MG ZR: Cams & Maps

[lolsteve]

Interesting day to say the least


Timing up the engine to get it ready to take head off and wait a minute...the crank doesn't line up...it's about 6 teeth out but the cams are right...looks like the previous person lined it up to tdc rather than the timing mark. This means the engine has been running around 6 teeth out for god knows how long. This resulted in two things
1) very white valves
2) a slight , and i mean slight, kissing of the pistons on cylinder 3

Once head was off it was straight to work fitting new cam and the offset dowels except the original dowel in the vvc mech broke and wouldn't come out and we resorted to trying to drill it out for about 2 hours. Which didn't go very well, luckily blueys old engine was nearby and a quick pillage from that had everything back to the way it should be. Ended the nearly 12 hour day with getting the head back together and put in place ready for bolt fitting tomorrow 

Also found out i have a 143 head, not as big a deal as I thought since many 143 owners can make good power. its just the improved valve design on the 160 is better for low lift breathing. However have been reading about larger valves that are a direct fit anyway so will be looking into doing that in the future with porting and polishing providing it does well this show season