dozeydustman Posted July 18, 2018 Share Posted July 18, 2018 She looks good Ian. (the fox is a girl, right). Fibreglass looks like it's in pretty good order, not too many scuffs etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilA Posted July 19, 2018 Share Posted July 19, 2018 She looks good Ian. (the fox is a girl, right).That would make it a Vixen, which by that makes it a TVR and all sporty. Wasn't the Vixen plastic, too? Phil Dick Longbridge 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiC Posted July 19, 2018 Share Posted July 19, 2018 Those foxes really aren't the prettiest of things. Poor thing looks depressed about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollywobbler Posted July 21, 2018 Author Share Posted July 21, 2018 Well, maybe it'll cheer up a bit now, for I've dragged its engine home with the 2CV. Very handy that I can just about pick up the engine on my own. Quite astonishing that despite extra pistons, it doesn't seem a whole lot heavier than the 2CV or Invacar engine. The good news is that the engine seems to turn very nicely actually - especially as the rocker gear is actually in the back of the Fox rather than on top of the engine. The bad news is that one valve is very obviously stuck down - so at least I've confirmed that valves and pistons don't meet. I guess I need to get the head off really. The head that doesn't want to come off... GrumpiusMaximus, Coprolalia, uk_senator and 8 others 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dozeydustman Posted July 21, 2018 Share Posted July 21, 2018 That would make it a Vixen, which by that makes it a TVR and all sporty. Wasn't the Vixen plastic, too? Phil I have a perhaps mysoginistic view that cars are female. Mind you I called my Horizon 'Rupert' and my first Scimitar 'Jimi', so I'm more than likely taking bollocks. The rest have had female names though.... The good news is that the engine seems to turn very nicely actually - especially as the rocker gear is actually in the back of the Fox rather than on top of the engine. The bad news is that one valve is very obviously stuck down - so at least I've confirmed that valves and pistons don't meet. I guess I need to get the head off really. The head that doesn't want to come off... Not sure on the spares availability of Reliant engines, I suspect very good as the three-wheelers have quite a following. I think maybe crack off the head bolts/studs, leave it to sit without tension, maybe a spray or two along the block/head join with some decent penetrating fluid and let it seep in over a couplafew weeks. Possibly a little heat for added boost. If the starter is still attached, maybe spin it over on the starter and let the compression from the other cylinders push it off. Old trick my grandad taught me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hooli Posted July 21, 2018 Share Posted July 21, 2018 I have a perhaps mysoginistic view that cars are female. Nothing that comsumes so much time & money while still disappointing you at the most important time could be male. /1950s dozeydustman, DeeJay, DVee8 and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayMK Posted July 21, 2018 Share Posted July 21, 2018 ..............Not sure on the spares availability of Reliant engines, I suspect very good as the three-wheelers have quite a following. I think maybe crack off the head bolts/studs, leave it to sit without tension, maybe a spray or two along the block/head join with some decent penetrating fluid and let it seep in over a couplafew weeks. Possibly a little heat for added boost. If the starter is still attached, maybe spin it over on the starter and let the compression from the other cylinders push it off. Old trick my grandad taught me! As mentioned by other posters, it's more than likely that the studs have corroded and cemented themselves to the head, thereby providing an extremely strong but unwelcome hold-down of the head regardless of whether you remove the head nuts. Many Reliant owners fabricate a sturdy head extraction bracket so that it can be evenly pulled whilst also having penetrating/releasing fluid applied. Plasticvandan may have more details if he has not given them already. Turning the engine to nudge the head off by compression risks also moving the wet liners if the head actually moves. Until the condition of the bores is known, moving the liners should be avoided. Uncle Jimmy and oldcars 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plasticvandan Posted July 21, 2018 Share Posted July 21, 2018 New parts availability is getting scant and very expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddie Honda Posted July 21, 2018 Share Posted July 21, 2018 Turning the engine to nudge the head off by compression will be a waste of time as it won't budge!FTFY RayMK 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bub2006 Posted July 21, 2018 Share Posted July 21, 2018 There's a three wheeler bloke called Darren over this way. Plentiful parts but asks a fair bit,also a chap called Bob in Ilkeston who owned a reliant dealer and has a stock room of NOS parts. Also an old school motor factor in Kirkby has been good with parts for my trike if you need anything I will ask Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dozeydustman Posted July 21, 2018 Share Posted July 21, 2018 As mentioned by other posters, it's more than likely that the studs have corroded and cemented themselves to the head, thereby providing an extremely strong but unwelcome hold-down of the head regardless of whether you remove the head nuts. Many Reliant owners fabricate a sturdy head extraction bracket so that it can be evenly pulled whilst also having penetrating/releasing fluid applied. Plasticvandan may have more details if he has not given them already. Turning the engine to nudge the head off by compression risks also moving the wet liners if the head actually moves. Until the condition of the bores is known, moving the liners should be avoided. Was unaware the Reliant engine was a wet-lined unit as unfamiliar with it. I stand corrected and yep I agree that pressuring the head off with the pistons isn't good for this engine. Not read every single reply cos my bad/my lazy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hairnet Posted July 21, 2018 Share Posted July 21, 2018 needs vtec (yo) can i ask would it be possible to purchase a tshirt with just the hubnut logo on it please fank oo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollywobbler Posted July 21, 2018 Author Share Posted July 21, 2018 needs vtec (yo) can i ask would it be possible to purchase a tshirt with just the hubnut logo on it please fank oo I was rekindling thoughts of chucking Suzuki Cappuccino running gear under it, but then I remembered that I'm hopeless. I may send the engine away to be sorted out, or at least borrow a head removal tool from the club. Not sure yet. T shirts - I do