A Street Sleeper is reborn! THE END

[procta]

I managed to fit the replacement hose to day, and check every pipe to make sure all is well. I did take a few photos but the phone died, half way through the build, so I might have to do a before and after.
I may revert the centre section to a oem 16v one, with it having a bigger silencer in, I did buy a one, but they sent me an 8v one FFS! So I might sell that on to someone who as an 1.4 8v. I will have to see my local motor factor to see if the can save the day. As I am going to use this for work next week, all been well.
Got a few things on the cards for this, more will be updated, when ever i start sorting out the upgrades and replacements.

[procta]

Ok a bit of an update, I had a right bother with the exhaust side of things, with the car. As I did buy a new 16v centre section and that went know where near the piper system at all. The piper system is a larger bore, so I decided to say f*ck it and moth ball the piper unit, ( might sell that on tbh and go from scratch again) So I rang my motor factors again about a back box. Now cast your minds back to the days of the red one when I had this system on.
 
 
well for the love of money now, you cannot get that system anymore, in fact metro exhausts are getting very hard to find now! Its looking now I may have to bite the bullet and get a custom stainless steel one built for the car.
Anyway my motor factors had a right old job sorting out the two parts for me, that managed in the end. 
Laugh is the centre section is a gti unit, now here is the bit you lads might love. 
The back box that is on the red one, is a later metro gti one.
They were giving, a Unipart MG metro/ MG metro Turbo
 back box!!




I said to the lad, that's fuckin rare that one!! As Unipart used to do allsorts, and a few odds and sods for the mk1 and mk2 metros.
The back box is tailored to fit around the rear Hydro can, compared to the Metro gti one, which for some reason didn't really fit all that well.
Anyway me and my dad gets the car back up on the ramps, and could we hell get the two to fit!! 
Turns out that the back box and the centre section were the same bore, ( where you join them, the sleeve section)
My dad tried to get the back box to fit over, by increasing the sleeve section. Still didn't work! Then I said, I will try the 8v centre section, and guess what. The two slotted together with out a bother at all!!
The 8v and 16v pipes may only have a few mill differences, for the 8v one to go straight onto to an MG back box.
After an hour with the spanners, we had this

Adds to the more sleeper effect, and also for some reason the car pulls better of the piper unit that was one!
my dad got gunned down in flames over the piper system, as all I had from moody arse, was how loud the system was etc, etc. Well the noise wasn't the piper system, its a rear wheel bearing, like I told him and a mate suggested.
Some times you could give my dad a slapping for not taking listen to people!
Anyway My dad took the car for a f*ck off run, after I took it for a test drive. I bleed the system up and introduced antifreeze to the system as it was still air locking after I had changed the coolant hose.
The car is back to its old self, if not better than when it was in the GTA, as I don't have blowing system. Or a one with a bit DIY made up section, thanks to the Sportex Decat pipe been adjustable.
The car took a little bit of bedding in as the ECU had to reset it self, with the new system.
Then to top it all off, I put the car in for its MOT and tracking,  before the 306 this time. Guess what happened, It went through with out a bother! Only for a fuse to pop on the indicator and brake light system, just as I pulled away from the garage!
A fuse replacement later, and its as good as new!!
Also a here is a taster

On that note, I am going to use this as a daily for a few weeks, as the 306 is getting some love for a change.  
A few more things are on the cards, but not much more now. As I am coming to the end of the project now, not much more I can do to the car bar enjoy it, and maintain it.

---

Sad thing now, with these clocking on, and rover been history now. Bits for these have come a harder than they were 2 to 3 years ago! Mind though the prices are starting to really jump up! The 16v one I had, the self model was on ebay for 1000!! I paid 180 back in 2008!
This model, has been advertised for 1500 and that's with silly low mileage! that was on a K plate.
Sadly Modified metros now, no one really wants anymore. Its all about standard ones, just how the scene has switched in the last 3 years,

[procta]

the last of my gta used

[Piggy]

Hmmm...think I kinda liked the black oddly...

Whats with the odd headlights?

[procta]

Hmmm...think I kinda liked the black oddly...

Whats with the odd headlights?

one is new and one is old. I have two new ones to go on, but I have to wait until I can get the car back into the garage. 
The black bumpers were knackered compared to the these ones, which were off the old metro.

[zx_volcane]

<3 these updates

you really reckon exhaust made a difference to power? and the ecu can tell? clever rovers ...

