LightBulbFun Posted September 27, 2019 Share Posted September 27, 2019 18 minutes ago, mat_the_cat said: Don't give me ideas! what do you think I have been trying to do! 18 minutes ago, mat_the_cat said: The velocity of the beast! 18 minutes ago, mat_the_cat said: or a massive 161 mph! Which I doubt I'd have the power (or the balls!) to reach. reminds me of the Transit van XJ220 development mule (on a more serious note it will be interesting to see how drastic the change is in real life compared to how it sounds on paper) stonedagain and mat_the_cat 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tadhg Tiogar Posted September 27, 2019 Share Posted September 27, 2019 I'd be interested to find out what improvement in fuel consumption this produces. LightBulbFun 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat_the_cat Posted October 8, 2019 Author Share Posted October 8, 2019 I will post up figures; I have recorded over the last 16k miles so a decent comparison. But I am being side-tracked by another, far less important job on the car! I rhink I've mentioned the fact I'd quite like it if it wasn't immediately obvious that the engine came from a Rover, and although some people don't twig, the word R O V E R on the rocker covers is a bit of a giveaway... So I was after something devoid of bling, something that would look like it could be a standard engine. And, thanks to @MorrisItalSLX these arrived today all the way from Australia! The only question remaining is what colour to paint them? I was initially wondering about a black crackle finish, but then I thought that a repaint in the current blue might look quite nice, matching the filter and distributor cap. But probably wouldn't look OEM. Maybe silver? LightBulbFun, MorrisItalSLX, GrumpiusMaximus and 4 others 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidel_Kakao Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 I guess those valve covers are off a P76 if from down under? I would do them in black crackle if it were mine but I dislike silver in most cases. mat_the_cat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat_the_cat Posted October 8, 2019 Author Share Posted October 8, 2019 Yes, P76 they are. Whatever I decide, at least it's not final so if it looks rubbish I can change my mind! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danthecapriman Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 Nice rocker covers! Blue is always a good colour imho, but it might make it look a bit ‘Ford’ like? They always used blue in the good old days. How about red or orange? Should make them stand out too instead of blending in! You want to pop the hood and everyone know you have a big V8! Or if understated is your thing satin black. My wildcard suggestion... gold! Even I can’t decide! mat_the_cat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat_the_cat Posted October 9, 2019 Author Share Posted October 9, 2019 Understated is what I'm after! So satin black may be a good shout. (Especially if my mate can fit them in his powder coating oven, as that's the only colour he does!) But crinkle finish black might be a bit more special without looking obvious - plus cover any imperfections after removing the rust! danthecapriman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackboilersuit Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 Cut the Hyundai badge from a rocker cover like this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HYUNDAI-SANTA-2004-2-0-PETROL-ENGINE-COVER-29240-27101/122769820452?hash=item1c95a6cb24:g:p5EAAOSwc0FUqpBE and epoxy onto one of your new covers before spraying them satin black. That would give a real OEM look! LightBulbFun and mat_the_cat 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asimo Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 Black seems to be the colour used by Hyundai on their pressed steel valve gear covers back in Pony / Stellar days. (google images etc) mat_the_cat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat_the_cat Posted October 9, 2019 Author Share Posted October 9, 2019 2 hours ago, blackboilersuit said: Cut the Hyundai badge from a rocker cover like this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HYUNDAI-SANTA-2004-2-0-PETROL-ENGINE-COVER-29240-27101/122769820452?hash=item1c95a6cb24:g:p5EAAOSwc0FUqpBE and epoxy onto one of your new covers before spraying them satin black. That would give a real OEM look! To be a complete pedant, they didn't use that logo until 1992; the earlier one looks like the left hand side of this: But yes, the idea of glueing on a badge had crossed my mind! loserone, LightBulbFun, blackboilersuit and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat_the_cat Posted October 22, 2019 Author Share Posted October 22, 2019 It almost seems a shame to remove this label from my new rocker covers: "Hot run tested and electronically tuned" it proudly states. But in true Leyland style, the label wasn't even applied