Cluffy Posted February 15, 2022 Share Posted February 15, 2022 (edited) Some have indicated a write up of the VR6 head rebuild would be of interest. This began as a mission to as reasonably as possible fix the blue smoke on overrun (sign of valve stem oil seal wear that these all suffer from) so replacing the stem seals and cleaning up valves, re-lapping them and building back up. What ended up happening is a £1200+ "while you're there" activity to keep me, sometimes @grogeeand my wallet busy over the winter period! Part 1 So here's the car before it all began. Fresh from a "Big Clean" by my own hand. I am not one for the patience or expense of "detailing" but I do get satisfaction when time allows of properly washing and then polishing / cutting back the car to be as good as it can be (and still be useable!) First thing was to get as much access as possible. I had never removed the slam panel before but as I'm fortunate to have other daily wheels, no rush in this job and a learning opportunity for this whole job. Lights off, Grille off, Front bumper off, coolant drained, radiator off and said slam panel removed: Hmmm, rather grotty lower panel there... First extra job, but I've seen worse. Cleaned up, painted with some black metal paint I had lying around. Job jobbed, minimal spend. Winner. Then to start taking more bits off... Inlet manifold is easy. Next, Cam cover. Turny bits looking OK. Next for the exhaust side. I decided to leave the manifold on as I read removal is easier with the head off. Well I went through every sodding tool in the garage it felt but finally got all of the bolts off for the manifold to down pipe clamps... Now for the Upper timing cover - and this is where I was preying the chains would be OK / guides have been done before my ownership..: Oh shite, cracked guides / missing guide material... Well well well. Full chain set needed. Meaning lower cover needs to come off (and with that do the cover seal). Meaning Gearbox needs to come off... Meaning I should do the Clutch.... I took to the swear jar, sent expletives down WhatsApp at anyone who would listen and had a beer or three. I then spoke kindly to my wallet before pillaging its depths (very tough for a Northerner) So we continue on. Now for the head bolts. No pic but I destroyed some of my own and @grogee's tools at this point before realising the purchase of some proper 1/2 inch torx sockets would shift the naughty bolts that didn't want to yield to the persuader... Heavy bugger but on the bench. First use of a valve spring tool. Manly. Got all 12 valves out. Lovely and clean... no, no they weren't: Old vs new valve stem oil seals. Old ones rock solid and squashed: So now how far to go with the head... On to part 2... Edited November 5, 2022 by Cluffy Garythesnail, tooSavvy, djim and 16 others 19 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cluffy Posted February 15, 2022 Author Share Posted February 15, 2022 Part 2 I got a quote from a local guy to clean the head but as with all these things, he offered his services to not only do that, but clean the valves, swap out the valve stems as he showed me some that were clearly worn and he'd build it all back up and pressure test etc... Wham. There's £300 gone. But worth it I think... Shine shine shine! Now for the gearbox to come off and what a fun job that was. Pulled in the big guns with @grogee helping on Sunday morning fuelled by tea and cake. Driveshafts off, bolts undone, starter off and it was loose. Next was how to get the bugger to come out. Eventually we put a load of cushioning underneath and just let the bastard fall out of the car! Obligatory picture of me where it once resided (the beard is much improved at this moment): Now for me to spend a long time with various grade of sandpaper and scotch brite... Not bad from where it started. Bores were clean so good to go - here we are just before fitting the MLS head gasket with a little sealing compound on (I cleaned it up considerably before putting together!): More new parts - MLS head gasket. Apparently it's betterer... Then head back on and time it up with the new chain kit. A few missteps with tensioners upside down etc but got there. No pics of this stage but checked for rotation on completion and all good with no binding. Hoo and indeed, Ray! While doing the work Lord @grogee noticed a little play in the Waterpump pulley (cheers mate), so another task for the list. Luckily a new one was £40ish... I fitted a new seal to the lower timing cover and then fucked up putting it back on as it's one of those that needs aligning in about 9 geometric planes.. Ended up removing the seal, fitting the cover and using the persuader to fit the new seal in situ.... Then for the CLutch, but Flywheel first and these bolts are BASTARD tight (for good reason). As I had no tool to hold the flywheel, I got a mate to hold the crank while I muscled them with the breaker bar. Strong gin after..: Clutch replaced and then the Gearbox which I did by lifting it with two jacks, manipulating it close and then lying over the engine to pull it into place! I should say at this point that I had supported the engine from underneath and wasn't just letting it flap about on its sole remaining mount..! I then thought I'd have a surprisingly good run at things. Driveshafts back in, exhaust linked up, inlet manifold on... Ah shit, alternator in the way as I'd taken he lower part off when the head was on the bench. That needed another persuader to remove: Once I'd done that I did the water pump. A little tricky as I needed to get the engine really high but got there in the end...: I then decided I wanted to replace the sump gasket as it was leaking and the sump itself needed some paint as lots of surface corrosion. Horrid job and one that really needs more