de-clutter SPI engine bay

de-clutter SPI engine bay

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mailer555

Original Poster:

227 posts

138 months

Tuesday 29th March 2016
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Hi Guys,
this is the first time I've posted in this section. I'm restoring a SPI Cooper with my 14 year old son at the moment (might have it ready by the time he starts driving!) we made a start to striping out the engine last night as it needs a real good clean and bits done to it. I was wondering if anyone had tried to de clutter the engine bay as the SPI and MPI,s all look messy as standard. Also any in put on the best way to remove the engine would be much appreciated as we are no mechanics, more hit and hope style!! cheers.

guru_1071

2,768 posts

241 months

Tuesday 5th April 2016
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you can get the engine out of a spi in about 30 min if your really 'on it' but as a first time removal I would say that you would be looking at about 3-4 hours to undo everything in a organised manner

the only two plugs you need to keep your eye out for are the two on the injection that look the same, so label them as you can get them mixed up. you also need to be careful removing the fuel injection pipes - you need two spanners, one to hold the union firm in the body of the injection and the other to turn the pipe nut - its really easy to round the union in the body off or twist the actual fuel pipe round and damage it. nothing else is a problem - its just nuts and bolts - take the rad, alternator, starter, dizzy and oil filter housing of before you lift it as it gives you more room.

as for lifting it out you can either drop the top ball joints and knock the inner pot joints out and then manually lift it out with two people, or use a chain hoist - if you use a chain hoist you can get away with leaving the car on its wheels and just cutting the tiestraps on the inner pot joint boots , you can then leave the inner parts on the shafts, and leave the outer parts on the gear box - you cannot do this if your manually lifting it as its quite fiddle and you just wont have the stamina to be wriggling and lifting at the same time!

rufusruffcutt

1,543 posts

212 months

Wednesday 6th April 2016
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guru_1071 said:
then manually lift it out with two people
My back nearly went into spasm just reading that biggrinweeping

guru_1071

2,768 posts

241 months

Wednesday 6th April 2016
quotequote all
rufusruffcutt said:
My back nearly went into spasm just reading that biggrinweeping
its easy, done literally hundreds of them, lift it up, rest it on the front panel, get your breath, drop it on the floor.

now im older I use a chain block...... smile