straight! danthecapriman, Banger Kenny, MorrisItalSLX and 6 others 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LightBulbFun Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 Just photoshop up some new ones but replace the plug hole with a Hyundai logo side note every time I see this thread pop up I get really excited, then realise oh right Air Conditioning LOL (which is still exciting in its own right don't get me wrong!) mat_the_cat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorrisItalSLX Posted October 23, 2019 Share Posted October 23, 2019 Let’s not forget that the bloke who put that sticker on was probably very well hydrated if you know what I mean. I think that sticker would make a good T-shirt. As for what colour to paint them, I would go with a hammered finish, for variety, in a gunmetal grey or minty green. LightBulbFun, Heidel_Kakao, mat_the_cat and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat_the_cat Posted October 25, 2019 Author Share Posted October 25, 2019 Too late! The decision has been made (at least for now...) First I took them in to work, and popped them in the sand blaster. Then gave them to a mate who does his own powder coating (but only in satin black at the moment). He sent me a few photos: And the finished job, which he says will dull down a bit once cool. I figure that if they don't look right once they're on, I can always overpaint, and it'll have a good base. UltraWomble, rainagain, Heidel_Kakao and 6 others 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat_the_cat Posted November 1, 2019 Author Share Posted November 1, 2019 This week I did something I hadn't planned to do, and that is take the car out after they've started gritting the roads Fortunately it hasn't rusted away yet, but I felt like I was being mean to it! In some ways it does make a good winter car, as no problems keeping warm behind the wheel, and the all-season tyres still grip well on the greasy tarmac. But soon I'll be laying it up until the spring. I picked up my rocker covers this week too, but there were a few things I had to do before I could fit them. First of all I had to grind off the welded on breather pipe on the inside of one of them as it fouled on the rocker shaft. Then on to the holes left by the HT lead clips - the originals were broken anyway. My plan was to fit an M6 rivnut (easy) then drill and tap an M6 screw down the centre, so I could screw some new HT lead clamps with an M4 screw. That was not quite so easy, especially with stainless steel! Only 0.4mm each side between the 4mm major diameter of the M4 screw and the 4.8mm minor diameter of the M6 screw I'm screwing into the centre of. My (cheap) carbon steel tap snapped with very little force, so I treated myself to a nice set of 3 HSS taps. New quality tools are always nice So that done it was time to actually fit the rocker covers. Don't believe everything you read on the internet that they are an identical fit! Aside from the breather pipe, the gasket face is smaller so Rover V8 gaskets don't fit properly. The cork gaskets don't allow enough rocker clearance, and the rubber ones stick out too much. But anyway, I got them on and think they look smart! danthecapriman, BlankFrank, JeeExEll and 10 others 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrbenn Posted November 1, 2019 Share Posted November 1, 2019 2 hours ago, mat_the_cat said: This week I did something I hadn't planned to do, and that is take the car out after they've started gritting the roads ? Rocker covers look good, though. mat_the_cat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorrisItalSLX Posted November 2, 2019 Share Posted November 2, 2019 Those rocker covers have come a long way in a month (figuratively and literally) and look excellent. I particularly like the rivnut solution as the original HT lead clips are made of unobtainium. mat_the_cat and LightBulbFun 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat_the_cat Posted November 2, 2019 Author Share Posted November 2, 2019 Arguably a better way of doing it would have been to weld up the hole with a washer before powder coating, to suit an M4 rivnut. But I only thought about it afterwards, and the existing hole was the right size for M6. That said, the bolt heads make a handy take-off for the HT lead clamps to hold them away from the surface. MorrisItalSLX 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat_the_cat Posted November 8, 2019 Author Share Posted November 8, 2019 The first snow is forecast tomorrow, so this may be the last drive for a while. Although the good news about this is that I'll have chance to work on the air con installation and the axle work. It was a lovely day today however, so chance for a photo in the sunshine! The thing I really like about this picture is that it still looks like a sleeper, even with the bonnet open! Lacquer Peel, MorrisItalSLX, Zelandeth and 9 others 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LightBulbFun