patience than I have but I got there: Now that's done it's on to the last leg... Putting bits back reasonably close to where they came from...! Dick Longbridge, Coprolalia, Asimo and 22 others 25 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Longbridge Posted February 15, 2022 Share Posted February 15, 2022 Great to read more about this one. I don't think I've ever seen inside a VR lump before - interesting to see how it's laid out. I do wonder how many VR6s have had the chains and guides done by now? Their age is against them but I guess if they're relatively quiet it's easy to assume someone else has done the expensive work! The front end looks surprisingly solid despite the surface rust too. It looks to be a decent example! Cluffy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuboy Posted February 15, 2022 Share Posted February 15, 2022 great workmanship, whats the bhp of these? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cluffy Posted February 15, 2022 Author Share Posted February 15, 2022 Part 3 (final for now...!) Home stretch pretty much... Before going too far I wanted to test if the bugger would run. So threw the battery on, Coil pack, HT Leads, Cam sensor and plumbed in the air side. And Yes, after turning a bit it fired up! Only ran for 10-15 seconds or so as no cooling system... Nice and tappety...! Hopefully with some high RPMs / load that should slowly quieten down.... Then back to the putting back together... hook the gear linkage back in place and then clutch bleeding. I had no pedal at all. But after both pedal pumping and @grogee's bleeder working together it's now working. It's not perfect but will do for the installation runs in March... Manifold cover dropped on: I then set to work on tidying some of the wiring, new cable ties in places. Much better. But there's always on random wire that goes to nowhere...: Inlet manifold back home: What's this? A broken sensor? Oooh lovely, a spare on the "Corrado bits" shelf: Well, it didn't work. So a new one off eBay with some Nectar voucher help meant replacing for just £3. Marvellous. After a fight with the Aux belt (me being cack handed with the crank pullet arrangement) I was ready for setting up the coolant side of things. Spring clips are a bastard but they do a fapping good job. After finally getting the stat housing with new thermostat and seals in (and one new sensor), then all of the hoses and the rad and wiring, I found I had a pretty big leak. Turns out one of the fittings had trapped a seal holding the joint open. More swearing at having to take the whole lot apart to find that... But fortunately I had a spare seal to fit and also that I managed to save a fair amount of the new coolant that spilled out! No pics, I was running about with hair on fire mostly at this point...! After testing the stat housing at the failure point, it held water with new stuff in place so, on putting together the second time, no leaking. I watched like a hawk for along time after that..! Then a couple of longer runs getting up to temperature. New oil temp sensor giving a reading. Great Success: OK, so time to put back on the ground. First up, face back on. Slam panel went on OK (no idea why pic is upside down): But SHIT! Bonnet wont open! I did fear this weeks back that I'd get so close and this would happen. Anyway, I found some patience from somewhere and got it open having good access still. Some trial and error adjusting each side got it sorted to my great relief. Then bumper on as the bolts go some way to supporting the engine in the car.... Was able to then throw the front wheels on and drop down: Then on to the pretty bits - final engine bay trims: All done!!* *Minor Snag list: 1) Slightly lumpy idle when warm but sorts itself out.... 2) Clutch needs another bleed And that's it! My "To Do" list on the car is still there but much smaller now..! Thank you for all the help along the way @grogee. Absolute Legend. I definitely made my fair share of errors along the way, probably more than half were just trying to do things in the wrong way or order... But I'm chuffed (so long as it keeps working!) as that's the first time I've done a complete top end on a car..! Garythesnail, Tenmil Socket, CreepingJesus and 25 others 28 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cluffy Posted February 15, 2022 Author Share Posted February 15, 2022 22 minutes ago, Dick Longbridge said: Great to read more about this one. I don't think I've ever seen inside a VR lump before - interesting to see how it's laid out. I do wonder how many VR6s have had the chains and guides done by now? Their age is against them but I guess if they're relatively quiet it's easy to assume someone else has done the expensive work! The front end looks surprisingly solid despite the surface rust too. It looks to be a decent example! Yeah it's a solid car. Tatty paint but virtually no rust on the thing. I have treated as much as I can in the last few years without taking the whole lot apart. 93k on it and it's all present and correct. Lovely thing. Should've got one years before I eventually did! Dick Longbridge 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cluffy Posted February 15, 2022 Author Share Posted February 15, 2022 15 minutes ago, stuboy said: great workmanship, whats the bhp of these? Might be a stretch with the "great"! I think 190? But now I have an MLS head gasket so clearly it now has about 300.... 🤣 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuboy Posted February 15, 2022 Share Posted February 15, 2022 38 minutes ago, Cluffy said: Might be a stretch with the "great"! I think 190? But now I have an MLS head gasket so clearly it now has about 300.... 