It is not that I want to do this, nor do I feel I need to do so to prove anything. I think I know my limits and getting the engine out (and then, even harder, getting it back in) is at the furthest edge of what I think I can manage or wish to manage. I won't pretend that I don't find this very intimidating. So, why am I putting myself through this? To which there is a simple answer, to clean, de-rust and repaint the engine bay of my Caterham 21. What makes things more difficult? Firstly this
Spurred on by the thread about blogs in Blatchat (started by moca2cv), I thought I would make a few short notes about this past year.
I got a new heater matrix for the 21 from Clayton. They were very helpful; it is a custom item but they used their modern design to fit the tiny space available in the 21. It is very effective, provided you are not travelling at speed. In traffic you feel that your shins will cook, on the motorways there is only just enough heat. The oversize fan on the radiator
I got to well over 1,000 miles very quickly. I took GJT to the rolling road and it ran even better with more advance on the dizzy.
GJT didn't come out in the snow, but is back in use now.
400 miles since I got GJT back. Oil and water levels are OK, exhaust has been delivered. It is so hard to keep below 5,000rpm whilst running in; it is so odd to drive with so few overtaking manoevres. I think I'll take it out for a few miles tomorrow.
So why did it take so long?
Well, from the Accralite website:- "As from the 5th December 2009 Accralite Pistons became a part of Omega Pistons Ltd." Quite why the consequence fo this was that they ran out of stock of +90thou pistons for Crossflows. Now I realise that there are 11 different versions of Accralite forged pistons for Crossflows with bore sizes from 82.5mm to 86mm, with different heights. I am also aware that the number of Crossflows running is deceasing but it was extremely frustr
Engine out time! With the substantial help from BIO, Mad Hatter and my friend Ben, the Crossflow came out of GJT yesterday (Saturday 23 January). I had removed most of the ancillaries in advance, drained the oil and coolant and poured a lot of Plus Gas over those bolts which didn't move first time! (It does make a difference).
You could say it didn't take long - from about 10:30 we worked until the engine was detatched and gearbox oil draining out of the back of the box as everything hung on
Well, sometime soon, once my finances are in better order, GJT will get back on the road.
Firstly an engine refresh: by way of preventative maintenance. As part of this, forged pistons for lightness and robustness. Maybe MegaJolt too, for reasons explored by others http://213-04.com/t.asp?id=175188.
Secondly the Ital rear axle has a hub or half-shaft which needs replacing, fortunately I have a complete unit for spare parts.
Aside from that poor old GJT needs so TLC. New wings all round.
GJT the car is on SORN at the moment, so I am using the 21 - 524 - as a practical car and poor GJT is in the garage behind a large pile of rubble which I am using to fill in the holes in the unadopted road outside.
