scimitar shite

[autofive]

just before xmas the Scimitar popped a core plug on the rear of the block, and then the clutch stopped working.

Now the snow has melted i set about removing the engine to replace the core plug, and look at the clutch

 

this morning;

on axle stands while i remove the lower water pipes and bellhousing bolts

 

i knew a core plug on the side of the block was leaking, but didnt realise it was completely missing

 

this afternoon;

after skinning all my knuckles and freezing my nuts off all day, i only have some top bellhousing bolts to remove then i can hoist it out Sunday

 

update tomorrow.....

[Mr_Bo11ox]

You're made of stern stuff A5, is this the scim that you fitted three engines to in a fortnight? If so, and it had then popped a core plug i'd cheerfully have lowered that two-post + cortina onto its roof for a laugh.

[autofive]

You're made of stern stuff A5, is this the scim that you fitted three engines to in a fortnight? If so, and it had then popped a core plug i'd cheerfully have lowered that two-post + cortina onto its roof for a laugh.

 

yes, same scimitar

 

i was tempted to just park it up and leave it until spring, but its taxed and mot'ed until August and as soon the spring hits i want to be driving it.

Also its clutchless at present, so difficult to move around so scary can get on with other projects.

[scaryoldcortina]

Also its clutchless at present, so difficult to move around so scary can get on with other projects.

 

And removing the engine makes it easier to move around? I suppose I'll have to help put it back together then....

[autofive]

Also its clutchless at present, so difficult to move around so scary can get on with other projects.

 

And removing the engine makes it easier to move around? I suppose I'll have to help put it back together then....

 

hey yea - what a great idea

[scaryoldcortina]

Any progress on this yet then? It's been like a week!

 

[autofive]

Any progress on this yet then? It's been like a week!

 

 

he asked knowingly

 

 

 

 

after a hectic week of avoiding doing any actual work on the scimitar........

 

i arrived at scaryville towers this lunchtime, opened the door and found this;

 

scary had very kindly removed the engine yesterday and even taken off the clutch and flywheel

Thanks scary - you saved me a long tedious job today

 

so this afternoon i set about the coreplugs, engine must have frozen up as i found 4 plugs holed and one completely missing - even though there was a high percentage of antifreeze in the cooling system the essex is not used to -12 centigrade

 

top tip: dont knock a plug through into the block then spend about half an hour fishing it out with a torch and two long screwdrivers acting as chopsticks

 

one pair of shiny core plugs in before camera battery died

[autofive]

changed the front casing for the correct one for a front bowl sump

 

 

fibre timing wheel looks okay

 

front dipstick casing with gasket and new crank seal

 

just the large coreplug left (needs seating properly but i can't a large socket to do it) then i can re-assemble

[Dave7]

Nice car if it bit of a hassle. I owned a 69 GTE a few years back - poor shape but very rare in Canada.

 

[Guest]

Yeah listen right, if you get stuck, I know this yard where there's fucking loads of them.

[autofive]

Nice car if it bit of a hassle. I owned a 69 GTE a few years back - poor shape but very rare in Canada.

 

 

looks like a nice example, and with the original wheel trims, radiator fan kit and chrome side-strips too

rare indeed

 

 

Yeah listen right, if you get stuck, I know this yard where there's fucking loads of them.

 

im always in need of spare bits and pieces

currently looking for front seats in black vinyl, as mine are cracked

 

 

today i finished off the core plug, refitted the flywheel and clutch, its now ready to refit, but i want to change the clutch slave cylinder first, hopefully do that tomorrow

[autofive]

hey hoo

hear we go again

 

 

after almost 5 months on the floor, the essex is about to be put back in the se5

 

dropped the gearbox to change to the se6 manual overdrive box, but found too many differences (prop connection, slave unit position and gearstick linkages) so sorted out the sloppy linkages on the TypeZ box instead by adding new rubbers and clips

 

se5 (Z-type) box

 

se6 (ford 3-rail) box

 

spot the difference(s)

 

the scene tonight:

 

Friday: bolt the engine and gearbox together, drop it in, bleed the clutch, add oil and filter, refit exhaust pipes, cables, HT leads etc, refit radiator and refill with coolant. Then get it running

 

what could possibly go wrong?

[Pete-M]

Just out of interest, are these things actually any good? I'm kinda tempted to try one.

[autofive]

i like the scimitar, but like most 40 year old cars you have to keep up the maintenance or they will let you down.

MPG is low, (around 15-20) but with twin pipes and the essex rumble anything over 2000 revs makes you grin and frightens old ladies, handling is good, spares are mostly available, but a spares car can be quite useful. A lot of scimitars have been neglected in the past, so be wary of buying one sat on a front garden for a couple of years. As long you pick one up, on the road, for under a grand you wont loose money when you come to sell

[Rocket88]

Just out of interest, are these things actually any good? I'm kinda tempted to try one.

 

Bit archiac, SE5s are a bit cramped width wise, cramped footwells on the manual. Still nice to drive SE6s are molre civilised [pas on some] but not quite as nice, somehow, especially in the looks department.

[autofive]

well, the engines in - it took scary, qwerty and I to get it in - just small stuff to do now, and i should be abkle drive it home tomorrow night

 

[scaryoldcortina]

[autofive]

 

first programme in a new series of the cars the star??

[autofive]

today didnt quite go as planned....

 

this morning i noticed the water pump pulley was resting on the o/s suspension turret and n/s of the bellhousing touching the chassis, a quick squint underneath confirmed that the tailshaft of the gearbox had shifted so i spent most of the afternoon sorting it out

 

then (while i had it on axle stands), tackled the wheel bearings, in the process i found out why the hubs didnt really fit properly and i'd previously had problems with constantly loosening bearings. The bearing kit had a fibre washer included that sits against the upright - you have to soak them in oil before fitting (causing the oil to run down the back of the brake disc when compressed ) they were both missing on my car allowing the inner bearing to move around a little.

 

as the scimitar had been sitting outside for almost 6 months the discs (new in april last year) were very rusty, so out with the knotbrush...

 

Qwerty arrived at tea time and changed a track rod end for me and then we talked bollocks for a few hours until i realised it was very dark. will this ever get finished?