🤣 defienetly 350 bhp 🤠 Cluffy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dome Posted February 15, 2022 Share Posted February 15, 2022 Excellent work! Was removing the engine and gearbox together not an option? It might've been easier to do all that with the whole lump on the floor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cluffy Posted February 16, 2022 Author Share Posted February 16, 2022 7 hours ago, dome said: Excellent work! Was removing the engine and gearbox together not an option? It might've been easier to do all that with the whole lump on the floor. I agree, but even though I have decent sized garage, I still don't think I'd have had the space. Plus I don't have an engine hoist either. But if I'd had a hoist and stand you're right after the initial lift out, pretty much all of the jobs I did would've been easier, especially GB off and the sump..! But I'm sure that may well have lead to even further mission creep..! dome 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJK 24 Posted February 16, 2022 Share Posted February 16, 2022 On 2/15/2022 at 9:47 PM, stuboy said: great workmanship, whats the bhp of these? 2.8 = 174bhp 2.9 = 193bhp Dick Longbridge and AnnoyingPentium 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cluffy Posted September 6, 2022 Author Share Posted September 6, 2022 A while since I've touched this thread... I've been chewing @grogee's ear off on this for a fair few days. I used the car lightly after all the work but it wasn't running right. Life took over a bit and a busy summer has seen me only really getting round to trying to sort recently... I did a compression test and I only have 125psi all round... This is low - from memory, before all the work I had good compression at 170-180 all round... I then did one of those CO2 tests with the blue fluid and sure enough, within a minute or two it turned green/yellow. I've since repeated with same results. ARSE. The Cylinder Head was pressure tested when the refurb was done. I've been on to the guy and he has said he always does it and even remembers doing it on this as it was the first VR6 head he had done. My only reservation looking back is on the picture attached below. The opening for one of the waterways on the left has a mark where there is damage and I wonder if this is the issue as that's right next to the opening...? Or between me getting it back home and fitting it's cracked somewhere/how....? OR, I am wondering if the face of the block wasn't flat enough. There was a lot of pitting on the surface which I cleaned and wet sanded as best as I could in situ... I then tested with my straight edge and feelers with no issue... Maybe I didn't test enough spots? Maybe the pitting is sufficient to be the source of the issue...? And I have looked a number of times at the headgasket pictures and it is definitely right for a VR6... So - I put it to you folks for your thoughts..!? I am resigned to having to take it apart again and likely will go to the time, swearing and expense of skimming the block and the head if there is sufficient meat on it.... Gaaaaaarrrgggh!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobblers Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 Unlikely for there to be a problem on all 6 pots, if you have 125psi even on them all then I would be suspicious of your gauge, method or timing. twosmoke300 and warch 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cluffy Posted September 6, 2022 Author Share Posted September 6, 2022 2 minutes ago, cobblers said: Unlikely for there to be a problem on all 6 pots, if you have 125psi even on them all then I would be suspicious of your gauge, method or timing. Me being involved, it's highly likely I'm at fault... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Pastry Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 I don't see anything to worry about on the head or the block, although it's not clear which mark you refer to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cluffy Posted September 6, 2022 Author Share Posted September 6, 2022 On the left hand side of the picture - from the top, beneath and slightly to the left of the top two valves, there is a circular hole. The mark I refer to is on the right of that... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Pastry Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 Just now, Cluffy said: On the left hand side of the picture - from the top, beneath and slightly to the left of the top two valves, there is a circular hole. The mark I refer to is on the right of that... That's what I thought, but it is well clear of the pots. Consider where it would sit on the block - I think over one of the oval slots, which are probably present in the gasket anyway? Cluffy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfella2 Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 As mentioned above by @cobblersi would double check the timing. The only other thing I can hazard a guess at is the head gasket, is it the correct one for your car, is it a 2.9 gasket on a 2.8 or visa versa. Different thicknesses?? Cluffy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Pastry Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 Re-torque it and check the timing. Cluffy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cluffy Posted September 7, 2022 Author Share Posted September 7, 2022 I researched the gasket for a while so I am pretty confident it’s right. I will be speaking to stealth soon as they are specialists in these things. Checking the timing is an excellent idea. Should be a mornings effort getting manifold off etc Thanks for the ideas so far. Like I say I didn’t rush this work at all but never done before so a boo boo could easily have been made... mercedade and bigfella2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cluffy Posted September 26, 2022 Author Share Posted September 26, 2022 Evening Folks, Taken about a week on and off to get the engine bay pulled apart, ancillaries off, head off and now Valves out. I have found the following: - timing was still spot on. Camshafts exactly where they are supposed to be with No 1 at TDC - head bolts would not turn with torque wrench to necessary setting (it then needs another 180 degrees for each bolt) - areas of damage to the head where the piston tops have been chipping away at the surface. I’ve included a couple of pictures. I don’t know if it’s clear, but it’s like the pistons (mainly rear bank) have somehow got damaged and slightly “spikey” and they’ve then been grinding/gnawing into the head... 