My new project R26

I bought this just over a week ago.

Uses oil and low compression in one cylinder.
It drove pretty well on the way home, didn't boot it as i wanted to make sure i got home okay.

It also had a real bad steering issue, accelerate and it dived off to the left, back off and it dives to the left, another reason for taking it easy

PXL_20201130_113614741 by Ian Austin, on Flickr

So to find out what is wrong with this engine of course it has to come out.

PXL_20201130_175410876 by Ian Austin, on Flickr

While stripping the suspension, found the passenger side track control arm bolt was well loose, nothing else feels that it could have caused the problem.


Is it worth me doing another strip and rebuild process ????
If you do is there anything in particular you want me to spend more time on

 

I have to keep my hand in

Going to beat staying in the house over Christmas and new year with the Mrs, can escape to the workshop for some piece and quite

 

Stripped the engine today.
The front crankshaft oil seal is leaking and oil has been getting on the cambelt, so i doubt it would be that that long before it would cause a problem.

PXL_20201201_114033541 by Ian Austin, on Flickr

PXL_20201201_114014478 by Ian Austin, on Flickr

 

Then with the intake and exhaust manifolds off, its head removal time

The inside of the cam box isn't as bad as i thought it was going to be, the last one i did was really bad with burnt oil residue.

All of the pistons were oily, the turbo in and out was a bit oily as well but not dripping, the intercooler had some oil in the bottom when it was removed.
The intake pipe and the inlet manifold didn't look that bad.

So i think there is also a problem the head either valve stem seals or the guides themselves.

PXL_20201201_131023860 by Ian Austin, on Flickr

PXL_20201201_131046396 by Ian Austin, on Flickr

 

Next step was the remove the pistons, so remove the sump undo the big end bolts and push the pistons out, nu,ber one cylinder should be the one with the biggest problem, after pulling the piston all i could see was that the piston ring gaps were almost inline, not really a problem but it doesn't help.

I was told that this engine had 250 pistons and rods fitted and yes there are, all the bearings are in a great condition, so the crank is good.

Another piston also had the compression ring gaps inline, but not on number 1 cylinder, so i will have to look elsewhere.

250 piston, notice the tapered small end of the rod

PXL_20201201_163421799 by Ian Austin, on Flickr

PXL_20201201_163406307 by Ian Austin, on Flickr

 

Cheers Andrew, quite nice just pottering away in the workshop on my own listening to the radio and no one bothering me

 

The liners, number 1 looks the best
Pistons 1-2 by Ian Austin, on Flickr
Number 2
Pistons 1-2 by Ian Austin, on Flickr
Number 3, there are some score marks you can just feel them
Pistons 3-4 by Ian Austin, on Flickr
Number 4 these are a little deeper
Pistons 3-4 by Ian Austin, on Flickr

 

Just think of all that fresh air

 

As there wasn't anything obvious to the low compression issue, then next was to strip the cylinder head.

Removing the first valve and my spring compressor broke, so i had to repair that before i could get the rest out.

I think i have found the compression issue, exhaust valves and seats on number 1 are burnt

Number 1 by Ian Austin, on Flickr

R26 valves by Ian Austin, on Flickr

 

after removing the valves, the valve stem seals were removed.

Then the valves were placed back in and the guides to see what sort of state there in

So now i have to get all the valve guides replaced, the exhaust ones were the worst but the inlets aren't that much better.

 

Cheers buddy

 

Something must have happened in the past, presume thats why they fitted the 250 pistons and rods.

It will be getting a full engine rebuild, forged pistons and rods, valve guides with Supertec valves and springs.
New oil pump and chain, all new bearings, etc etc etc

Will also fit my 265 turbo for a while and upgrade later, will also upgrade the fuel pump, fit the 250 fuel rail and setup the raising rate fuel system.

 

Well i don't like sitting around much rather be working on engines etc.

I preferred the Mk2 on track and as that what its going to be used for it will get the full works.

Next step is getting the parts together.

 

Cheers Mate
Really miss Anglesey, was hoping to give a real go with how its setup now, but i don't think i will get there again in the 265.

I'm really going to get this moving on this as i have 2 days at the ring booked around Easter time, i also need to get it mapped and a trackday or two for testing, i will try and make Anglesey for one of them.

 

Sure i have sold it already, got 3 trackdays to do first and the person wants to make sure it survives them, then we are swapping a few parts over then he's putting his up for sale.

 

I'm also on the look out for a Half cage, red preferred, but will consider any colour, also not a show cage
Intercooler, Airtec small version.
Coilovers, open to suggestions
also a pair of 3" 5 or 6 belt harnesses, FIA can be out of date as not using for competition

 

Cheers Andrew

 

It's good listening to the radio that's until Sunday at 1pm, ohhh she give me the shits

I have already done the rising rate system, well most of it, that was on my 225, i will do a full bit as this engine doesn't have it.

Probably won't do anything to the head as it's forced induction and doesn't make much difference, N/A yes that then is worth doing.

 

That's the one

She should be on Radio 4 at least

 

I'll have O'Grady any day over Paige

 

Its the same guy that wants rear seats etc.

Waiting for a reply

 

Saw another one as well, ask for location but no reply, 4 days ago now

 

I really hope so, i have a trip to the ring around Easter, need to get it mapped and tested on a couple of track days before then