[procta]

<3 these updates

you really reckon exhaust made a difference to power? and the ecu can tell? clever rovers ...

aye as it had a bit of an un even idle with it blowing.  the OEM ones are quite restrictive. as the bore is smaller.
The original gta one I had one, the engine killed that system. Also the piper one is a larger bore, the engine revved better mind with the piper one on. But it was too loud and I couldn't stop the blowing on our bit section we made up. I might be able to get it quietened down and extended, something I will have to look into. 
The k series engine was quite advanced for its time mind ZX,

[procta]

i managed to buy a spare wheel board cover from an early model, just to keep the tyre mark off the boot carpet, 





Also today, CA BOOM



yeah, that's it either the water pumps went CA boom, or the head gaskets decided to go. Got to give the car its due mind, for the last 2 months, while the 306 has been getting some love, it has done me proud and been a pain in the arse, but at least it went just as i got on the drive away. 
So that's it for now, until further notice.

[Piggy]

I missed the kaboom moment..

But hg or water pump...not really that dramatic...just another day in rover ownership (just ask Steve!)...

[procta]

I missed the kaboom moment..

But hg or water pump...not really that dramatic...just another day in rover ownership (just ask Steve!)...

that's true, as I have had a water pump go on my 1st metro years ago. its the Head gasket that's the pain in the arse. As I am going to have to get the head sent away to be checked and rebuild, as I spoke to a K series dealer, about getting the head checked.
I mentioned about the compression test, results I had and he said that sounds like I have an oil seal failure.
So god knows what the story is there with the head, with it been ported and polished.
We are looking at rebuilding the bottom  end, as I don't think this engine is a true 160, could be a 143bhp bottom end. We will remove the engine and strip it down, and go from there.

[powerandtorque]

Exactly - ka-boom is when you've a sump full of broken metal and con-rod shaped holes in the side of the block.

Everything else is merely inconvenient.

[procta]

Exactly - ka-boom is when you've a sump full of broken metal and con-rod shaped holes in the side of the block.

Everything else is merely inconvenient.

well for me, its how the water pissed out from the water pump, I have had one that started to go before, ( starting to drip) but this just let go there and then.


I have been that pissed off with the car, I haven't went near it since!  I have been researching on getting the head sent off. But we will have to remove the engine 1st. As it would make life a lot easier for us, for the timing belt side of things. 
We are going to need to stock up on a few tools 1st before we even go anywhere near it. My dad wants a decent torque wrench, and I want some good quality sockets and spanners. 
I might look at some upgrades too, as elise parts do a few things, that I might aswell put on this engine.
I am toying with the idea of fitting 160 pistons, for the sake of it. As I don't think this engine is a true 160.
I thinks its just a polished 143, we will sharp see though.

[procta]

I started this, for the 1st time to start and eye up on what my next move is, Head gasket has gone, I think it may have gone from the exhaust side.
I have started to think this engine was a ticking time bomb too, when I bought it.
Its funny as soon as it got some mileage use,
I have had smoke on start up and now the head gasket, i really need some help on pushing on with this, as i have practically lost all interest with it.

[Piggy]

Bwarp bwarp bwarp...

I wana see this thing one day...so you better fix it!

[procta]

Bwarp bwarp bwarp...

I wana see this thing one day...so you better fix it

i wouldn't mind seeing your 2.1 one day, as that is one hell of a project that, and its miles better than this is.

[Danny Wideboy]

K series in head gasket shocker, just get it done man. Shouldn't take too long.
Send the head away to be sorted and do the rest yourself.



What will you talk about if the metro goes,eh?

[Toms306]

K series in head gasket shocker, just get it done man. Shouldn't take too long.
Send the head away to be sorted and do the rest yourself.



What will you talk about if the metro goes,eh?

Teerkaweers!

[procta]

K series in head gasket shocker, just get it done man. Shouldn't take too long.
Send the head away to be sorted and do the rest yourself.



What will you talk about if the metro goes,eh?

 not as easy as just getting it done, if you want it done properly, 

been doing a bit of research into sorting this out, as i have been chatting to a fella that is well known in the K series business, and has told me a few things before i even go anywhere near it.
I have to get the head hardness tested, before it goes in for skimming. If it fails the hardness test, then the head is scrap. This is one of the reasons these engines can fail again too, even after they have been done, as not many places hardness test the heads before hand. 
I asked about getting the head checked with him, but he is fully booked till next year, as he is the only one that really specializes in these engines and is known to be the best.
I have a few options,

 take a gamble and get this head sent off and redone, by an engine specialist on Ebay, i will have to ask if they can hardness test it 1st and go from there.

Or i can put this one in for a recon head, but i will have to ask if there have a one ported and polished.

buy an upgraded head that's had everything done to it ported etc and shove this one in exchange.  I am looking at 1k for that. That's including the head gaskets etc.

if we were to touch the bottom too, I could be looking nearly 2k for everything.

