MG ZR: Cams & Maps

[Tom]

*insert moral support here*

Keep going chap, interesting read

[Toms306]

Try blowing it out with compressed air or something. The carbon should be alright but I'd worried about any little bits of grit that might've stuck in it.

[lolsteve]

It is nice to have a project thread with actually stuff happening rather than just rover abuse

Used a hoover on the pistons earlier, sucked up a couple of bits but will just live and let live with the remaining carbon. As people said will probably just burn off

Jonyallthenumbers dropped off the new waterpump, thermostat, coolant and belts. Fitted the waterpump already

Cam carrier sealant arrived so slapped that on and reattached to the head then torqued down the screwed by guesstimation however will now be using a torque wrench to ensure it's not over tight or too loose.

[Jonny81191]

will now be using a torque wrench to ensure it's not over tight or too loose.

Really? I never knew they were for that, I just use them as hammers

[devils_fuel]

Really? I never knew they were for that, I just use them as hammers

Or use them as pry bars?

Fantastic work Steve, you'll be proud once it's running sweet

[lolsteve]

you guys are dicks

Just changed thermostat, had to reuse the old seals as the new ones didnt quite fit. so will be keeping an eye on it

[devils_fuel]

Love ya Steve

[lolsteve]

Big thanks to jonny for the torque wrench which means the head is back on! Nothing has been more frightening than tightening up the head bolts trying to do two 180 turns for fear of them snapping.

To do list:
-Cambelt, tensioner + timing
-Crank pulley + other belts
-Reconnect wires/hoses
-Flush coolant
-Bleed system
-Turn her on and hope for the best

Other to do list:
-Finish heat wrapping manifold
-Bleed brakes and pedal has some travel
-Fit universal joint to gear changer for tighter gear changes
-Enjoy the fruits of my labour

[Niall]

haha yeah them stretch bolts are horrible when setting the degrees on them. Feel like they are going to snap but believe me they are well away from that. Ive actually tried to snap one before and had about 2 full turns after torquing it up and was putting virtually my full body weight on a 2ft bar and it finally went.

[procta]

good! you are practically there! just take your time!

[Niall]

And don't forget once you have done the belt, turn the engine over 2 full rotations (4 at the crank pulley) and try and fit the pins again and for god sake do not forget to take them out when you first start it!

[zx_volcane]

hehe, good work mr, keep it up - you'll be doing full engine rebuilds next

-Enjoy the fruits of my labour

engage smug mode

[Danny2009]

Not too far away now mate

Let it bed in a bit before you go bouncing off the limiter with the new found ponies :p

[lolsteve]

good! you are practically there! just take your time!

Will do, don't want to cuck up at the last hurdle now

And don't forget once you have done the belt, turn the engine over 2 full rotations (4 at the crank pulley) and try and fit the pins again and for god sake do not forget to take them out when you first start it!

Fit pins again? you mean the locking tools?

hehe, good work mr, keep it up - you'll be doing full engine rebuilds next

Not any time soon I hope, don't fancy having to do all this again just to get to the lower part of the engine

Not too far away now mate

Let it bed in a bit before you go bouncing off the limiter with the new found ponies :p

So close but still so much to do although here's hoping to finding some of those ponies
It has a nice long journey cruising to pugfest where it'll then get a nice bedding in on the hill plus I want to get it done with some time before to let it do smaller journeys that I can keep an eye on the fluids etc just in case

[Piggy]

good work buddy....easy bit now putting it all back together...cant go wrong now esp as I spotted you got some proper job type cambelt locking tool jobbies

[lolsteve]

It lives!!!
Engine sounded as bad as a 6' when starting but once the oil got moving about she sounds as good as she did before...mm

Having some trouble bleeding it I think as the bottom pipe stays quite cool and the engine is taking some time getting up to temperature on the gauge/interior fans although it's only water in there at the moment anyway so will need draining back out anyway.
Also should I be getting a small amount of white smoke out the back? Quick google suggests that the cat/exhaust could be wet and just needs drying off with a quick motorway blast but want the coolant system sorted first before I damage the new gasket

[Toms306]

Well done Steve.

Engines do take a while to heat up when you're not blowing exhaust into the coolant. As for the exhaust, it'll just be condensation from not being run, should clear up quickly.

[Niall]

Steam from the exhaust :/

Have you actually driven it yet? If i was you, take it for a nice drive (not giving it death) and see how it is after that.

[lolsteve]

Cheers Tom,
It's still on axle stands at the moment was just leaving them on there until I was sure the car was ready to drive off

[Jonny81191]

Get that system fully re bled, use the hose and tape method (tape a hosepipe into the top of the header tank, open the bleed screw and turn the hose on, just enough to bleed it through, there's no need for loads of pressure)

[Niall]

Tbh some steam on start up would be expected especially if it was blowing coolant down the exhaust but it should clear up fairly quickly.

[toseland]

i thought the suggestion that he turn the car's motor over 2 full turns was a bit harsh to be honest..

i know the suggestion was made to check the timing, but that used up 2 of the 6 full turns of the engine that the head gaskets on these things last,

that white smoke/steam is another failed head gasket



i do troll tho, as i ahve a soft spot for these.. love the colour too..

still want the ZT-T V8 tho...

[306Dan]

The k series engine always has a small amount of white smoke on start up anyway a lot of the time you just been paranoid, like others have said too with it having hgf already it's probably lobbed a load of coolant down your exhaust

[procta]

that's fine steve, as they do smoke a little, mine does and it not losing any coolant. just give it a good bleed. Then let it settle for a bit.

[Midnightclub]

still want the ZT-T V8 tho...

Boss has one of those, sat outside work now lol.. Sounds lovely!

[Fooby]

Good effort mate Hope to see it at the weekend!!

(not on the back of an AA truck)

[lolsteve]

Spent the afternoon bleeding the coolant and then braved it on the roads. Seems to be running sweet as a nut plus the new belts/tensioners mean the engine isn't whining anymore so sounds in better condition...except the warped discs

[procta]

great!! just a shame a bout the shell been so heavy.

[bashbarnard]

Glad to hear your not giving up on it.

[Curt]

Nice work dude nice feeling when you get it sorted.