Head Off

Purchased some workshop manuals. Rover 200/400 which included the turbo, Rover 25 Electrical diagram and borrowed the Haynes manuals for Rover 820 and Rover 216 from library.

Bought the bits I needed for the engine. All the timing belt components. Timing Belt, front and back covers and tensioner and bits. I have tried every where to get the correct tools. Going by the manual I will need three tools for the timing bits.

Crankshaft Pulley bolt holding tool

A pin to hold the flywheel

Camsprocket holding tool

I tried every where but it was either only for K series or in a complete kit for other makes of cars. Not what I wanted for just a one of job.

15th October 2004

Collected bits from Rover. Front cover bolts did not arrive. But that was no big deal as at lease I can start work on the engine over the weekend. I estimated that I would have the engine all prepped and timed up over the weekend ready with new covers.

16th October 2004

Open garage door and stared at engine. The thought of man against machine came to mine. With a bit deep breath I opened the build manual and read the sections that I had read several times before.

Followed instructions in manual and remove top covers, and throttle module. Not sure why but the manual said so so I did. Unbolted cylinder Head bolts. All seeming to going too easy at the moment. With a one big breath lifted the cylinder head off the block onto the stand. you can see from the picture the broken rear cover.

Checking out the pistons, not sure what I'm looking for, but all seem to be clean and new looking. While looking at the pistons my daughter appeared. What are you doing? Was her words. I had to think for a minute about that one!!! So I explained in 8 year old terms that the pistons go up and down to make the car go along. I have an idea. I'll show you by moving the crank pulley bolt to move the pistons up and down. Got the extension bar attached to pulley bolt and turned anti clock wise. You may remember that I was worried about a special tool that I needed to remove this bolt. Well the bolt just un did without much of an effort. Apologised to my daughter for not showing her but overjoyed that the bolt has released.

Know it's time to turn to the rear timing belt cover replacement (another tool I needed) and remove the cam sprockets. Had an idea as I could not get this tool anywhere. I wondered if the bolts would break behind holding the rear cover if I levered something against them???

Oh lets give it a go as someone's looking down on me today (Crankshaft pulley bolt). With an old spanner wedged in the sprocket tried the ratchet on the bolt. Hey Presto it unbolted!!! Tried with second sprocket and again no problem!!! someone's helping me today. On a quick note this is the garage I am planning to build the car in!!! I major tidy up needed I'm thinking!!!

Fitted new rear cover and bolted on sprockets by hand. Tried same trick with spanner to tighten up bolts but this did not work but hey this can be done at a later time. Thinking perhaps I will find somewhere to buy the tool or beg and borrow one. I can at least finish off and time the engine and do this at a later date. Looking at manual there are two locating dowels to locate the head on refitting. Again I'm not too sure if they are important (they are two small plastic looking tubes). But I one have one installed in engine. Hmm looked at the watch and it's 2 minutes to 1PM. Rush to the phone to see if Rover are open for parts. they have just closed was the response. Arrhhhh. So I put every thing together again just tighten by hand to clear the garage. What to keep the other half happy!! Will have to wait until Monday to order parts.


	Head Off Purchased some workshop manuals. Rover 200/400 which included the turbo, Rover 25 Electrical diagram and borrowed the Haynes manuals for Rover 820 and Rover 216 from library. Bought the bits I needed for the engine. All the timing belt components. Timing Belt, front and back covers and tensioner and bits. I have tried every where to get the correct tools. Going by the manual I will need three tools for the timing bits. Crankshaft Pulley bolt holding tool A pin to hold the flywheel Camsprocket holding tool I tried every where but it was either only for K series or in a complete kit for other makes of cars. Not what I wanted for just a one of job. 15th October 2004 Collected bits from Rover. Front cover bolts did not arrive. But that was no big deal as at lease I can start work on the engine over the weekend. I estimated that I would have the engine all prepped and timed up over the weekend ready with new covers. 16th October 2004 Open garage door and stared at engine. The thought of man against machine came to mine. With a bit deep breath I opened the build manual and read the sections that I had read several times before. Followed instructions in manual and remove top covers, and throttle module. Not sure why but the manual said so so I did. Unbolted cylinder Head bolts. All seeming to going too easy at the moment. With a one big breath lifted the cylinder head off the block onto the stand. you can see from the picture the broken rear cover. Checking out the pistons, not sure what I'm looking for, but all seem to be clean and new looking. While looking at the pistons my daughter appeared. What are you doing? Was her words. I had to think for a minute about that one!!! So I explained in 8 year old terms that the pistons go up and down to make the car go along. I have an idea. I'll show you by moving the crank pulley bolt to move the pistons up and down. Got the extension bar attached to pulley bolt and turned anti clock wise. You may remember that I was worried about a special tool that I needed to remove this bolt. Well the bolt just un did without much of an effort. Apologised to my daughter for not showing her but overjoyed that the bolt has released. Know it's time to turn to the rear timing belt cover replacement (another tool I needed) and remove the cam sprockets. Had an idea as I could not get this tool anywhere. I wondered if the bolts would break behind holding the rear cover if I levered something against them??? Oh lets give it a go as someone's looking down on me today (Crankshaft pulley bolt). With an old spanner wedged in the sprocket tried the ratchet on the bolt. Hey Presto it unbolted!!! Tried with second sprocket and again no problem!!! someone's helping me today. On a quick note this is the garage I am planning to build the car in!!! I major tidy up needed I'm thinking!!! Fitted new rear cover and bolted on sprockets by hand. Tried same trick with spanner to tighten up bolts but this did not work but hey this can be done at a later time. Thinking perhaps I will find somewhere to buy the tool or beg and borrow one. I can at least finish off and time the engine and do this at a later date. Looking at manual there are two locating dowels to locate the head on refitting. Again I'm not too sure if they are important (they are two small plastic looking tubes). But I one have one installed in engine. Hmm looked at the watch and it's 2 minutes to 1PM. Rush to the phone to see if Rover are open for parts. they have just closed was the response. Arrhhhh. So I put every thing together again just tighten by hand to clear the garage. What to keep the other half happy!! Will have to wait until Monday to order parts.