When fate seems to conspire against you....

[Bren]

In Nov 2010 I bought Pete M 's SD1 from him, knowing it was going to take a fair amount welding before it would get an MOT.

 

As it was, it needed MUCH more than even I anticipated, it took a full 12 months to complete all the welding such was the poor condition of the car - it was full of bodges.

 

I remember removing the petrol tank, one of the outlets snapped off, I had to get hold of another one, as nobody seemed to want to repair it (I used to earn my living as a welder, but did'nt fancy end up looking like wile - e coyote).

 

Because the engine had lost it's oil pressure, I had to take the dizzy out to prime the pump. I also had to remove the engine oil cooler as all the pipework and rubber gaskets were well past their best - I did'nt fancy them failing when the engine was running.

 

I cannot get the motor to start, let alone run, despite setting the ignition timing to the book. I now have to remove the timing cover as it seems that the chain may have jumped when the engine backfired.

 

I was removing the top hose, guess what? The outlet from the rad came away with the hose - to say I am pissed off is an understatement.

 

I don't consider myself to be a quitter, most would have bailed out by now, however I am really considering wether or not to break it up for bits, as I doubt it will ever make it onto the road.

 

Opinions gents?

[Albert Ross]

Yeah. That'd be great.....

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

Take a little time off and make the decision with a clear head.

[Parky]

At least SD1 bits are generally available.

 

I would lock it up, go indoors, drink tea and eat sandwiches for a bit. Then get stuck in again tomorrow when you have had a bit of a break. Chin up!

[HillmanImp]

As it was, it needed MUCH more than even I anticipated, it took a full 12 months to complete all the welding such was the poor condition of the car - it was full of bodges.

 

Like every car anyone has tried restoring in the history of forever. Will just need to plug on with it or sell it on for naff all despite you having done all this work already......

[Timewaster]

Try one of these:

 

 

And some of this:

 

 

Eventually this will return:

 

 

[Des]

I'm no stranger to such despair, start prodding at a scab and 2 foot of pudding and Daily Mail drop onto the floor, looks bad but you force yourself to get stuck in, usually goes better than expected and afterwards the pain fades and you'll ask yourself why you were being such a tart about it.

Have a break on some of the easier bits, things like cleaning the interior where you see a result immediately, help restore mojo.

Is it the V8 engine? as I don't think the timing chain can jump, it's too short, is the dizzy 180 out possibly? And the rad busting now is a blessing, rather than waiting its chance to cook your engine later.

[trigger]

Out of curiosity was this the black 3.5 V8 he had or the bigger modified 4.5 (i think) V8 he had?.

[Pete-M]

It's the 3.5.

 

Sounds like you're having an utter 'mare with it, Bren. As the others have said, sit back, chill out, wait for your mojo to return with it and get it sorted. You've done the welding, that's the hard bit over with.

 

I used that car as my daily for a good few months, and the chap who I bought it from appeared to spend a fair few quid on it. I'm sure he'd fitted a new rad.. Having said that, I bought it from him with 10 months MOT... so anything is possible.

 

I've never known the timing chain jump on a 3.5 V8, but I have known them to be a bit awkward to start if all the oil has been drained from them. The cam followers need oil pressure to work in 'em. I rebuilt one a few years ago and it took bloody forever with the dizzy out and a screwdriver bit attached to a drill to prime the oil pump again, if memory serves me right I ended up taking half the oil pump off, packing it with vaseline, refitting and spinning the hell out of the pump to get pressure. Then in was a case of waiting for the lifters to shut up once the engine finally started.

[cort16]

Pete's right, you need to pack the oil pump with vaseline after a re-built or you won't get bugger all oil pressure. I've never done it myself like (mine's a 2600) but all the guys I'm in the SD1 club with have done it loads of times.

[ashmicro]

Pete's right, you need to pack the oil pump with vaseline after a re-built or you won't get bugger all oil pressure. I've never done it myself like (mine's a 2600) but all the guys I'm in the SD1 club with have done it loads of times.

 

Beat me to it. A mate told me about that wee trick.

[cort16]

I also seem to remember something about them shutting down the fuel pump if there's no oil pressure so you'll not get any juice if there's not any oil pressure.

[alf892]

what others have said. Pack the oil pump with vaseline. This is pretty easy to get to and you only have to remove the cover plate.

 

I wouldn't be removing that timing case either..........it is EXTREMELY unlikely to have jumped a tooth. BTW.....backfiring is a good thing as it shows there is life...........its just at the wrong time. Check the timing more thoroughly............

 

Make sure you have set this turning the engine the right way!! I have done this a few times. You need the points just opening on the timing marks if you turn the wrong way they will just have closed. If electronic its just the same you are just looking at the sensor. Also make you have set the firing order correctly as these are ex yank the cylinders are numbered their way.

[Bren]

Thank you for your input gents.

 

I had no problem restoring the oil pressure - made a tool out of 10mm diameter steel and put a notch in the end. Just put it in your drill and away you go.

 

However, restoring the ignition timing has taken a long time - due to not being started for 18 months it could be something else.

 

Today I have been a busy bee - I have removed the timing cover and established that the valve timing is in order - however as a matter of course I will replace the chainset due to the engines' mileage. I will also take the opportunity to clean off the layer of crud covering the front of the engine.

 

I did notice during previous efforts to get the car running that only two of the plugs were black - the rest were just wet with fuel.

I had previously checked that all plugs had a spark (they all had a bright blue one), so I am beginning to wonder if the injectors need an ultrasonic clean?

 

I think sometimes you do have to step back from what you are doing - cars are now so expensive to keep that sometimes you cannot justify spending on a daily driver, never mind the project in your garage.

[cort16]

If it's any consolation I went through the same with my SD1. Right in the middle of it all I got a weld spark down my sock, lost the plot and nearly took a sledgehammer to the whole thing. I locked the garage and didn't go back for a bit but after a week or so I started thinking about it again and eventually got back into working on it. It's still not ready mind.

[Pete-M]

Bren, if you need a hand with it, I'll be happy to pop up some time and go through it with ya.

[Station]

I always find tidying up and even turning the car round or repositioning it a good inspiration point to start working again.