Then there is the idea of binning the full lot, and going land rover.

[procta]

Something interesting if anyone on here cares,
I have done a bit of research on getting the head gasket sorted, and it will be nearly a year if I have want to put a upgraded/reworked head on it. Due to the specialist been fully booked to till then, and also who's to say what the story maybe next year. Also I do need this car back up and running, in case my mum needs a car for work.
I have spent a small fortune on the latest head gasket, which comes with the full works.
I do hope to Christ that this engine hasn't been bodged, other wise its game over and I will just put the cash to wards something else.
I may do some photos on the head gasket change, but we will have to play that one by ear.

i did install the GAZ dampers finally!! But again what should have been a hours work on both sides, turned into a pain in the arse!
The old dampers were practically plug in play, but with these GAZ dampers, caused a right head ache!
Installing was like for like, until doing the bottom nut and bolt up. The bush collar started thread and lock the bolt up, which locked the full lot up. So i ended up buying a new bolt and cutting the old one off! then pressing the old bolt out and repressing the bush back in. 
I had to spend a good 30mins or so, on filing the collar out, so that the replacement bolt would be go through with out any trouble.
After that all plug and play!

the old Pattern copy unit, ( oil filled thing)



the replacement GAZ damper



I took the car out for a quick run around the block to see what the story was, and I did run into electrical trouble, which turned out to be a slack earth.  Not good if you are going up a hill and the car wont rev and then just going dead! It decided to power up again after to mins. Went home and had a check, and sorted out the slack earth. Then took it out again, and all was well. The dampers are like night and day! the car seems not to be so rock solid . Its more like the 306 going over bumps, and handles nearly the same. I did keep an eye on things with the temp, due to the head gasket been f*cked or on its way.  So I think my love for the car is starting to be restored, well we will see when we get on with the head gasket side of things, That's going to be a challenge and half for me! I haven't done this before and its going to be the 1st time I have gone this far with an engine.
While I am at it, the front hose setups getting reworked too, and I did toy with a Oil cooler from the TF, but pluming it in would be tricky, due to the coil pack on this engine. ( I will have to have another look at it all again).
One more idea I have but that will have to wait, until the head gaskets done.
Got to say I forgot how fun it is to drive, and a fare few people a starting to look over and think, Christ that's a rare sight!

Things have really changed in the metro world now since I went back into metros in 2008, the value been one and what lot of people say about these now.  In fact things have changed massively since I started again with this car.
These have be come collectable now and have appeared in write-ups in papers and in classic car mags.

[Danny Wideboy]

Definitely take some pictures of the gasket change, we all love to see things taken apart and put back together again.
You going for a skim and new gasket then? Should be alright.

[procta]

Definitely take some pictures of the gasket change,  we all love to see things taken apart and put back together again.
You going for a skim and new gasket then? Should be alright.

I am going to send the head away, to get all that done.
I have already bought the head gasket for it, like I mentioned in the previous post, its costed a small fortune. But that's with everything in, Timing belt etc.
As for photos, I will.
Its a job I am bit worried on doing mind, this head gasket change, due to the timing belt side of things, and what every things may go wrong!

[Danny Wideboy]

You'll be fine mate.
Once you have done it you will wonder what you were so worried about.
If I can do it without help then anybody can.

[procta]

You'll be fine mate.
Once you have done it you will wonder what you were so worried about.
If I can do it without help then anybody can.

Thing is Dan, most things we have done haven't really gone smooth at all, even the simplest of jobs have turned into a bastard.
i think there have only been a spit full of things that have turned out ok.
All you can do is either Pray for me or laugh.
I know though when we did do the conversion for the 1st time 6 years ago, not sure if you were a member of the 306 family,
when that went tits up for me and my dad, practically everyone felt mine and my dads pain.
We had spent f*cking hours and weeks on it, only to have the engine to die and turn out to be a piece of bodged scrap.
I was really toying with the idea of do I bin it all off, and my dad really had lost all hope in it all.
It did do some damage to me mind, as I couldn't really enjoy the car anymore or even trust it.

