Little bit of an update Well its been a while after waiting for the engine rebuild kit to arrive from the states and finding the time to put it back together, which was nowhere near as easy as dismantling the engine! Plus I'm sure there were pixies stealing nuts and bolts, even after they were bagged and tagged and put in one box! Few pictures of the progress. Whilst we were waiting on a few bits and pieces we brought the front down so it wasn't so much Grandma going out for her groceries. Got the car through an MOT Car is now Road legal again in the UK and took it to its first outing of the year But noticed something wasn't sounding right and established it was not getting any compression in one cylinder. So went home on the back of the big yellow taxi. With alot of help from a friend, worked out that it was one of the valves in the head, which had been machine shop rebuilt for a fair sum of money. Took it apart and one of the valves was sticking open and should never have been put back in during the rebuild. Its broken the guide, scuffed the piston and now my engine is in bits again. Now need to see what the machine shop have to say. Hopefully there is no damage to the piston and they will replace the valve as they should have done. Its been a stressful but informative journey that doesn't look like its over yet!!! Not sure I would do it again in a hurry but definitely worth it.
nice car and cool color choice. building the engine yourself is I think the best part because you learn so much and you get to know every nut and bolt. too bad for you with that machine shop. it happens all the time here they take your money and do a very poor job. I try to stick with shop I know or a friend knows they did a good job on there car. the problem with everybody these days is theyre in a hurry to get the work done. then they dont see something or they skip a step and dont notice until you come back telling them they screwed up good luck
Wheels were on the list to be changed but everything has cost a bit more than expected and I'm coming over to the states next month on holiday so maybe next year!! Really just wanted to get the car running right and have the option to open the bonnet and not feel ashamed!! Thanks, I had to buy the air filter under the radar as the other half didn't approve but I love it!! The machine shop are double checking all the work they have done. Fingers crossed I can get the heads back soon and get a few runs before the snow starts!
Thanks! Wichita Falls, Texas and Las Vegas. A week in each place, staying with friends, luckily. One of the amazing outcomes of playing softball here in the UK, met some awesome people who came over from the states and toured with us for a season and they are taking me in.
