well the big chevy passed its mot this morning - no advisories - so I am not under any pressure for drive space. So I can take my time with the 3 as I can probably go till march without needing it. going to have another go at doing the timing this time with all tappets loosened except 1 :D.

having looked at some replacement engines I think I would be better stripping my own if it still smokes like a good un post timing. might try taking the drivers wing off to see if that improves visibility for the timing cover
 
well after a few days of too hot, rain and too cold, I ventured forth this morning. Couldn't see that removing the passenger wing would improve visibility of the timing cover, but removing that bolt on bit of the bulkhead did :D will have to get someone to watch for the markers lining up tough.

it does enhance the view from the engine bay as it lets light in by the cover but the viewing from the cab is much easier.

20160918_112038.jpg
 
well its all apart again and the chain is off :d

couple of things I did notice. thankfully the ratchet thingy and bolt were still in place but also I had forgotten to do up the locktab thing on the camshaft pulley, still , saves me having to undo it I suppose.

hopefully I will get a chance to do the timing and get it all back together during the week.
 
almost forgot, joy of joys, that sheared bolt had just enough sticking out of the casing - when the tensioner was removed - to grip and twist with some pliers and little by little it came out :D
 
whoo hoo we have ignition :D lot less smokey but I wouldn't call it smoke free. also seems to run slightly sweeter with the pump loose, does that mean the pump is worn?.

waiting for the new ratchet bolt and some gaskets to arrive before I can properly put it back together, just ran the engine for a few mins with the rocker and front covers loosely on.
 
Is that at idle? Sounds about right to me. They are old diesel technology after all

Mine looks quite clear on a warm sunny day. Turn night time with a car headlights behind and it looks quite smokey. Well within the smoke test though.

I'll be perfectly honest, it took me 4 years to arrive at the firm conclusion that mine runs how it should (smoke wise). I've always been critical of the smell and smoke colour level. A trusted old school mechanic tried to reassure me all the time and remembered working on them when they were relatively new back in the day.

Always looks like something is deteriorating engine wise when the colder Autumn and Winter mornings come (cold starts)

Give it a good run and see how she looks when properly hot.
 
Right, quick.

Get it on the bypass and thrash it. :D:D:D

Sounds good to me. I kind of like it at night with the headlights behind me. Get Agnus Dei on the radiogram and youd swear it was dry ice.

 
yes it is at idle, it fires up quicker than before and doesn't produce the gas cloud it used to especially when cold, bit of a a shame, used to like getting neighbours I don't like with that as they passed :D.

bolt and gaskets arrived yesterday so might get chance to put some of it together properly. once the cover is on I shall give the block a go with the pressure washer before the rad etc goes back on.

I know what you mean about driving in darkness too :D
 
yes it is at idle, it fires up quicker than before and doesn't produce the gas cloud it used to especially when cold, bit of a a shame, used to like getting neighbours I don't like with that as they passed :D.

bolt and gaskets arrived yesterday so might get chance to put some of it together properly. once the cover is on I shall give the block a go with the pressure washer before the rad etc goes back on.

I know what you mean about driving in darkness too :D

Then for the Italian Tune Up ....
 
managed to get the front and rocker covers on and gasketed up and gave the emgine a good soaking :D

wasn't impressed with the way lr series screwed the rocker cover gasket up to get it in the box.

pic of the old and new bolts, guess the new on is nos as it doesn't look too pristine.

20160922_100724.jpg
 
got more back together today, second water pump bolt I put on sheared, wasn't even tight, when I took the pump back off I could unscrew the offending headless bolt with my fingers. guess they must get a bit fatigued after 44 years of engine vibration.

had to drill a hole in the new air tube for the breather to fit.

everything is on bar the oil bath which I shall give a pressure wash on the outside tomorrow and treat it to some new oil.

ordered some new bolts and a sump gasket, might as well take the bottom off and see if there is anything in there that shouldn't be :D
 
well getting really bored waiting for my stuff to arrive from craddocks so I took the sump off today and found this half moon thing in the bottom as well as some bits of what appears to be instant gasket, but thankfully no other bits of metal.

I assume this piece is the thingy that goes in the groove on the crank and pulley to stop the moving in relation to the crank? if so as I have put the front cover back on is there much risk running without it?

20160928_145114.jpg
 
Last edited:

Similar threads