427 replies to this topic

[theolodian]

OK, despite the trouble referred to above I had a productive afternoon on the car yesterday. The wishbone brackets and the tranny mount bracket are in and torqued down. I think that I will look up the specified torque for the wishbone brackets though (M10 nut and bolt). I did them to 40Nm but I am worried that they could still shift position slightly. The shear panel bolts are supposed to be 24Nm, but only 2 of the 5 bolts along the front edge would torque down. The other rivnuts were spinning. Hence the beauty of having an air impact hammer to get the bolts out of spinning rivnuts. Otherwise it probably would have ended up with cutting and drilling, which would have been an almighty mess. Borrowing a rivnut tool from techieboy, so hopefully I will be able to tighten up the rivnuts with that. I couldn't do it with a long bolt and a nut. I ran the heater hose across the firewall. As Vocky told me, originally it hangs below the mounting points, but if you flip the P-clips so that it runs above the mounting points it looks tidier. Similarly, I don't seem to have run the fuel lines quite the way they were originally, but I think that they are probably tidier this way. Slave cylinder is on the GB. It just needs the hard line installed, and bolting up to the engine now. Vocky mentioned an o-ring, but I couldn't find any sign of one so waiting to sort that out. I also found my short shifter and a few other bits ready to be installed. (Doing the short shifter and GB breather fitting.) The only thing that I am still struggling to do is to weigh my flywheel. I had it machined down, but I would like to know by how much. So really, everything is ready to take the engine off the stand, bolt the final stuff on, and drop it in the car. Happy days!

[Duncan VXR]

Well done Theo will be nothing left to help you with at this rate Have the scales, just not seen you since - will sort your heater box out this week also DG

[theolodian]

Well done Theo will be nothing left to help you with at this rate

Have the scales, just not seen you since - will sort your heater box out this week also

DG

Don't worry, we can still find plenty to do.

Cheers for the scales and the heater box.

[vocky]

here is a pic of the slave cylinder pipe connector seal

pipe on the left which should have the seal fitted (it's missing in this pic), the seal (inside the plastic bag) and the alloy connector where the seal can normally be found

M32 6 speed shown

Edited by vocky, 16 November 2009 - 04:56 PM.

[theolodian]

OK, thanks Vocky. I am pretty sure that I have that. I will try to run by tomorrow and take a pic. However, should I look into buying a new one just to be safe or can you get to it without taking the box off? Cheers.

[vocky]

you don't need the gearbox off to fit, it sits on the outside of the gearbox BUT............ vauxhall don't sell the seal on it's own, you guessed it, it comes with a brand new slave cylinder and pipe attached

[theolodian]

huge huge HUGE HUGE thanks to Vocky and Duncan VXR for an afternoon session that resulted in major progress!

Flywheel, clutch, gearbox, starter, etc. back on the engine. Whole lot back in the car and pretty much ALL connected up, even the coolant resevoir!

Steering column installed (at some random orientation ), bolted down and wired up. A few screams from yours truly due to the VX form of waterboarding (laying under the dash).

I generally watched, Vocky made me and Duncan run all over for the wrong tools, and Duncan took all of 30 seconds to get his first scratch.

[vocky]

me, make you guys run around for tools and then say "oh don't worry, I don't need it anyway", would I do that ps: think my hand is broken, must remember not to hit it with a hammer

[theolodian]

Other details; Techieboy was a lot of help with a rivnut tool. However, unfortunately it doesn't do 8mm rivnuts. I was able to do one rivnut for the heater duct. After much struggling, Vocky was able to get one 8mm rivnut in for the engine ground strap. I still need to do the shear panel under the fuel tank, so if anyone has an 8mm rivnut tool please get in touch! All 3 of my gearboxes have the 'new' rubber bit in the shifter arm. This does not fit the el cheapo short shifter. Therefore, another trip to the machine shop is in order. Duncan pointed out that our faffing around with the steering column would have been a lot trickier with the windscreen in.

[theolodian]

ps: think my hand is broken, must remember not to hit it with a hammer

I hope it feels better!

ps: must remember to not distract Vocky at the wrong time . . .

[vocky]

ps: must remember to not distract Vocky at the wrong time . . .

turning around whilst attempting to hit a drift with a hammer usually equals pain

[theolodian]

ps: must remember to not distract Vocky at the wrong time . . .

turning around whilst attempting to hit a drift with a hammer usually equals pain

Errrr, sorry about that. For getting hurt working on my car, and for being the distraction.

I defo owe many beers, maybe those will help.

ps: You and Duncan have similar self-harm tendencies.

[theolodian]

A few more details: The 8mm rivnut mentioned above was put in with a nut/bolt/washer/grease/vise combo. This was necessary because the Turbo tub did not have a rivnut where the NA groundstrap goes, but there is a hole. My lightened stock flywheel came in at 7.6 kilos, most of the difference at the outer edge. I don't know what the stock one is. There is more room to take material off for sure, but I wanted something mild. Also, there is no 'resetting' the NA pressure plate like on the turbo. The fuel lines are swapped where they go through the bulkhead to the fuel tank. However, they install rather neatly that way, certainly not worse than originally. I do need to get some rubber hose to keep one part from rubbing, but that is it. Although the backstays for the roll hoop are on they are not tight. The car needs to be on the ground when they are tightened or they will push the roll hoop forwards and the roof will not fit. Words of wisdom from Vocky.

[Duncan VXR]

Well I for one was happy with the progress made in sub 4hrs definetly another milestone reached and had a good evening of drinking Theo's pop collection and general car chit chat Not suprised your hand hurts vocky - could hear the metalic banging of the hammer onto the drive pin followed by a noise of flesh and bone meeting metal claw hammer - never good, hope it heals quick I managed to cut myself weighing Theo's flywheel within 5 mins of been there - got to love vx's lol What never ceases to make me chuckle is how quick certain bolts / jobs on the engine can be done with no clam on or even better engine out of the car rather than 45mins of pain with all the bits on for certain the steering column would be a royal PITA with the windscreen on Not knowing the 2.2 setup I learned a lot about the baby power lumps (you will never beat the turbo power ) You forgot to mention the breather pipe mod done also which is a lot better than the rubber hose solution If Theo ever helps you keep his big red snap on hammer out the way - he like to use it for all jobs :D:D lol DG

[theolodian]

The convincer always works. Well, if not used unduly. Yes, good to do the GB breather mod. Also, good call on drilling out the ECU security bracket while the engine was out.

[Duncan VXR]

It looked a bugger to drill with the engine out - would be a real pain to do with the clam on - great top tip from Vocky And for once I was home on time when I said I would be (1st lol) Theo was too scared to challenge the love of his life if he could stay out and play longer with his friends .............Sarah said I am allowed to play cars with you both again as you are good boys Look forward to the next session - maybe try and save up brownie points for a full day next time DG

[vocky]

I'm looking forward to using my 9" cutting disc on the old tub

[Duncan VXR]

I'm looking forward to using my 9" cutting disc on the old tub

I meant to mention that think we all got a bit excited at that thought you had better not go near it with your poor hand

If only you knew in advance!

[theolodian]

I'm looking forward to using my 9" cutting disc on the old tub

I meant to mention that think we all got a bit excited at that thought you had better not go near it with your poor hand

If only you knew in advance!

If you guys are that keen I'll let you cut it small enough to haul in the shed. I could use the cash of selling the alloy.

I would like to keep the windscreen surround for doing a heated windscreen though.

[vocky]

you had better not go near it with your poor hand

it's much better today, just badly bruised rather than broken bones, at least I can move my fingers now