plan some HubNut logo only shirts. They'll have I HATE THE INVACAR. IT SCARES ME. on the back. hairnet and Supernaut 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hairnet Posted July 21, 2018 Share Posted July 21, 2018 i dont hate it it just gives me the willies while in motion (fnarr) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollywobbler Posted July 21, 2018 Author Share Posted July 21, 2018 Do you know you're a star of my latest video? Reverse tractor action. The Moog 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProgRocker Posted July 29, 2018 Share Posted July 29, 2018 Ooh look what I found: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/reliant-fox-1985/253765843572?hash=item3b159f7a74:g:c7UAAOSwvEBbUilA egg, CGSB and oldcars 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollywobbler Posted July 29, 2018 Author Share Posted July 29, 2018 Oooh, that one has the pick-up cab section so you can take the rear body off. egg 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momentary Lapse Of Reason Posted July 29, 2018 Share Posted July 29, 2018 See you & raise you. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Reliant-Fox-custom-van-1983/273375958749?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D51875%26meid%3De73712ac226542d6857f2c6565e2435f%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D253765843572%26itm%3D273375958749&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851 egg 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollywobbler Posted July 29, 2018 Author Share Posted July 29, 2018 Starting to think mine was a bargain, but we'll see how the engine work pans out before I get over-confident... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollywobbler Posted July 31, 2018 Author Share Posted July 31, 2018 The engine has been collected by the person aiming to rebuild it, but some interesting discoveries have been made. Firstly, it appears to be a 750cc engine... The front engine plate is cracked and bent. Four studs have had the tops chopped off. Gawd knows why! Presumably, someone thought it might help free off the head. They had a pretty good go! This is the end of the cylinder head. VIOLENCE. With the right tool, anything is possible though. Head is quite curvy apparently. I guess I'll be looking for an engine then. Or, the possibility of an electric conversion is still floating around in my head... uk_senator, wrenchvolt, GrumpiusMaximus and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrenchvolt Posted July 31, 2018 Share Posted July 31, 2018 Or, the possibility of an electric conversion is still floating around in my head... Sounds like very interesting option. GrumpiusMaximus 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loserone Posted July 31, 2018 Share Posted July 31, 2018 Dooooooiiiiitttt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momentary Lapse Of Reason Posted July 31, 2018 Share Posted July 31, 2018 Easy fix - get it built and back in! Or go for the backwardly compatible option - a Rebel enginehttps://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Reliant-engine-Box/223076841223?hash=item33f06a7707:g:WTgAAOSwLpxbWf-B Or further back into the future - a Regal 600cc enginehttps://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/600cc-Reliant-Regal-OHV-Engine-Rebuilt/263847976084?hash=item3d6e909c94:g:hWAAAOSw0URbWkVA Or just go dafthttps://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-3-LITRE-V6-ENGINE-FROM-A-RELIANT-SCIMITER/192605336836?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D51875%26meid%3D1eb3d3f448154ba8b9c38a17f8915ab2%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D9%26sd%3D253588281840%26itm%3D192605336836&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851 wrenchvolt 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrbenn Posted July 31, 2018 Share Posted July 31, 2018 If only there was a free course on electric cars you could take.... The Moog and wrenchvolt 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrenchvolt Posted July 31, 2018 Share Posted July 31, 2018 With the studs is it possible to tap/die a new thread and wind a couple of plain nuts on and wind them against each other, then wind studs off? Could the head be aluminium welded and machined off? or as momentary lapse of reason said, build it and see how it goes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momentary Lapse Of Reason Posted July 31, 2018 Share Posted July 31, 2018 The stud are a nothing to get out - shift them with some heat and a stud remover in no time.Hard to tell from the photos but it does look like a skim to level the head to flat should do there.Is there a photo of the matching block face? Depends how much damage the animal did whether the engine is worth rebuilding- as it is not the original engine there is not really much history being lost if it is replaced. Do a like for like now - find out if you want to keep the Kitten or move it on, you can do an electric conversion later if that is your heart desire! wrenchvolt 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dozeydustman Posted July 31, 2018 Share Posted July 31, 2018 Or just go dafthttps://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-3-LITRE-V6-ENGINE-FROM-A-RELIANT-SCIMITER/192605336836?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D51875%26meid%3D1eb3d3f448154ba8b9c38a17f8915ab2%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D9%26sd%3D253588281840%26itm%3D192605336836&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851 That's round the corner from me, I could collect it and start a shitely..... I have just found this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Reliant-cylinder-head-robin-mk1-750cc-bond-bug-750cc-old-stock-with-valve-guides/153093991660?hash=item23a51cecec%3Ag%3Awq0AAOSwB-1Y61Qb&_nkw=reliant+engine&_from=R40&rt=nc wrenchvolt 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollywobbler Posted July 31, 2018 Author Share Posted July 31, 2018 If only there was a free course on electric cars you could take.... Eh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpiusMaximus Posted July 31, 2018 Share Posted July 31, 2018 Eh? http://autoshite.com/topic/32585-free-electic-caruniversity-course-delft-uni-mooc-not-moog/ mrbenn 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollywobbler Posted July 31, 2018 Author Share Posted July 31, 2018 http://autoshite.com/topic/32585-free-electic-caruniversity-course-delft-uni-mooc-not-moog/ Ah! Sadly, me and education don't get on very well. Especially where mathematics are involved (and if I've learnt anything about electric cars, it's that numbers are important!). However, should the newly educated wish to get involved with the project, they are welcome to get in touch. GrumpiusMaximus and mrbenn 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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