[procta]

well I have made a start, I am as ready as I am going to be. I do hope to Christ this all goes well for me, as this is future or bust!
I prepped the car,




all stripped as far as I can until the big one!




a look at the water pipes and oil





yep looks like caramel, the coolant was water in the end anyway. didn't take that long to drain off,
So I left the car as it is now, until all water and oil is drained off over night.
This has cost f*cking fortune has it not so far!!
My dad came home, and we double checked the timing setup, as I timed the setup and locked it off. ready for the big one.
we decided to check what the crac is with the engine,
I took the engine number and had a look on what it is, as I have suspected that this engine isn't really a 160 unit.
But today I found out that its a 2003 160 engine, not a 143 unit as I suspected. Which is a massive bonus, when I bought this engine, it didn't have the correct rocker cover on, which made me think was it a 160. I did wrap the 143 setup on it, which is or was a better setup for tuning before the later stuff could be mapped up.  (this is going back 6 years now)
So I found out its newer than we thought it was, which is great.

[procta]

photos of the head off



still got more cleaning to do and more stripping, looks like I have caught it in time. Going to get the head sent off and sorted.
Not sure on the two pistons side of things there, might be off the oil stem seals failing there.
got to say this, I hope to Christ this works when I put the car back together! this is second major job I have done since the conversion!

[Danny Wideboy]

A decent gasket goes a long way to helping it stay together again.
Money well spent there.
Good work.

[procta]

A decent gasket goes a long way to helping it stay together again.  
Money well spent there.  
Good work.

Thanks dan, I have took some time and done everything one step at a time. I have even bought things before I have gone any further, and took so much time on cleaning everything out.

Well today I dropped the sump off the car and removed the oil rail, also got the head sent off today so that's now in the hands of the gods.
After all that I spent 2 hours in sanding down the face of the block, so I made sure that it was as good as I could get it, while the remains of the oil ran out from the bottom end.
Then I had a brew, and unwound down a bit, then I decided ok its time to put things back again.
So far I have fitted a new thermostat housing, water pump and connected the relevant pipe work, so that's the bottom end of the coolant system sorted out, also I checked the hose clips too, to make sure those were tight. Also tightened down a few bolts that were hard to get at, ( exhaust hanger for the front flexi) 
Then I proceeded to install the new oil rail, I will get some photos at some point, as I just really cracked on today, rather than take photos. I decided to put an end to the dirty oil, and changed the oil filter, while I could access it, with the rad out.
Even though it doesn't sound much, but I tell you what it looks like we have gone further forward now!
I am waiting on getting the head back so I can refit the sump. ( so I can see the bolts underneath, and make sure all is well.
Tomorrow is another day, I may fit the coil and inlet stand, but we will wait and see on that one.
So stage 2 is coming a long ok so far.
I have used a tin of brake cleaner on the engine so far, to make sure that bottom block surface is spot on!
Still a way to go, just taking it as it comes and taking my time.

[procta]

For the past few days the weather has been shite, So things have came to a bit of a stand still sadly.
Been buying the odd few things, mainly replacement bolts. The timing belt tensioner bolt looks like its bit suspect of chewing up so another one was bought. I have ordered off extra fancy bolts like I did for the rocker cover, as some are missing off the bottom and rear belt cover. So be nice to replace those while we are at it. Also bought a set of spare bolts too, for the car in case some look a bit odd. Or missing.
Also today I got a call back from the engine specialist who is doing the head, Good news on it, its not as bad as I thought it was, Oil stem seals are not bad at all, and the head its self is in good condition, It has warped a little bit but nothing major at all. Its been skimmed in the past too, but again nothing to drastic. At least it shows that I have jumped on it before things went really bad.
he is going to re tap one of my exhaust threads, one has totally been ripped out, not by me at all. Looks like who ever removed the manifold damaged the thread before I bought it. ( this engine did come out of a car that was been stripped and parts were sold on)
I have bought some new threads to go in when I nut the exhaust back on. saves the hassle of using a two nut jobbie in locking them in. all will be showing if all goes well.
Also the head has had a light polish too, and has been confirmed to be a 160 head, as I did think it was a 143, just been done up as a 160.
All I can do now is wait till the head comes back on Monday sometime, and go from there.

[procta]

done a few things today, and that was reface the water elbow, and change the temperature gauge sensor for the clocks, and repair the wiring to it. Also I had a bit of a tidy up of the wiring itself, as I never really got the chance since I re shell, and its been something that's bugged me. Moved a few earths as they look a mess where they are.
Still not sure on where I am going to mount my sender units for my gauges, i have thought about the top hose side but that never worked at all. I was thinking on tapping into the bottom hose, but i don't want to be chopping into that, as you cannot get those at all now! I might have a chat with elise parts and see what they can do.
Hopefully the head will be back tomorrow and I can at least make a start and finish off stage 2 and make a start on stage 3.

[Toms306]

Surely you want the temp sender on the engine side of the stat? When the stats not open you won't get the right reading from the rad or it's hoses.