Mk1 F4R/172'd Track Car Project [Year 3 - Engine and Chassis Rebuild]

[f0xy]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

Be aware though dude, even if you buy new valves, they'll need cutting in.....

yeah realised that lol...........with the amount of other things that need buying paying out circa 150 quid for new valves is near out of the question!

 

[mini-valver]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

Grind yours in, take a couple of hours but you'll get xactly the same result as new valves!

Mine are 3 angle seats, had 2 sets when it was being built after we found that bit of torx bit in the cambelt, lol.

 

[f0xy]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

ok...will try it and see what happens.

and WTF lol....i didnt hear about this rig up torx bit? pmsl.

 

[mini-valver]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

Built the engine, turn it over by hand, fine. Started it, bent the inlet valves. Took the belt off, bit of torx bit stuck in the inside of the belt, made the belt jump a tooth. Meh, lol.

 

[f0xy]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

Built the engine, turn it over by hand, fine. Started it, bent the inlet valves. Took the belt off, bit of torx bit stuck in the inside of the belt, made the belt jump a tooth. Meh, lol.

nice! LOL.

 

[Chadwick]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

Top project fella!

You've put a smile on my face! Somone has given me a straight awnser to my high idle speed after thrashing it! Cheers, im getting the part orderd tomorrow!

 

[f0xy]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

Day 78

Bit of an update....done 1500miles or so on the F7R, and its used nearly all the oil. Coolant is still going down, but doesn't seem to be running as hot...

Did a 300ish mile drive last night, and it was ok, nothing seemed to have gone wrong, until this morning. I went out to the car, unlocked it, started it, and the hazards started flashing, lol, the alarm was going off.

Turned the car off, locked it, unlocked it, and started it again, it ran for a couple of hundred yards then the hazards started flashing again. No idea why the alarm wouldn't dis-arm, so i had to unplug all the boxes and wires associated with the alarm, then start the car, and it was fine. Problem was, I couldn't use the central locking as its part of the alarm I think, the blip just didn't want to work.

No idea whats causing that and I couldn't be bothered to look in the rain, so it can wait!

Anyway, the 320 mile drive yesterday was to go and pick up a Williams manifold, it was a decent price so decided to just get it.

I'm going to wrap the manifold and downpipe, to try and keep heat off the coolant bottle/header tank, and try and keep the bay tempratures down.

I've also been stripping down the F7P engine, removing the cam covers, inlet manifold, engine mounts and other bits, so I can paint them and put them on the engine when its rebuilt.

This is part of the top cam cover, where the HT leads are clipped into, not sure if i need a new seal for this....will have to find out....or does anyone know?

Anyway....nothing much else to update, only that ive got a ton of parts to buy. Then i need to lift my engine out, build the williams head up (Not sure what im doing about the valves yet) then swap the head onto the engine. I also want to swap the clutch and gearbox to the ones from the F7P engine, and fit the parts I paint to the F7R lump.....then put it back in, lol...more soon!

 

[jams]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

Very nice jord coming along nicely as always. Can't wait to see this on track don't think my hips are quite ready for your buckets yet but they will be by the 12th December

 

[Ian]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

Turned the car off, locked it, unlocked it, and started it again, it ran for a couple of hundred yards then the hazards started flashing again. No idea why the alarm wouldn't dis-arm, so i had to unplug all the boxes and wires associated with the alarm, then start the car, and it was fine. Problem was, I couldn't use the central locking as its part of the alarm I think, the blip just didn't want to work.

No idea whats causing that and I couldn't be bothered to look in the rain, so it can wait!

Same thing happened to mine Jord, first day of owning it. Ended up taking the alarm module out as well. Central locking still works though, so I guess the wiring is different. Never found out what was wrong with it!

 

[f0xy]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

lol! its well odd how its only just started doing it aswell

 

[Mark One]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

as far as i know that seal is not an issue at all. Probably more to prevent rattle than anything.

 

[f0xy]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

Day 79

Stripped the head down this evening to inspect all the valves....and decide weather i want to replace them all or not....

Started by taking the top off the head, so the valves were easier to remove...

Then used a valve spring compressor/remover to remove the valves one by one

Then removed the stem seals and cleaned up the head...

More soon!

 

[mini-valver]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

You need to make sure the springs and collets go back on the right valve and the right valve goes back into its original guide too!

 

[Brett]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

Bloody hell jord all the oil in 1500 miles not good. When you hoping to have all the mechanical side finished by, the 12th for oulton.

