It’s finally happened.
Discussion
Belle427 said:
You going for clam removal?
Probably what I would do to make access a bit easier.
Hi Belle,Probably what I would do to make access a bit easier.
It’s a no brainier to be honest, the Clam is coming off. I need as much access to everything. Get that off, and then the Cylinder Head, and work out which way I’m going next.
Let’s be honest, the engine may have to come out - who knows yet.
Luckily my car has been garaged all its life and zero winter use - so it’s coming apart nicely
But as an old bugger of 52, I’m not as lithe as I used to be !
Today’s graft has been tiring.
I hope to have the clam off by the end of the week. I WhatsApp’ my brother this afternoon. ‘ Hey, i need you to help me lift something .
I’m just hoping it (the clam) will fit through my French doors so i can store it inside
Firstly. Many thanks for the kind words of encouragement - so appreciated.
Now I’m getting into this, I’m actually quite enjoying it. I’m no mechanic, but I have a good engineering background. I’ve done a few jobs on the Elise, however nothing as major as this.
It’s actually a well put together car.
Although I’ve tinkered and maintained my cars for the best part of 35 years, this is my first big job in well over a decade. I’ve been really lucky as my cars have only really needed basic maintenance in that time. Obviously what helps, is over all this time, I’ve built up a huge amount of tools. Certainly needed on a job like this.
More progress today, apologies not so many photo’s, I was rather engrossed in my work. This isn’t a boast, but I do consider I’m lucky enough to have a lot of space in my house to store all the parts coming off.
Of which I’m being really careful to bag up and label accordingly. The way I see it, I’ve just got to remove the underfloor / diffuser next - and the clam is ready to come off.
Now I’m getting into this, I’m actually quite enjoying it. I’m no mechanic, but I have a good engineering background. I’ve done a few jobs on the Elise, however nothing as major as this.
It’s actually a well put together car.
Although I’ve tinkered and maintained my cars for the best part of 35 years, this is my first big job in well over a decade. I’ve been really lucky as my cars have only really needed basic maintenance in that time. Obviously what helps, is over all this time, I’ve built up a huge amount of tools. Certainly needed on a job like this.
More progress today, apologies not so many photo’s, I was rather engrossed in my work. This isn’t a boast, but I do consider I’m lucky enough to have a lot of space in my house to store all the parts coming off.
Of which I’m being really careful to bag up and label accordingly. The way I see it, I’ve just got to remove the underfloor / diffuser next - and the clam is ready to come off.
I’m not so sure about you guys? But, I’ve found if you want to get an Expansion Tank back to new, the only way is the Dishwasher. 
Note: if you are married - do whilst the wife is out.
Inlet manifold off this morning. I’m going to spend the afternoon degreasing it and cleaning it up, and label up all parts accordingly.
I’m a bit torn at the moment, I’ve got a new RC model aircraft (another hobby) which I want to be getting ready for flight next week.
I hope you are enjoying the updates. I’m really enjoying working on it
Note: if you are married - do whilst the wife is out.
Inlet manifold off this morning. I’m going to spend the afternoon degreasing it and cleaning it up, and label up all parts accordingly.
I’m a bit torn at the moment, I’ve got a new RC model aircraft (another hobby) which I want to be getting ready for flight next week.
I hope you are enjoying the updates. I’m really enjoying working on it
Evening folks.
Jeez I’m not match fit. I started at 09:00 this morning, I’ve been asleep for a few hours, aching all over! This is not a job for the faint hearted.
Where did your Elise story start? I’ll remember this chapter - that’s for sure.
I’m hoping it’s not as bad as I thought, you can see the obvious failure in in the Head Gasket. And there is a noticeable height in all 4 liners (lip).
I need to measure the liner height with this.
.
I might need to go out for a pint later, it was hard work today in this heat. I’m feeling a bit better about the situation.
Jeez I’m not match fit. I started at 09:00 this morning, I’ve been asleep for a few hours, aching all over! This is not a job for the faint hearted.
