Project 1990 country squire resto/modification by andyfanshawe

3 minute(s) of a 418 minute read

Today was cleanup and part stripdown. This engine is covered in oil!

On the stand:

After about 3 hours degreasing the exterior

When I tipped the engine upside down, the debris that came out of the cooling system via the holes in the top of the block by the cylinders was incredible. Loads of compressed air and a serious mess though!

Time to remove the timing cover and water pump. I have a 2/3 legged puller that hooks around the outside of the harmonic damper but that is not wise, so I ground the arms down with my air grinder and went in through the slots with the arms turned the other way round

Worked a treat!

This is a first view of the timing chain. Oily but hardly any play. Notice the block is thoroughly degreased. 

Now the good news! This engine has been apart before. The wear in the cylinders is minimal. Timing chain is very good. Oil tight crank seal. Hmmmm. Sump off tomorrow and we'll check out in there. But this engine may need just fresh gaskets, cleaned oil pump screen, new oil etc. It sounded good before, burned no oil and was firing on all 8. Apart from spraying everything with coolant and oil that is!

More photos tomorrow of the bottom end.

Next few weeks then:

1) Finish engine off and cylinder head recondition and paint and assemble on the stand.

2) Design bodyshell brace and stand and drop frame out from underneath.

3) Media blast or use surface processing (Paint, Rust and Underseal Removal for Cars and Industry by Surface Processing Limited) to clean it up.

4) Weld up any areas requiring attention on the frame and the body when access is good. Needs new inner/outer rockers at least.

5) Replace all suspension bushes and pipes on the frame-including the hard to get to rear shock upper mounts.

6) Renew all body to frame bushes and hardware and replace frame.

7) Refit body and trans and suspension and fire up.

8) replace heater core and weld up passenger A pillar where stress carck is near upper hinge (can do that while dash is out)

9) Get car back up and running and weld all door handles and locks up.

10) Design, build and air suspension

11) Paint (2 tone-colours not finalised yet-Chip Foose where are you?)

12) 20" wheels fitted to now lowered shell.

All to be done by next May!

Phew! Thats my winter sorted out!

Thanks rtg.

Forgot to post photos of the sexy red starter and silver cover! Front bit os starter will be painted silver tomorrow.