 

[f0xy]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

You need to make sure the springs and collets go back on the right valve and the right valve goes back into its original guide too!

all labelled and put in seperate bags

Bloody hell jord all the oil in 1500 miles not good. When you hoping to have all the mechanical side finished by, the 12th for oulton.

3rd december.....going in for new exhaust on the 5th lol

 

[BRUN]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

if you want some bulk oil mate i can sort you out with 20L for £27, 10W-40 semi synth

 

[f0xy]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

im gonna nip up tommorow martin, got a list of parts to order lol

 

[DCI_DUDE]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

looking good jord !! Can not wait to see it all done !!

 

[f0xy]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

running a bit behind with the rebuild, not even managed to get the engine back out yet.....alot of bits arrived today....

• 10w40 Engine Oil (10L)
• Elf TRZ 75w80 Gearbox Oil (4L)
• Renault Coolant (5L)
• Genuine Renault Spark Plugs x 4
• Genuine Renault Fuel Filter
• Complete Head Gasket Set (Head Gasket, Inlet Manifold Gasket, Exhaust Manifold Gasket, Camshaft End Seals, Valve Stem Seals and various other gaskets)
• Set of 10 Head Bolts
• Low Temperature Thermostat
• Low Temperature Fan Switch
• High Temp Exhaust Manifold Sealant + Steel Ties

Also thanks to BRUN/Renault Parts St Helens for some stupidly good prices and deals since i've been doing the Mk1, especially with regards to the last order I just picked up.

Anyway I'm picking up the Williams manifold in the morning that has been shot blasted to clean it up, then its going to be wrapped with heat wrap.....mixed opinions on this stuff it seems, but I thought i would try it, mainly to try and keep engine bay temps down...

Other things on the list to get are a distributor cap and rotor arm, some 8mm HT leads, and a couple of other bits and bobs....

Still don't know if I am going to build the head up with brand new valves or not, as I cant seem to get them from anywhere. If I've got any hope to have this running by mid week I'm going to have to re-lap the old valves and hope for the best :approve:

 

[Brett]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

Busy weekend then jord? Hope you get it all sorted in time for you exhaust.

 

[adamlewis01]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

car looks mint, want you wallet!

 

[f0xy]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

will update thread tonight, loads of stuff to show

 

[Naith]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

chop chop boyo, im tres excited

 

[mini-valver]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

Show Nicks stress about his warning lights, lol.

 

[drunknmunky]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

Show Nicks stress about his warning lights, lol.

among of alot of other things lol

 

[mini-valver]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

Sorted?

 

[f0xy]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

Day 84

Picked up the williams manifold today, had it shotblasted to clean it up. I sprayed it with some high temp paint, so the wrap was not going onto bare metal...

 

[f0xy]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

Day 85

The plan was to wrap the manifold and downpipe today, but what a nightmare it turned out to be...never thought it could be such a pain to keep tight. Measured the length for each pipe in turn, then cut to length, then wet the wrap and put it onto the manifold. I ended up using wire tie to begin with, as the steel cable ties I had seemed to be s**te...

 

[f0xy]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

Day 86

After much thought, i decided to buy a set of 16 new valves to rebuild the head with, may aswell do it all if im going this far. After a long search, I managed to source a place with enough in stock in Leeds, so got a lift (cheers drunknmunky) up there to get them.....£150 later I had a set of new valves.

Seeing as I was going to be fitting new valves, i decided to clean the head up properly. Cleaned the dishes first, then the head face itself...

I wasnt going to get the head skimmed, but thought I may aswell considering im replacing nearly everything on it...so I dropped it off at the engineering place that I use.

On the way back from Leeds, we called in at screwfix direct to pick up some steel cable ties, to use on the manifold and downpipe. When I got home I used them to replace the wire tie, still got one branch to do though...

I also set about beginning to remove the engine this evening, considering ive only got until friday to build up the head and put it onto the car, as thats when im booked into JP Exhausts. Although, this was soon put to a stop when I couldnt find the locking wheel nut key to remove the wheels, which I needed to do so I could remove the driveshafts....

After spending 3 hours searching the garage from top to bottom, I gave up and left it for the night...

 

[f0xy]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

Day 87

I finished the manifold wrap this morning, all the branches are now done. I have also sealed the downpipe with the black sealant, will put some pics up when the manifold is done with it too...

The next problem I had was the locking wheel nuts, and not being able to find the key. I tried smashing a socket onto it, which just slipped. I then went to Halfords, to get one of their locking wheel nut removal tools, which was completely useless as they both were too big for my locking wheel nuts...will have to take those back at some point. Last try was to go to the local garage to see if they had any ideas, it was my lucky day as they had a tool that got them straight out!

