keeping my 4x4 alive

[martin.p]

earlyer this yr I got a astra as a daily driver so I could keep the cally off the road this winter. then the mrs and I split up so this has give me extra time and money to restor my calibra! so a few weeks ago I started removing bits and today got the time to get the lump out

And my m8 let me use his workshop 8) best bit is its about 30meters from mine so the car can be pushed to and from 8) 8) 8)





then I was able to push my engine on its little trolley to my lock up. down nr my astra.


one dirty oily greesy mess of a sub frame and bay


then since I had the workshop for the day i though It would be best to get off what i could. so off came the side skirts,(was pleased to see there not fooked behind. off with the prop shaft, petrol tank as I've read the top is prone to falling apart. its a bit corroded but I think its savable still. removed and probably replace petrol lines,




took al the inner arch's off found loads of cottected mud behind them :-\ :-\ what a moister trap. :-\.


I found this behind the nr side inner arch?? what is it??

it has a hose coming all the way from the petrol tank to it then another off it out the front of the wing and looks like it pointed at the floor :-\

and whats this with what looks like something missing off one of the hoses. I'm sure I didn't pull anything off it?? whats it meant to join to!??
then all returned to the lock up at the end of the day. next is to get cleaning and painting 8) 8)

then when I got home I found my parcel had arrived of EBay with a FULL set of hoses for my car (blue silicone) 8) 8)


and this morning I picked up a new rad back and front bumpers set of std head lights and I've got a new dizzy as mines been leaking and a set of Saab red injectors (in case I need them when I get it tested for fueling)
Top

[vantastic007]

The cannister in the wheel arch is an evap cannister, it captures fumes from the tank when stopped then lets the engine burn them off when running.

[martin.p]

Had another weekend at the lock up 8) I started stripping parts off the engine to clean it up and found the oil leek is not only from around the dizzy and rocker but coming out of head gasket :-\
so OFF WITH ITS HEAD. ;D
as you can see, as could I when I got the turbo off, the oil all down the front of block.



I'm no expert here and I'm learning as I go. so here is a pic of all 4 pistons. do they look ok??





My old man tells me these cross hashed marks are a good sine? as they are the horn marks?? and shows there has not been lots of ware by the pistons.
I have no idea if its been redone be for I got the car. but its on 136,000
and all 4 pots look the same and I cant feel any scores or marks.

and some pic of how it is at the mo. just need to get my hands on a steam cleaner then I can get on with painting.



some bits in for ground cleaned and sprayed. 8)

[c20letian]

looking good. keep up the good work..
ian

[martin.p]

Well I'v found time this week to remove the pistons,and steam clean the block, head, gearbox and TX box
Befor






After



then after painting with high temp paint 650-950 iirc



Block will be off to be honed in a few days. then new rings and shells and black enamel pain and it can start going back together 8)

[7unner172]

looking good dude

[dopey]

can't beat some nice shiney bits , looks good all cleaned up

[martin.p]

thanks chaps. i'm well looking forward to seeing the engine built and clean. and sat in a spotless bay. oh and getting to drive her again.

[martin.p]

The block is back from having a hone 8)

Had new rings! and got the pistons cleaned. 8) looks like they did it in acid of some sort??

Got all the new shells and bolts 8)

Then my mate skimmed the head for me 8) 8)
befor and after




and a couple of vids. one of first cut and one of second cut.




And I've got my hybrid turbo.(in upper pic) 8) other one up for sale soon.(no smoke)


old one


newer one

[c20letian]

looking good..
ian

[Joker]

nice project mate, how much did you pay for your block to be honed? My local shop wanted £15 so I've sent it off. What are you painting your block with and what colour, also where did you get the gearbox paint from.

[martin.p]

nice project mate, how much did you pay for your block to be honed? My local shop wanted £15 so I've sent it off. What are you painting your block with and what colour, also where did you get the gearbox paint from.

Thanks chaps,

The block cost 20 quid to be honed. so you came better of at 15.00, I'm painting the block gloss black, with a engine enamel paint.
and the gear box is painted with a silver VHT paint. like these below.
2 X 500ML VHT VERY HIGH TEMPERATURE SILVER SPRAY PAINT | eBay
2X 500 ML SIMONIZ ENGINE ENAMEL SPRAY PAINT GLOSS BLACK | eBay

[pie]

looking good buddy

[martin.p]

[c20letian]

the block is looking great. what did you use to kill the rust?
ian

[martin.p]

the block is looking great. what did you use to kill the rust?
ian

eBay - The UK's Online Marketplace

[c20letian]

are you going to bake the block in the oven. i got the same paint but in silver and im hoping i can use one of the ovens at work..

[martin.p]

na, wasn't planing to. although it would have been nice to. I'm going to rely on running the car for 90 min or whatever it said on the tin. once its all running. and putting up with the smell I guess.

[c20letian]

i thought about putting mine in the oven in the kitchen but i dont think it will fit lol

[andy_gsi]

great thread mate

[CB GTE]

Looks great mate, Need more updates and pics...

[Adam]

cool thread

[martin.p]

Thanks chaps.

not much has changed, as I've had a lot of work to do this week, and I see my kids this weekend!

but the crank is back in with all the pistons as well. (only took a few pics at the time) and I started to clean up the petrol tank cap.

[thedondy]

some nice work there mate

[Joe]

Good on ya mate! Keep up the good work!