I just attached the gearbox and starter and turned it over direct from the battery. Both the starter and battery are new so once clearances checked will do a basic leak test
Hi from sunny Lincs, Before you adjust your tappets check your engine code to see if you've got hydraulic ones
Sorry fruitcake but I've only just read your post. I tried and failed miserably to set the tappets so thought 'sod it', I'll take the heads off. I don't know whether to laugh or cry (have a look at the pics) and give me your honest opinion......gulp!
Well, it shouldn't have had water in it. Is/was there water in the sump? And the rings are probably shot and it needs a complete rebuild TBH. I wouldn't trust it otherwise. It might just be a case of clean, new bearings and reassemble, or might not.
No water in the sump as far as I could tell. Cylinders I could see were smooth. I guess I'll keep taking it apart until I lose the will to live!
Before you go delving into your engine id give the rest of your van a good prodding over underneath I can see there has been a repair on the rear sloping section of the interior between the wheel arches using sheet fastened in with pop rivets and what looks like bathroom sealent This with a lot of fresh underseal applied under the bus is a bit of a warning sign
yep. to be honest the bus was a gamble and the engine in particular, hence I've started on that first. once I've stopped crying, i'll have a good look all over it. thanks
Your in good hands here dude and dont fret too much many of us go through it Put that engine in a box and slide it to one side for a while Engines can be bought ready to go Id spend a good time getting the bodywork and mechanicals checked and in good condition first
It does rather remind me of when I used to take Hillman Imp heads off following an overheat and the inevitable head warp
Well, I've stopped crying so it's outside to look at what else I can find to cry about as per @paradox et al advice. Please don't mention the words 'Hilman Imp'. My first car, and it mentally scarred me for life!
The bit above the part Para commented on also looks like a bodge. Have a look at other resto threads to see how the inside above the engine bay and down to the cargo floor should look like. The lower part is repair - what's the betting it aluminium sheet? The upper part - Look from under to see why it was done and if it all looks good take it back off. People do crazy things like this when e.g. yours, they're just covering a hole to access the petrol tank sender.
Otherwise it looks pretty solid to me. The fresh black stuff is very thin, I don't see odd shaped rusty bits or chassis repairs. Clean around the chassis tubes (on the inside anyway). Looks ok.
My first car too, It got it as scrapper in 1977 for £10. I had to spend a weeks wages on it (£20) to get an MOT and then the love affair began................
Just to make you fee better this is mine, Believe it or not the heads are salvageable and the bottom end is pretty good , had to smash the Pistons out of the barrels
Bought mine in 1978 and it overheated on the M1 at Newport Pagnell services. They charged me £60 to tow it off the slip road. Called my dad he towed me home with his Ford Anglia. Heyho