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Thread: engine rebuild after head gasket failure.

  1. #21
    Davezj's Avatar

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    A little update for you all.

    i have gone down a little rabbit hole with the engine rebuild.
    i could have just put the engine back together, but no i had to start messing with things and not for the right reason.
    there was no reason for doing this but i fell into it and once you start going down that rabbit hole you can't stop.

    what rabbit hole did i fall in to, i started cleaning some of the parts that i had removed from the engine. Oh if only i had stopped at cleaning.
    but no i had to start painting.
    Oh no, this was the start of point of no return.
    i started painting some of the functional parts like heat shielding, then i found some other parts just sitting there looking a bit rough, the A/C compressor bracket, the plenum chamber mounting brackets at the back of the engine, then the big mistake......
    i painted the rocker covers.

    this was the start or end of sanity.

    so if you haven't guess by now i have been painting lots of parts that are bolted to the engine and the block. it is a bit silly but i can't seem to stop painting parts.

    i stand there and consider what each part will look like on the car and think what will it look like next to the parts i have already painted and the answer is always it will look a bit ****.
    so i have had to start painting lots of parts that should not need painting.
    to put i bluntly, i have painted stupid parts like the thermostat housing to block coolant tube, you can't even see it if the engine is one piece.
    am i going mental???

    i am even considering cleaning and cidying up the engine bay,what is wrong with me.
    this is not adding any power, efficiency or torque. so why do it?
    i can only say i have been infected. for the first time in my life i am making things tidy.

    This now quite disturbing.....

    Bye for Now!

  2. #22
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    Seems like your new glasses actually work
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  3. #23
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    But will it ever extend to the surfaces outside of the engine bay?!
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  4. #24
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    this engine is going back in my spare vr4 the black factory manual.

    so i will have to decide what to do with it once i have finished the work.

  5. #25
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    you have to be a little unhinged to love a VR4. This means there is nothing really wrong with what you're doing.

    Make sure you post some pictures of your artistic efforts
    '97 Manual Legnum in silver with some subtle mods

    My first VR4 - '97 Legnum Dark Green & mean ...it was love at first sight - now sold

  6. #26
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    when i have finished the painting of the raw aluminium parts in the engine bay it will only be the the heads and gearbox that are not painted.

    i am not painting them a different colour i just want the metal work under the bonnet to stop oxidising/corroding when they get salty wet. so hopefully all the painted parts will look aluminium ish.

  7. #27
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    Ok all,
    so i have finished panting the parts, i wish i had not started paining anything other than the block. because anything factory finish i put up against the painted parts just looks a bit crap and unfinished. i have to stop some where and i draw the line at bolts. these do not need to be painted or finished or polished. that would be insane on any car other than a show car and this car is no show car it is a daily driver and i must keep that in mind otherwise it turn into a project that i will never finish and i will just start to resent.

    it has to stop and it will.

  8. #28
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    well it took me longer than expected, to get round to putting my engine back together.

    i ran out of time.

    by ran out time i mean i have no off road parking so my car was on the road out side my house with no engine in it, it was taxed and insured and MOT'ed.
    but the MOT was due to expire very soon so i had to rush to put the engine back together and get it fitted back in the car with gear box, transfer case, etc.
    before my car got towed away for being on the street without without an MOT.

    long storey short i did not have time to document the build.

    engine build went without a hitch

    maual gear box install was a bit of a pain but done.

    tidied up the rest of the car

    car went for an MOT today and passed.

    it had done 2 miles since last MOT
    i drove it back from MOT station about 18 month ago and took the engine out ready to rebuild it. lol
    thank goodness for the covid lockdown 6 month extension.

    i will be add some info to this thread as i find it on my phone, but i am just glad it is done at the moment and i back with 2 VR4 both with rebuilt engines one 20K miles old and still going strong and one freshly done which should be good for another 180K miles.

  9. #29
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    Well done

    Did you do an auto to manual change?
    Updating Soon!! 1998 Legnum VR4, fully serviced every 4500 miles. Fully Amsoil'd. Falken 453's, EVO 8 FQ320 rear diff.

  10. #30
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    Well done Dave, and it's running soo nice and smooth, I think best one so far, which one you still prefer? Auto laziness or manual acceleration?

  11. #31
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    has to be auto for me.
    i took it out today to get some petrol and LPG only a 5 mile round trim but i managed to stall it about 6 time. lol.
    been a while since i drove a manual.

  12. #32
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    Quote Originally Posted by Davezj View Post
    Ok all,
    so i have finished panting the parts, i wish i had not started paining anything other than the block. because anything factory finish i put up against the painted parts just looks a bit crap and unfinished. i have to stop some where and i draw the line at bolts. these do not need to be painted or finished or polished. that would be insane on any car other than a show car and this car is no show car it is a daily driver and i must keep that in mind otherwise it turn into a project that i will never finish and i will just start to resent.

    it has to stop and it will.


    Good you pick up silver colour as red look stupid

    131894566_10164614465310313_8515469771649943943_n.jpg



    Sorry can't resist when saw this picture

  13. #33
    Davezj's Avatar

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    i resisted the temptation of painting the pistons and rod. LOL

    most of the painted stuff you cant see, but i know it is there.

    the only things you can actually see is rocker covers and plenum really.

    i should really put a couple of pics up before it get all dirty with greasy hand prints etc.

    i am loving driving it as it is completely stock with respect to suspension and handling stuff, i now know it is so easy to ruin the feel of the factory car with badly chosen after market mod stuff.
    which i have done on the silver car.
    but i know how to fix it as i have just watch a series of videos last night with respect to wheel alignment, anti roll bars, and corner weight measurements.
    i will post up threads with these videos linked later. they are very interesting as they delve into the why to do it and why not to do it. Nnot just the this is what you should do.

  14. #34
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    Fantastic thread to read and great info.
    youtube "tha got beef wi me"
    i made that.

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