is there anybody there

[barnsweeper]

Hi everyone is there anybody on here who lives in the north west of England with experience in lifting a chimera 400 engine out, if not can anyone tell me if its easier to just lift the engine and box out or separate them, I'm in the middle of a body lift and I am unable to remove one of the manifold bolts as its stuck fast and partially rounded off I can only get an open ended spanner on it but its slipping, I have no means of getting any heat to it and I'm in a lockup with a Genny for power any advice would be appreciated, I'm struggling as I have no knowledge around tvr and I'm partially disabled but willing to give it a go.

[barnsweeper]

Thanks everybody, the bolt that is stuck is on the nearside 2nd from front and underneath manifold unfortunately the last bolt along won't unscrew fully until the manifold is moved away from the engine, I have built a couple of hoists so that I can lift the body off completely off and leave it suspended and wheel the chassis out from underneath, the car is an not failure (outriggers) but it was left for 5 years in a damp garage and it looks like it has taken its toll on the rest of the chassis, also there was a fire about 4 doors down so the case is smoke damaged too which has eaten into the clearcoat, I spent 3 days rubbing down with farecla g3 which has removed 80% but will need the clear coat removing and redoing, there is also a bit of impact damage on the front offside wing which I will have to sort but hey ho nothing ventured, one good thing is after being stood for five years it started with first turn of the key and I went for a thrilling ride around the block with no problems, brakes,clutch steering all worked a treat which gave me a bit of encouragement. Thanks again for any suggestions, Jim.

[barnsweeper]

thanks for all the suggestions, unfortunately i cant see the gasket, i am using a 14mm open ended spanner but it looks like the bolt has been abused in the past, ive tried tapping it with the hammer and i also modified a chisel from my sds hammer drill to fit over the end of the spanner and tried vibrating it round but because its a rubbish fit it just slips off, ill make a few more attempts tonight if unsuccesful i will just have to attempt to remove the engine, ive removed the battery, bonnet, Tank, all chassis bolts,swirl pot, header tank, radiator and air con condensor, seats + belts, Maf and pipework, exhaust y piece, Exhaust,and now im stuck for one bolt.

[barnsweeper]

Thanks for that i may give that one a go, however thinking about your earlier suggestion re rotating the manifold if i mget in with a hacksaw blade and cut off the head of the partially removed bolt then unscrew it the rest of the way by hand i may be able to rotate the manifold, at worst it will mean a new gasket, things are looking up from at a loss to two options to try, Thanks everybody. Jim.

[barnsweeper]

Danblez said:

I cant add any more than has been said already but where in the NW are you? I have some experience wielding spanners and would be happy to help a fellow TVRer!

EDIT: Just seen from your profile you are in Preston, I am not far away in Southport, if I can be off any assistance give me a shout by email (in my profile)

Hi thanks for that Ill give it a go tonight and see what happens, Thanks.

[barnsweeper]

Thanks, jim.

[barnsweeper]

DarkMatter said:

Could more working space be gained by disconnecting one or both engine mounts and raising/twisting the engine a little, having supported the engine first of course?

Its the actual manifold thats in the way, but thanks for the suggestion.

[barnsweeper]

OleVix said:

I took out my engine with both manifolds on before doing the body lift, not too bad!

Hi Thanks, i was hoping to avoid taking the engine out if poss as im working in a single garage and there isnt much room, also i would have to hire an engine hoist to lift it out and again to put it back in, regards Jim.

[barnsweeper]

Anything is worth a try, thanks,Jim.

[barnsweeper]

Thanks for that but I can't get a socket or a ring spanner on the bolt as the manifold prevents it, I'm going to remove the offside manifold hopefully over the weekend and try to lift the body with the nearside on. Regards Jim.

[barnsweeper]

ukdj said:

have you considered removing/sliding back the exhaust and attacking the bolt from underneath?

Hi thanks for the suggestion, I've already removed the exhaust and had a tho from underneath, I've been into x works at wesham today and he showed me what shape spanners they use and a couple of techniques, so hopefully tomorrow night I should have it removed, I'm spanner bending tonight. Regards, Jim.

[barnsweeper]

ChilliWhizz said:

Good luck Jim

Cheers chili.

[barnsweeper]

Update, well folks I have tried every which way to remove this manifold bolt without success so I made an attempt at removing the offside manifold and would you believe it the same bolt is seized on the other side, so I decided to take the engine out with gearbox attached, whilst trying to remove the pas pump pulley it became obvious that the car has been stored in a damp garage for the last 5 years corrosion has took its toll on nearly every nut and bolt its even a struggle to undo a jubilee clip, however everything is now detached and I am just waiting for an engine leveller which I have ordered this morning, I am going to try and take some pictures of the shed I mean car and put them up next week, when you see it you will think I have gone mad, I am starting to think that this may take a while before the car is back on the road. Jim.

[barnsweeper]

J400GED said:

Any news Jim?

Unfortunately not really the same bolt is seized on both sides, so I decided i will have to remove the engine, I don't think there is a bolt or nut that isn't seized due to the car being stood for the last five years, the engine is ready to be removed and I have just ordered an engine leveller so as soon as it arrives I will hire an engine hoist and lift it out, its made me more determined to restore the car however long it takes. Jim.

[barnsweeper]

I'm commited to removing the engine now, once its out I can put it on the trailer and take it up to xworks at wesham its only five mins from where I live and the guys that run it are great blokes and will help you out, I even had to drill one of the flanged bolts on the pas pump pulley, it seems that five years stood in a garage has taken its toll on every but and bolt. Thanks for the suggestion, Jim.

[barnsweeper]

Does anyone know what the thickness is on the oblong exhaust plate which is underneath the car near the rear axle, mine is badly corroded so I was thinking of making a new one, the one I've taken off is around 1.5mm and crumbly so I can't tell if it was ever any thicker.

[barnsweeper]

LongBaz463BHP said:

I feel your pain. I am in the same process of trying to remove the exhaust manifold, got the top front three bolts (two of which snapped) undone. However the back two on each side are proving difficult, can't get a ring or socket on them. So will now have to take the engine out, which I was trying to avoid. Again all this to be done in a single integral garage. Like you I am planning on loading it on a trailer and taking it to someone to take the engine out for me. Oh the joys

I went into x works tvr and they showed me some of the spanners that they use on manifolds, they are called facom midget 75 degree open end spanners they are supplied by a company called Gibbs tools in Scotland £7.45 +vat & postage, unfortunately they order them from France so will take around 10 days, good luck with you're project. Jim.

[barnsweeper]

LongBaz463BHP said:

facom midget 75 degree open end spanners

Just had a look on Ebay, there are loads of them.
Barrie

Cheers I'll have a look,

[barnsweeper]

J400GED said:

Any news Jim?

Ged

Hi Ged, sorry for late reply but the website blocked all new members from commenting until now, well the engine and gearbox are all unbolted and ready to lift out, the body is unbolted and ready to lift too, I'm just waiting for my son in law to lend me an engine hoist, he has promised me for the last two weekends without delivering, I will probably hire one if he's not forthcoming this weekend, the original bolt I sheared on the body is clear I got underneath prepared to cut it off and low and behold when I poked around it had sheared flush with the chassis, this weekend I should make leaps and bounds if the hoist turns up, regards. Jim.

[barnsweeper]

ChilliWhizz said:

Jim, we need photo's mate

OK chilli I will take some pics tonight and try and upload them over the weekend, you have to bear in mind that I am very close to 60 and not technology savvie, regards Jim.