Posted November 8, 2019 Share Posted November 8, 2019 note to self: make sure this is the first V8 I drive so when someone in the future asks me what was the first V8 you drove or something such I can say "Hyundai Stellar" mat_the_cat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat_the_cat Posted November 10, 2019 Author Share Posted November 10, 2019 A definite garage day today, with snow falling and temperatures hovering around freezing. So perfect for chipping away at the AC installation then! The compressor is the next item I want to install, and I confess I took the easy option of buying some universal mounting brackets which will enable me to swivel the unit, to tension the belt. Cutting these out myself would take longer than I'd like to imagine! With the lack of space in the engine bay though, the brackets needed cutting down considerably to fit. Yes, that is very thin but once I've welded this onto another plate at right angles, rigidity will be restored. This will be my compressor rear mount. The front compressor mount I want to bolt up to the timing cover, but to get the belt alignment correct I need to set it back by 6mm. Handily, I'm using 6mm plate, so I just need to fasten one plate to the front of the timing cover, and overlap that with the slotted plate the compressor mounts to. I made this up using an old timing cover as a pattern: Cutting this out with an angle grinder took a while! But once bolted up I could then overlap with the cut down slotted plate, and temporarily clamp in place with a small G clamp while I checked alignment: Belt line looks good: But the question is, have I got enough movement of the compressor to tension the belt, without it fouling? I'll call that a success :-) Next job will be to either weld or bolt that together, and move onto the rear bracket. I'd like to weld it, but I'm not sure that if I do so, I'll be able to actually remove the compressor. I might have to end up making the bracket dismantlable in order to give me wriggle room. Lacquer Peel, Banger Kenny, Scruffy Bodger and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat_the_cat Posted November 17, 2019 Author Share Posted November 17, 2019 Ok, this picture might not look too different to the ones above, but getting to this stage took a good while! The problem was, while the compressor was free to move, I hadn't realised it was actually resting on the front anti roll bar! So I zip tied a wooden spacer onto the ARB, and then tried to re-mount the compressor. Bugger. It fouled the engine But not a particularly important part of the engine, so with a good deal of flap disc action later, I had clearance. I then cut down an old V belt to the right length, so I can now match that up to the next longest length available (hoping that isn't too long for me to be able to tension it!) LightBulbFun, Lacquer Peel, RayMK and 5 others 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat_the_cat Posted November 18, 2019 Author Share Posted November 18, 2019 I've now involved the compressor and mounting plates, and mocked up the spacing of the compressor lugs with a couple of bolts. I could then reinstall the mounts to see where in free space the rear mount was sitting. There are two bosses on the block that I plan to utilise, by welding a plate at right angles to the rear mount. Access is a little tricky, but all I need to do is drill the plate, bolt to the block and tack it to the mount. The proper welding can be done on the bench, assuming it doesn't distort too much on cooling... Note how much of my block is sitting on top of the sump guard in dust form! danthecapriman, Ian_Fearn, Banger Kenny and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat_the_cat Posted November 22, 2019 Author Share Posted November 22, 2019 I made up a plate with holes to match the bosses on the block... ...so once that was bolted on I tacked it to the rear mount. Then I could unbolt both, weld up properly, and paint. My welding was a bit splattery and I don't know why, but got good penetration so the joins are strong at least. Happily there was no noticeable distortion, so the two mounts were still in the right place to fix the compressor between. A 925mm belt was the right length to drive it, so this was the end result. I'm actually really pleased with this; it's turned out to fit nicely, and I'm *just* able to get the full range of adjustment without fouling anything. Time to see it in action! I've noticed since the rocker cover swap that the idle speed is lower - I think that is down to the fact that quite a bit of air was previously passing through the breather system into the carb, and hence bypassing the throttle flap. I'd adjusted the throttle stop as far as I could so it was fully closed, and it was just running on the breather system. Now I think the flow is less, the idle speed seems too low so will adjust the throttle stop slightly. Tickman, rainagain, Lacquer Peel and 5 others 