The place that was skimming the head for me told me to come back to pick it up today around half 5ish, so I headed back towards Warrington. Came up to a set of lights, went to pull away as they went green, and snap....clutch cable snapped. I was in the fast lane of a duel carrigeway, in rush hour, the worst possible combination.

After sitting there for 10 minutes, my luck struck again as Christopher went past on his way home from work, and pulled over. He helped me push it off the road, while I waited for the RAC...

Once the RAC showed up, they made a replacement cable. Once it was fitted, he went to test the pedal, and snap again. He tried one last time with a third cable, which ended up snapping the pedal itself. I think there is something up with either the box or the clutch....so he towed me back home and thats where it was left.

Now, im still booked into JP for friday, but the car is undrivable...I haven't got time to build up the head by then, only enough time to swap the box and clutch to my spare ones, so I started to remove the engine tonight. Hopefully tomorrow I can swap the box and clutch, and get it back in the car, drivable for friday. After the exhaust has been made, I will take the engine back out again at the weekend, and fit the head, as I will have it built up by then I hope.....all in time for Oulton Park on the friday!

More soon!

 

[snick01]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

s**t thats some seriously bad luck!

 

[Guppy]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

i dont kno whta to believe? 3 snapped cables or chris being able to push your car!

sh*t luck tho mate. GL trying to get it ready for friday

 

[Christopher]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

I love rush-hour traffic!

Cnuts!

Manifold looks mint now it's wrapped! Proper job!

If you need a lift anywhere lad, just text me, i've got a free weekend so far

 

[Mark One]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

manifold wrap looks a really nice job mate.

 

[B5 BDJ]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

unlucky mate, not having the best of luck with the mk1!

nice update though, manifold wrap looks good.

 

[Winston]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

Manifold wrapping in the kitchen..... your getting there son, working your way up to subframe builds lol

 

[fuel_slut]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

dddammeeee, you have the worst luck dude.

Hope you sort it out but sounds like an EPIC job! :-/

 

[Brett]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

Unlucky with the cluch/box jord. Hope its all sorted for oulton. I'm sure it will work out in the end.

 

[f0xy]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

Day 88

Got up early today, my day off uni (10am, lol)...set about getting the engine out of the car again....stupidly cold day again, but an hour or so later...

Once it was out, I waited around for the taxi to pick me up (drunknmunky/Nick, lol)...who took me up to the engineering place that had skimmed the Williams head for me...

From there, we headed to Winstons, to get a clutch cable and pedal from his valver shell...lifesaver once again

Last thing to do was to go and remove the gearbox and clutch from the valver engine, and get them back to my house. Eventually got the box off, along with the clutch, and put them in the car. The clutch that was on the valver engine is only 6 months old, and the box was a re-con around the same time, so these will be better to use in the long run anyway...

While I had been out for most of the day, the wrapped manifold and downpipe were drying after I sealed them earlier in the day. In person they look black, no idea why the look grey in the picture!

I needed to remove the box and clutch from the engine before I could fit the others obviously...

6 month old clutch vs other

Before I put the newer gearbox onto the engine, I wanted to replace the end cap seal, to ensure it would definately not leak, picked the seal up from Renault a while back...

Once I had done that, I fitted the newer clutch to the engine, using a trusted rig-up method....lined up first time

Once the clutch was on, I attempted to put the gearbox on. This ended up being an absolute pain, I have no idea why, but after 5 or 6 attempts I got it on and bolted on tight....

Was getting late now, and I wanted to finish off for the night, but I had one last thing to do. I wanted to remove the valver exhaust manifold so I could put the Williams one on before friday, so the exhaust that I have made is correct for what I want....But as usual, I hit another problem when two of the 8 bolts rounded off, and I couldnt get them off

Will have to have a think about that for tommorow, as I ideally want the williams manifold on. I put everything in the garage for the night, as you can see its nice and tidy....

Anyway, all I need to do now is put the engine back in, and sort the manifold, before friday. Only got after 4pm tommorow to do it, as im in uni all day, so im pushing it lol!

Hopefully all will go well and il make it to JP exhausts on friday, and get the exhaust made. By then I will have the williams head built up with the new seals and valves, ready to go onto the block at the weekend

More soon....

 

[Skinny]

Re: Mk1 Hybrid Project

some hard work dude. Do you just teach your self as you go along/ring people for help?