Checking Crank

October 24th

Got the bits this week from Rover. So got started on replacing locating dowels, head gasket and setting up the timing. Placed the Woodruff Key on crank shaft. But would not fit correctly when trying to fit sprocket. After a bit persuasion with a hammer and old screw driver, sprocket located over key all ok. Was a bit concerned because in the manuals it did not say you had to bash the sprocket over the key. Bolted on new lower cover and pulley. Now whilst setting up timing was wondering how I was going to stop the cam sprockets from moving. I stumbled across some speaker wire that was just the right thickness to get in behind the sprockets.

This may just work I thought. Well it worked enough to stop the sprockets from turning. Job done. Now for the tensioner. This was a very easy job. Just a matter of one bolt and attaching spring to the little bronze nipple. Spoke to a friend of a friend who was coming down for our Halloween party next week and asked him about the tools as needed (as he is a mechanic). He said he would bring the tools down to finish off the engine (angle gauge for head bolts, etc.) I have also been looking at a clutch kit. I asked him if he had some contacts. Ordered a Ferodo clutch kit from him but was unable to get in time for party. Not too worry.

October 31st

Chris the friendly mechanic came for the Halloween party. What a great guy he is. After we bolted down the head. He showed me a trick of how to tighten the cam sprockets. Place a socket on a long extension bar and jam it in. Easy once you know how!!! Chris said while I'm here lets check the rest of the engine over. Crank etc. Placed engine on it's side and removed sump. Checked all bolts on bearing caps, etc, and showed me how it all worked. I've never seen a crankshaft in an engine before so I was quite excited. Unfortunately more bits to order. Chris recommended more sump bolts, sump gasket and new bolts for the oil pump as these have been rounded a bit. Oh well back to Rover for some more bits.

December

Spent most of November trying to get the oil strainer (as I found this was missing) and work commitments. Rover said that it was on back order and no idea of when the part would be ready. Phoned Chris my friendly mechanic who got one from his local rover dealer. Also got stuck with what sealant to use form the main bearing cap. One manual says RTV sealant, Haynes says. Got some sealant from Rover but did not state any of these description but did say for main bearing cap. Opened bottle and this was the picture I was greeted with. As you can see from the picture not a lot of sealant and with the texture would not be able to do a bead of sealant as per manuals. So went back to Rover who gave me 3 more bottles.

I also went to the local motor factors and got what is described as sealant compound (as per Haynes manual). So know I was left with what you can see here.


	Checking Crank October 24th Got the bits this week from Rover. So got started on replacing locating dowels, head gasket and setting up the timing. Placed the Woodruff Key on crank shaft. But would not fit correctly when trying to fit sprocket. After a bit persuasion with a hammer and old screw driver, sprocket located over key all ok. Was a bit concerned because in the manuals it did not say you had to bash the sprocket over the key. Bolted on new lower cover and pulley. Now whilst setting up timing was wondering how I was going to stop the cam sprockets from moving. I stumbled across some speaker wire that was just the right thickness to get in behind the sprockets. This may just work I thought. Well it worked enough to stop the sprockets from turning. Job done. Now for the tensioner. This was a very easy job. Just a matter of one bolt and attaching spring to the little bronze nipple. Spoke to a friend of a friend who was coming down for our Halloween party next week and asked him about the tools as needed (as he is a mechanic). He said he would bring the tools down to finish off the engine (angle gauge for head bolts, etc.) I have also been looking at a clutch kit. I asked him if he had some contacts. Ordered a Ferodo clutch kit from him but was unable to get in time for party. Not too worry. October 31st Chris the friendly mechanic came for the Halloween party. What a great guy he is. After we bolted down the head. He showed me a trick of how to tighten the cam sprockets. Place a socket on a long extension bar and jam it in. Easy once you know how!!! Chris said while I'm here lets check the rest of the engine over. Crank etc. Placed engine on it's side and removed sump. Checked all bolts on bearing caps, etc, and showed me how it all worked. I've never seen a crankshaft in an engine before so I was quite excited. Unfortunately more bits to order. Chris recommended more sump bolts, sump gasket and new bolts for the oil pump as these have been rounded a bit. Oh well back to Rover for some more bits. December Spent most of November trying to get the oil strainer (as I found this was missing) and work commitments. Rover said that it was on back order and no idea of when the part would be ready. Phoned Chris my friendly mechanic who got one from his local rover dealer. Also got stuck with what sealant to use form the main bearing cap. One manual says RTV sealant, Haynes says. Got some sealant from Rover but did not state any of these description but did say for main bearing cap. Opened bottle and this was the picture I was greeted with. As you can see from the picture not a lot of sealant and with the texture would not be able to do a bead of sealant as per manuals. So went back to Rover who gave me 3 more bottles. I also went to the local motor factors and got what is described as sealant compound (as per Haynes manual). So know I was left with what you can see here.