Where did your Elise story start? I’ll remember this chapter - that’s for sure.
I’m hoping it’s not as bad as I thought, you can see the obvious failure in in the Head Gasket. And there is a noticeable height in all 4 liners (lip).
I need to measure the liner height with this.
I might need to go out for a pint later, it was hard work today in this heat. I’m feeling a bit better about the situation.
Grrrrrrr! And there was I thinking it was not as bad as first thought - it bloody well is!
Nursing a fairly thumping head after too many, waking up to a house that has Elise bits all over the place
I’m fairly certain the cylinder liner has dropped in number 1 cylinder.
Note the yellow/ brown stains at the bottom left of this photo around combustion chamber of number 1.
Hard to see, as 4 thousands of an inch is minimal, but that is how much the liner should protrude above the the block.
But, you can see in this photo, it’s lower. If I put a straight edge on the liner, you can’t get a 4 thou feeler guage between. I,e there is no gap. The liner is down.[url]
|https://forums-images.pistonheads.com/133323/202506214034212[/url]
These things are sent to try us…
FFS.
Nursing a fairly thumping head after too many, waking up to a house that has Elise bits all over the place
I’m fairly certain the cylinder liner has dropped in number 1 cylinder.
Note the yellow/ brown stains at the bottom left of this photo around combustion chamber of number 1.
Hard to see, as 4 thousands of an inch is minimal, but that is how much the liner should protrude above the the block.
But, you can see in this photo, it’s lower. If I put a straight edge on the liner, you can’t get a 4 thou feeler guage between. I,e there is no gap. The liner is down.[url]
These things are sent to try us…
FFS.
Evening folks, nope, I’ve not given up. However, I put a shout out on another area of the forum last week and got some excellent advice. That’s the great thing about this forum - there is so much experience and knowledge out there. You soon realise it, and it’s so welcome.
I’ve been in touch with a long standing member on here who has given me some excellent advice and help. I’ve not asked him yet if I can mention it, so I won’t out of politeness.
The Cylinder Head is being shipped off to him, to correct. And then,I’m going to concentrate on sorting the block and liner heights.
That is going to result in the sump and oil rail, con rods disconnected over the weekend. How hard can it be?
Tonight I’ve been removing the dowel plugs that locate CH to block. Worth noting that the one near timing belt is also an oil way so needs blocked to prevent swarf dropping into the block. Then it’s tapped out M8, 15 mm socket, long M8 bolt, and just ‘draw it out’.
I applied Gaffer tape to the Head surface to prevent any indentation.
Primer tap with Trefolex, then intermediate and plug. Oil and water galleries blocked off with Gaffer tape.
It’s my RC Model aircraft flying season, luckily tonight it’s too windy to fly. But, I’d rather be doing that. However I need to press on with the Elise.
Failure is not an option!
I’ve been in touch with a long standing member on here who has given me some excellent advice and help. I’ve not asked him yet if I can mention it, so I won’t out of politeness.
The Cylinder Head is being shipped off to him, to correct. And then,I’m going to concentrate on sorting the block and liner heights.
That is going to result in the sump and oil rail, con rods disconnected over the weekend. How hard can it be?
Tonight I’ve been removing the dowel plugs that locate CH to block. Worth noting that the one near timing belt is also an oil way so needs blocked to prevent swarf dropping into the block. Then it’s tapped out M8, 15 mm socket, long M8 bolt, and just ‘draw it out’.
I applied Gaffer tape to the Head surface to prevent any indentation.
Primer tap with Trefolex, then intermediate and plug. Oil and water galleries blocked off with Gaffer tape.
It’s my RC Model aircraft flying season, luckily tonight it’s too windy to fly. But, I’d rather be doing that. However I need to press on with the Elise.
Failure is not an option!
BertBert said:
I think we need to see your plane too!
Evening Bert, which Plane? The one I’m talking to some friends to machine, to help me reduce the deck of my block by a few thou of an inch? Looking forward to that!Or my other planes here.
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