head with all the new valves fitted IMG_20200131_151523 by Ian Austin, on Flickr
Fit the head gasket, lower on the head onto the block, fit new head bolts as these are one use bolts. Torqued down the head. Fit the hydraulic tappets, cam followers and then the cams IMG_20200131_164247 by Ian Austin, on Flickr lube it up well There isn't a gasket for the cam cover, so its smeared with Victor-Reinz Reinzosil Instant Gasket IMG_20200131_162035 by Ian Austin, on Flickr Then fit the cam cover, this needs to pulled down evenly, there are lots of bolts so it takes a while, then when there down then torque them. IMG_20200131_164247 by Ian Austin, on Flickr
Now this is where someone has a pop at me I don't use the timing kit, its quite easy, done 4 or 5 now, i borrowed a kit to do one and found it so awkward to use. Did mine yesterday my way, i just turn the engine over a couple of times to make sure its all lined up.
AH the good old days. If I had a £1 for every collet that had flown past my head, vanished, never to be seen again?!. Spent many happy hours, lapping in valves, while listening to workers playtime, with Charlie Chester!!. ( Ask your Grandad!.) Great thread Ian.
Wish i could mate, wish i could Yes the radio on really helps, but Elaine Page really grates with me, so glad i did the valves on Thursday
So yesterday i fitted the flywheel, clutch and gearbox. also fitted the new dephaser pulley and cambelt kit. fit the front covers and the crank pulley. also fitted the manifolds, spark plugs and coils IMG_20200202_125649 by Ian Austin, on Flickr Then it was onto fitting the starter motor, alternator, AC pump and then the wiring loom IMG_20200202_142835 by Ian Austin, on Flickr now nearly ready to go back in to the engine bay, i have a couple of other bits i need to do before then. Also i'm replacing the seals in my front calipers, does anyone want a pic show of that job ?????
i just couldnt handle fkn elaine pages all singing all dancing crappy show....i hate show tunes...and hate her laugh even more!...But then jonnie walker sounds of the seventies comes on..which is the best show on British radio..
I am 100% with you on that, i normally wait till Mr Walker has finished his show before i drive home from the workshop