😳 - only other thing to note is that the coolant was really rusty when I drained it (was fresh a couple of months back) My only thought is that because the head clearly hasn’t sealed correctly (I found water in the bores and as mentioned before exhaust gases leaking into the chambers) maybe some of that rusty / contaminated coolant has got in and caused this....? Otherwise I am at a complete loss. This damage was not there last time I did this... thoughts please!! Anyone seen this before!? Thanks in advance AnnoyingPentium 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twosmoke300 Posted September 26, 2022 Share Posted September 26, 2022 Looks like either porosity or detonation ( pinking ) damage to me . Regarding low compression on all cylinders I agree with cobblers . Did you have the throttle wide open for the compression test ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cluffy Posted September 26, 2022 Author Share Posted September 26, 2022 Yes throttle was fully open / pedal fully pressed for the test. Now that I’ve looked in to pinking more, the damage does seem to look like pictures I’ve seen. i need to work out first what i can reuse and secondly how I stop it happening again... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barefoot Posted September 27, 2022 Share Posted September 27, 2022 There's a Corrado specialist just down the road from me. https://www.amosmotors.co.uk Mark's a nice bloke, give him a bell & send him the pictures. Cluffy and mercedade 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cluffy Posted October 2, 2022 Author Share Posted October 2, 2022 Evening all, After speaking to Stealth (we’ll renowned VR6 whispers), they have suggested I could’ve got the timing wrong on the intermediate shaft, causing this level of pinking. Fortunately the pistons cleaned up and the block is flat. Head is going for a skim tomorrow. Then I shall hopefully get the timing 100%. Watch this space. Valves to clean, lap in and squeeze back in first... I also need to replace my fuel hoses. Can anyone recommend a good brand to use? eBay is full of it. I need R9 these days but where to get it from...!? GrumpiusMaximus, Dick Longbridge, mercedade and 4 others 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cluffy Posted November 5, 2022 Author Share Posted November 5, 2022 Good Morning all, As I have good access to the water jacket, can anyone recommend a method / products to help clean the crap out of the block/clean out the rusty flakes that are left...? I will of course be replacing with fresh coolant but I can get in with some long and thin tools to clean. I intend to flush it all through with the “old” coolant when done (6 months old and has done about 40 miles..!) I was thinking something like bottle brushes just to clean at least the thick off but happy to take advice to those who have been here before 👍 Also, any advice to getting collets/keepers back in to hold valves? I’ve tried a few of the youtube tricks but I seem to be getting nowhere and really don’t want the expense of dedicated tool (£50 it seems) Thanks in advance! AnnoyingPentium 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Pastry Posted November 5, 2022 Share Posted November 5, 2022 1. Just flush it out with something and don't bother too much otherwise. The rusty flakes will sink to the bottom and stay there. 2. Use a proper valve spring compressor. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but that's how it is. Cluffy and Matty 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cluffy Posted November 5, 2022 Author Share Posted November 5, 2022 18 minutes ago, Mr Pastry said: 1. Just flush it out with something and don't bother too much otherwise. The rusty flakes will sink to the bottom and stay there. 2. Use a proper valve spring compressor. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but that's how it is. I have a spring compressor but it’s bulky and so far I’ve not managed to get the collets to sit as I want. PITA. I’ll see if I can find something else for reasonable money. I’ll just flush it as planned, then. I’m not too worried but as it’s sitting all “open” it’s worth doing Matty 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Pastry Posted November 5, 2022 Share Posted November 5, 2022 Not all compressors fit all heads, so you may not have the ideal one. While you can manage without a compressor if sufficiently skilled there is quite a risk of damaging something and especially bending a valve, so best not to as you want to do a decent job. "Experts" on Youtube have a lot to answer for, imo. Cluffy and Matty 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matty Posted November 5, 2022 Share Posted November 5, 2022 He's right too @Cluffy. Most of the time it's longer and harder to attempt a work around than just do it right. Fifty quids a chunk for one tool mind, but could wind up a lot dearer trying to do it without. Also, this thread needs more photos! Love a Corrado 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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