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrbenn Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 Fantastic work! The brackets look ace. O/T is that Welsh gold on your wedding ring? mat_the_cat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat_the_cat Posted November 22, 2019 Author Share Posted November 22, 2019 Yes, a Clogau ring. Seeing as we live in Wales! It's taken a bit of a battering (quite literally!) but is still mostly round. mrbenn 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat_the_cat Posted November 30, 2019 Author Share Posted November 30, 2019 Winter is now well and truly here, so time to take this off the road. But first an opportunity for an arty frost shot this morning! It normally lives in the garage, but got back late last night so thought I'd leave it outside so I could wash it today. I was also interested to see how well it would start in the cold... Pretty well as it happened. Although user error on my behalf for pushing the choke in too much! I then parked it on a slope after a wash, to let the water drain away. Check out that axle articulation! I can now set about removing the dash, and also fitting the AC condenser in front of the radiator. LightBulbFun, Skizzer, danthecapriman and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat_the_cat Posted December 14, 2019 Author Share Posted December 14, 2019 On that subject, my bargain condenser was causing me a problem! The pipe connections were quite unusual, known as pad or peanut mounts. Problem was I could find no UK or US suppliers selling crimp-on hose fittings to suit this. Either I'm being inept, or these are generally only available to OEM suppliers? I thought I'd struck lucky with these: https://www.t7design.co.uk/pad-to-o-ring-adapter-pair.html but they are for #8 and #10 O ring fittings, and I need one for a #6 hose. Eventually though, the power of the internet came through and I found some adapters, again in the US. Arrived within 2 days which was impressive! Obviously they weren't designed for a Rover 45 condenser, so I had to modify them slightly by slotting out the holes slightly. Next problem was that torquing them down meant that the connector was skewed over to one side. So I had to rummage through my collection of washers to find something of suitable thickness, to use as a spacer to keep everything aligned. It might not look much, but that's a big step in my mind as it means the pipework will now all be standard fittings. I'm planning to make all the hoses myself, so all I'll need to buy will be a collection of fittings and I can cut everything to length in situ. Less chance of messing something up, and given what seems to be charged for made to measure hoses, cheaper too even with the price of a crimping kit! Skizzer, RayMK, somewhatfoolish and 5 others 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danthecapriman Posted December 15, 2019 Share Posted December 15, 2019 Great job so far, some proper engineering going on here! You've made me think about adding A/C to my Volvo now... mat_the_cat and mrbenn 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat_the_cat Posted December 28, 2019 Author Share Posted December 28, 2019 A crimping kit was hinted at before Christmas, as who doesn't like new tools?! I wasn't after a branded tool, just a cheap as it'll hardly see heavy use. So Christmas day saw me unwrapping this Happily it comes with both standard dies, and ones for reduced barrier hoses which are significantly smaller in diameter, so should be easier to route. I've made a start on making space for the condenser, which might end up being tighter than I thought! I've started trimming away some of the metalwork behind the front bumper, so there may just be enough space for it now but to actually fit it I'll need to remove the radiator. As it stands, to do that I need to remove the water pump, and to do that I need to remove the radiator fan! So I'm half wondering about making the slam panel removable. That would enable me to slide both in and out more easily. While I ponder that decision I moved I to another job. I've had a very slow loss of brake fluid, which I could never trace! All I could put it down to was possibly being drawn into the inlet manifold through the servo, although there was no smoke to point towards that. Yet the brake pedal was still firm, suggesting no problems with the high pressure side of things either. Then I happened to see that my hose which fed the clutch master cylinder under the dash was leaking! Those of you more knowledgeable than I will probably be ahead of me, looking at the last photo... It turns out fuel hose isn't suitable for carrying brake fluid So it was actually sweating the fluid through the rubber! This has all been replaced with the proper stuff (EPDM) and bled through. danthecapriman, mrbenn, Banger Kenny and 5 others 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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