Hold(en) my beer - Monaro, Ute and Commodore content
Discussion
5harp3y said:
fair play!
i need to stop complaining about being able to work on my car in a single garage after seeing all that!
Cheers i need to stop complaining about being able to work on my car in a single garage after seeing all that!
To be fair, it's a reasonably long garage, about 5.5m I think, so with the front bumper off there's room to have the crane sideways in front of the car which has been helpful! Just had to push it back to be able to rotate the crane around, and then back again to be able to shut the garage door
Also, used an offcut of old carpet from a bedroom to lay across the floor. This has made it infinitely nicer to 'work' in there, and also means you can just pop in there barefoot as it feels more like part of the house so you're more inclined to "just do this little bit" which inevitably leads to 3 hours of spannering and ruining another pair of jeans...
It's reasonably wide as well, in so far as you can sort of fold yourself under the car or roll a trolley jack down one side and there are shelves down one side, it's doable either way, and am fully taking over the 'utility room' as a workshop now, will be making an unnecessary second downstairs toilet into the new utility room so I can have some tool chests and get plenty of shelves up and things, taking cars to bits seems to produce a lot of 'stuff' that takes up space.
Got the engine on the stand and stripped off a few bits, rolled it around to get all the coolant / oil out etc
The guts
Covered it in wd40 and left it dripping overnight, then this lunch time have given it a further few rolls and wiped down, seems to mostly have stopped dripping now and has a layer of wd40 over most of it
Obviously now it basically weighs nothing, so was able to just lift it up the step at each end into the utility room ready to be further dismantled.
I'm also taking this opportunity to familiarise myself with how it feels to rotate by hand and those sorts of things just to get a bit of a feel for how it was OEM after 70,000 miles, all a learning experience
The guts
Covered it in wd40 and left it dripping overnight, then this lunch time have given it a further few rolls and wiped down, seems to mostly have stopped dripping now and has a layer of wd40 over most of it
Obviously now it basically weighs nothing, so was able to just lift it up the step at each end into the utility room ready to be further dismantled.
I'm also taking this opportunity to familiarise myself with how it feels to rotate by hand and those sorts of things just to get a bit of a feel for how it was OEM after 70,000 miles, all a learning experience
Some more progress last night, pistons out, crank position sensor and a remaining knock sensor out, cam chain guide off, really now just the couple of drain plugs to remove and it's good to go to get cleaned, machined and painted.
Block is really light now
As I haven't used the ring compressor tool before, or installed pistons before, I'll probably reinstall a couple of them just to practice before the real bits go in after it's been machined etc...
Also going to practice measuring the rod bearing clearances, crank thrust etc. as further practice whilst it's together.
As for the other two cars, wagon is used for tesco runs and that's been it this month as I'm working from home, Ute hasn't seen the road for a while, have SORNed it at the moment as it isn't being used.
Have rented a Skoda convertible too not that those jokes make much sense any more, but back when this was all trees as far as the eye could see etc...
Block is really light now
As I haven't used the ring compressor tool before, or installed pistons before, I'll probably reinstall a couple of them just to practice before the real bits go in after it's been machined etc...
Also going to practice measuring the rod bearing clearances, crank thrust etc. as further practice whilst it's together.
As for the other two cars, wagon is used for tesco runs and that's been it this month as I'm working from home, Ute hasn't seen the road for a while, have SORNed it at the moment as it isn't being used.
Have rented a Skoda convertible too
not that those jokes make much sense any more, but back when this was all trees as far as the eye could see etc... Jader1973 said:
Has the sunroof still not been fixed?
Nope, absolute pisspot affair. Sunroof place seemingly gave up on chasing their supplier and suggested I phone them... So I have a number to phone now to waste time chasing someone else who may or may not actually have the sunroof.
As it's lockdown and not getting used I'm not chasing it at the moment as it was just pissing me off with what a joke the entire situation was, as soon as the first appointment was missed months ago I joked to a friend it'll blatantly be dragged out until we're back in a lockdown again, annoyingly I appear to have been right.
It may settle a bit and the driveway does slope downwards, but it really does need about a 10mm drop at the front I think just to even out the arch gap...
My god those 19s were heavy though!
I'm not 100% sure on the black against the blue, but I'm in no rush to change them about as they've just been refurbed and are immaculate.
I only know of one other set of Simmons wheels in the UK too which is cool
Sheila looking awesome as always but really making Skippy look like an SUV of some sort
My god those 19s were heavy though!
I'm not 100% sure on the black against the blue, but I'm in no rush to change them about as they've just been refurbed and are immaculate.
I only know of one other set of Simmons wheels in the UK too which is cool
Sheila looking awesome as always but really making Skippy look like an SUV of some sort
Edited by SturdyHSV on Saturday 28th November 14:44
SturdyHSV said:
Nope, absolute pisspot affair.
Sunroof place seemingly gave up on chasing their supplier and suggested I phone them... So I have a number to phone now to waste time chasing someone else who may or may not actually have the sunroof.
As it's lockdown and not getting used I'm not chasing it at the moment as it was just pissing me off with what a joke the entire situation was, as soon as the first appointment was missed months ago I joked to a friend it'll blatantly be dragged out until we're back in a lockdown again, annoyingly I appear to have been right.
grrr..... I wondered what had happened to the Big Esky, correction, