Work has started!

Just started work on my £550 156 that I bought last weekend! It was sold cheap as one of the head gaskets has a slight blow at >4000 RPM and was pressurizing the coolant system. I've been stripping it all down today and got as far as I can until some new tools arrive.

Here are some pics...

good on ya! Those long summer evenings will fly by.

Good luck. Hope the hard work is worth it

Managed to do a bit more today. Those italians must have small hands cos nothing is easy to get to in there! The front head came off complete without removing the camshaft pulleys, so now I can get a decent socket on them on the bench. The water pump wasn't in bad nick but is the plastic impellered original?

It's all that olive oil, stunts the growth, have you seen how short the Dolmio people are???

Regarding the plastic impellor, you can and should get a metal one, this was an isue with the 166 V6's. We always made sure the pump was changed for a metal impellor type at the first oppotunity.

I had planned to change the water pump as a matter of course as it's such a pig to get to! As a whole the cooling system seems a little odd with the way it flows from the pump into the heads and around the liners and seems to just overflow back. It obviously works though! Just need to tackle those awkward rear exhaust manifold bolts tonight and then the heads can be stripped and checked/ skimmed

Originally Posted by stp

Those italians must have small hands

haha, i've said that many times.

Not a good car to work on if you have sausages for fingers like me! You need a spare socket set and be prepared to cut them down to fit places and one of those bendy inspection mirrors is a must!

and a magnet on a telescopic pole. so handy!

I've never had much trouble, and i have replaced a crank sensor on a 145 raised only 2 inches off the ground!!!

Originally Posted by ransoman

I've never had much trouble, and i have replaced a crank sensor on a 145 raised only 2 inches off the ground!!!

So how are Cinderella and the other 6 dwarfes getting on? Not heard much since Shrek 3, hope your all fine.

leave stuart little alone smaky

Originally Posted by Smaky

So how are Cinderella and the other 6 dwarfes getting on? Not heard much since Shrek 3, hope your all fine.

lol, my hands aren't that small but i managed to get it up the back of the engine with much pain. Also, the sump was worringly close to my stomach and i was laying on my back.(i am very skinny).

sorry andrew, but i must admit you do have woman-hands..

rofl

Not having much luck at the moment. Managed to undo the rear exhaust manifold nuts but have rounded off the 2 nuts connecting the manifold to the downpipe. I spat my dummy out and thought it would be best if I came in!

Does anyone know what should mount on these 3 studs? is it where I mount a big turbo?

Finally got round to removing the rear head It was all a bit of a mess in there, but once I inspected the head gasket it was clear it had failed (No 1 cylinder) I also found a mystey object in the bore although it can't have run with it in there? the picture isn't great but its a tube with a ball bearing in one end and open the other, It was also covered in oil. Its possible it fell in after the spark plug was removed but I can't see where from!

Now the expense starts as I need;

Heads checked/ skimmed
Head gasket set
Cam belt + pulleys + tensioner
Water pump
Aux drive belt
Spark plugs
Top rad hose (Split)
Bottom rad hose (Perished)
Thermostat (Stuck open)
Custom intake as both air box & bendy intake hose are beyond repair
and a top engine mount!

Dont forget to put something in place to prevent all the cylinder liners from being disturbed on their bottom seals if you plan to rotate the crankshaft at all (assuming you aren't going to reseat them on new ones).

Could the mystery object be a locating dowel or part of the oil supply system to the head? If the ball bearing is loose, could it be a non-return valve?

Not planning on turning the engine until the heads are back on as I have only just recieved my 41mm socket for the crankshaft pulley. I think you are right about it being a non return valve as the ball is loose in there.

I used my metal engineering rule on the heads tonight and could see light through it in some places so will definately send them off for a skim. Can anyone recommend a good engineers in North Essex for this?

Handy hint #257 - If like me you can't wait for your sprocket holding tool to get your camshaft pulleys off, use a plumbers bath tap spanner

Originally Posted by Smaky

It's all that olive oil, stunts the growth, have you seen how short the Dolmio people are???

this looks like one hell of a project! i was shocked at how big and beautiful(!) that engine was then realised it was the 2.5!