Finally getting on with it...
Discussion
Remember my Esprit, the one with the broken istons? Well I finally got round to opulling it down the drive way and started stripping the engine down to a bare block. The head was already off, as was the sump, and the pistons had been pulled. I reckon if I get it down to block and crank, with the crank pulley off, it should slide far enough forward to allow me to lift it out without dismantling any of the transmission... but I could be wrong! 
Anyway, there's a slowly-growing pile of ancillaries that need looking at too; I started by stripping the alternator down as it has been sat in a spray of oil thrown from the timing belt due to a leaking seal somewhere at the front of the motor.
With the alternator transformed into a pile of mucky bits I set to with the degreasing tank to get the worst of the crud off.
I found a Motorola label on the side; date of manufacture Week 22, 1983! So very probably the original unit (car was registered in Nov. 83).
The shaft bearings have a small amount of slop in them; I'll check my stock and see if I have anything suitable. Otherwise there'll be a purchase order going in at work...
The brush set is looking worn; for what they cost I'll probably drop a new set in.
The slip rings don't look too bad and all the diodes check out as does the insulation.
Quick wave of the bead blaster over the alloy castings and it'll be like new...
I had the starter motor in bits not so long back; might just wire brush it up and repaint it for now.
The distributor is also due for a strip; might as well get the odds and ends out of the way before the engine comes in.
I suppose I ought to buy some new pistons and stuff...[reaches for SJSC catalogue]...
Anyway, there's a slowly-growing pile of ancillaries that need looking at too; I started by stripping the alternator down as it has been sat in a spray of oil thrown from the timing belt due to a leaking seal somewhere at the front of the motor.
With the alternator transformed into a pile of mucky bits I set to with the degreasing tank to get the worst of the crud off.
I found a Motorola label on the side; date of manufacture Week 22, 1983! So very probably the original unit (car was registered in Nov. 83).
The shaft bearings have a small amount of slop in them; I'll check my stock and see if I have anything suitable. Otherwise there'll be a purchase order going in at work...
The brush set is looking worn; for what they cost I'll probably drop a new set in.
The slip rings don't look too bad and all the diodes check out as does the insulation.
Quick wave of the bead blaster over the alloy castings and it'll be like new...
I had the starter motor in bits not so long back; might just wire brush it up and repaint it for now.
The distributor is also due for a strip; might as well get the odds and ends out of the way before the engine comes in.
I suppose I ought to buy some new pistons and stuff...[reaches for SJSC catalogue]...jk1 said:
Wedg1e,
Just one question. Why are you tearing down the engine in-situ? Are you a masochist or what?
Jim
??? It's not THAT difficult. It started with the top end 'cos of the running problems, then I dropped the sump to get at the conrod bolts, and by the time the pistons were out there wasn't much left!
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