Michelin XZX

Dream engine-dream car....

Polished Speedmasters

The polishing and finish on the wheels is superb- a step up from the "midland" budget wheels I have had previously. 

Mooneyes speedmaster wheels

Goodies arrived today courtesy of CSP, wheels in et13&21. 

Also finally managed to get a pair of 185/70 tyres, looked at classic Michelin to complement the XZX for the front but just too expensive not far off £300 per tyre!

Pirelli P6000 looks ok though with a chunky section thanks to that 70 section. 

Tyres ordered through www.tyreleader.co.uk and came from Germany in less than 4 business days would recommend. Only place I could find a decent price on the Pirelli and Pirelli were the only "modern" manufacturer who seemed to do a 185/70. 

Mooneyes Speedmaster wheels

The better half has very kindly treated me to a set of polished speedmasters!

Tyres on order, 145/15 XZX and a 185/70 section for the rears. 

Picture of the wheels below and go check out speedhunters.com

Engine breather box location

In an effort to maximise space in the engine bay, and keep it looking clean and simple routed all breather pipes through the front tin. 

This then connects to a CSP  six port breather box, which I have painted satin black to conceal it and made up some brackets to suspend it above the gearbox. 

The box is tilted to "hopefully" ensure some drain back into the valve covers. 

Filter breathers to be mounted on the upper two ports, upwards of the internal baffle. 

Only time will tell how this works in practise, concern being whether the box is high enough, but hopefully with clever routing of pipes will encourage drain back to the engine if needed. 

Easter progress...

Finished off the prep of the rear wheel arches, with acid etch primer two coats and stone chip in satin black. 

Test run

After some starter motor issues, ran the engine as per cam break in rules and also increased concentration of zinc with "CamShield".

Great to see it run after all this time prepping it.

Chromoly pushrod cut to length

Cut the pushrods to length this morning, all cut to close tolerance and ball ends inserted using an old lifter.  

Engine on the test stand

Stand sourced from air-cooled-parts one of the nicest firms to deal with, based in Ireland. 

See link : http://www.air-cooled-parts.com/cat/product_info.php?cPath=330&products_id=38821

Finally getting close to using it now that I have transferred the engine from the build up stand. 

Linkage and flaps works well, just need to connect up the thermostat, lower tin and finish off the alternator restore and plumb in the oil lines and almost ready for the break in run. YouTube awaits!

Alfa Romeo oil seal- double lip

A recent purchase from the Volksworld show, double lip flywheel oil seal. 

More details at: http://www.statesidetuning.co.uk/newproducts.html 

Part bakelite seal

Double lip seal, hopefully this should eliminate any leaks. 

AN fittings

Decided to fit the breathers and oil lines with aeroquip push on hose and AN8 fittings to enable them to be removable. 

Also managed to get hold of correct sized fittings for IDF 44, and angled fittings to enable a safe bend radius on the stainless braided AN6 lines. 

CSP IDF choke plates

They fit well and make a flush finish. 

CSP delivery day

No not the cat... but a set of MSD leads, item of tinware (seems a heavier gauge than others- better!) and some slimline choke plates for the 44IDF's. 

Should offer the clearance I need as using an original fanshroud and close to stock width. 

Nice crimping kit on the MSD set for securing the coil connector and "numbers" for marking the leads. 

Flame Thrower II Coil "refresh"...rattle can style

It was looking a bit worse for wear with chips in the black paint, so thought I would paint it silver and lay on some clear coat. Silver seems to work quite well against the satin black and better than the cheesy "flame" stickers that pertronix add to them.

Finished off the fan shroud tonight

Just need to install the flaps and linkage:

trial fitting engine tin and fan shroud

managed to locate some VW engine shrouds and rather than try to stretch them to accommodate manifolds, cut and extended them to avoid distorting them.

original tinware fits so much better than aftermarket items also helped by a stock width stroker format

more genuine tinware, fits well and seals air gaps

more trial fitting of engine tinware and shroud, will be running thermostat and all under side tin. Stock width engine really helps fit- welded up holes and profiled for a smooth look when painted- satin black 

MST alternator stand

cap screws direct into stand with rubber o ring as a seal, a bit basic but works ok.

side exit vent thread

cap thread entrance