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Post by wannabe on Jul 1, 2020 13:32:38 GMT
So... sent off all my forms, receipts, V5C to DVLA ages ago. Never heard back. Phone them up... nope. Just an answer phone message saying we are not answering any calls (due to the corona hoax). Sent them an email online. No reply. Obviously. This country is a prarrie canoe hole run by morons who watch too much TV. Same - still waiting for my paperwork! |
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Post by V6 on Jul 1, 2020 14:02:41 GMT
I wish everyone who is so scared would just go and live on their own island. Then the rest of us could actually get on with living.
I don't care what others do, but when the programmed slaves try and disrupt my life it gets a tad annoying.
Already my favorite local restaurant is gone forever. Over the usual annual flu, which is lower than the last three years in a row. But TV Land said panic, so sheep must panic.
Oh well, back to cars....
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Post by scottydugg on Jul 1, 2020 15:22:53 GMT
I (carefully!) used one of these for the gasket, although mine fortunately came off pretty much in one piece - it was useful for the light surface rust that appeared later, though...: www.moss-europe.co.uk/scraper-razor-mtr471104.htmlI think the best technique is to drag it towards you, as pushing away risks digging it in. It's a total PITA trying to avoid getting scraped off stuff into the holes in the block face! (I found the hoover useful for sucking that crap out of the way as well.) I managed to lift the head on myself, without the intake attached, although I can't guarantee I haven't put some circles in the head face around the collets / dowel pins  lol (Collets: www.autolinkmx5.com/cylinder-head-locating-dowel--pin-genuine-mazda-mx-5-b63010306-5268-p.asp ) Zed. . was awesome and kind enough to make me some headbolts with no head on, to help guide the block down correctly, and also a thread cleaner bolt for the holes for the headbolts  which I seriously think meant I could put it all back together - there was a lot of crap in the threads that I wouldn't have been able to clear out otherwise!! The other option is to use some sticks or doweling rod to guide you in, as Zed was good enough to recommend  mighty5s.com/post/40953/threadPutting the head and intake together would have been much easier off the car, due to the PITA access to the bolts, but getting both onto the car together on my own would have been back-breaking! Two of you might well be do-able, but don't forget you'd have to work around the bonnet support strut if you've still got the bonnet on and want to be one person each side of the bay. Thanks Wannabe, I've got a window scraper like that Moss tool I think I can potentially use, ideal! |
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Post by scottydugg on Jul 3, 2020 10:29:22 GMT
Tried two bouts of the Mopar combustion chamber cleaner as per the revlimiter guide, seems to be doing the trick. I'll try a couple more times when I get a chance.  No amount of scraping on the block seems to clear up the marks, but they are smooth to the touch so I don't think they're an issue? |
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Post by dadbif on Jul 3, 2020 13:10:51 GMT
I used a bit of wet and dry to get the final staining off both head and block.
Don’t get any in the bores...
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Post by scottydugg on Jul 8, 2020 8:16:25 GMT
Sensors fitted and heads now complete and ready to be dropped on, just need to finish cleaning the pistons/deck. Also managed to source some mk2/2.5 IACV/TPS plugs so I can use the mk2.5 throttle body. I hope the mk1 hoses match up to it.
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Post by scottydugg on Jul 14, 2020 13:02:19 GMT
Bought a mk2 starter motor for my mk1, they're on offer on Auolink just now. Easy access to swap with the head off.
Smaller, lighter and more powerful from what I've read.
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Post by scottydugg on Jul 22, 2020 8:50:56 GMT
Finally cleaned the deck and pistons enough, so head gasket on and with help, the head/inlet manifold back in position with the head bolts finger tight.
We struggled aligning it, so the collets marked the skimmed head slightly (not between bores) but no gouges/scratches etc. We'd know how to do it properly next time!
Must add, everyone goes on about the flat top (mk2.5) inlet manifold being great for performance, it's also great for access underneath and it moves the fuel rail connections to the front, rather than buried in the middle like the mk1.
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Post by wannabe on Jul 22, 2020 10:31:10 GMT
Bolting the inlet back onto the head with the head on the car is possibly the biggest PITA job ever, lol, so good plan to keep it together!
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Post by Zed. on Jul 22, 2020 10:45:04 GMT
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Post by wannabe on Jul 22, 2020 12:11:54 GMT
My hands are not 'big' - I easily changed 'the cursed water plug' at the back of the engine without need to remove anything around it - but getting to the bolts through the inlets was a total PITA!!!  |
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Post by Zed. on Jul 22, 2020 12:25:09 GMT
My hands are not 'big' - I easily changed 'the cursed water plug' at the back of the engine without need to remove anything around it - but getting to the bolts through the inlets was a total PITA!!! 3/8" drive double-depth socket, extension bar & ratchet (maybe a universal-joint?) is your friend  Rich. |
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Post by wannabe on Jul 22, 2020 12:38:27 GMT
My hands are not 'big' - I easily changed 'the cursed water plug' at the back of the engine without need to remove anything around it - but getting to the bolts through the inlets was a total PITA!!! 3/8" drive double-depth socket, extension bar & ratchet (maybe a universal-joint?) is your friend Rich. One of the problems was getting the bolts into position to be bolted down - they fall out of the end of the socket while wiggling it round the inlet sections, and trying to hold it in place and get the socket to it is like trying to pat your head and rub your stomach at the same time! |
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Post by dadbif on Jul 22, 2020 21:26:19 GMT
SORN’d mine, I think I dropped a valve yesterday, rattling and running on three, can’t get at it until I finish my radiotherapy. Bugger..
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Post by wannabe on Jul 22, 2020 23:32:05 GMT
SORN’d mine, I think I dropped a valve yesterday, rattling and running on three, can’t get at it until I finish my radiotherapy. Bugger.. Sorry to hear both of those things! Radio is less harsh than Chemo, isn't it? Hope you're back up and running again soon I'd offer to help but... |
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lol
which I seriously think meant I could put it all back together - there was a lot of crap in the threads that I wouldn't have been able to clear out otherwise!! The other option is to use some sticks or doweling rod to guide you in, as Zed was good enough to recommend 
le sigh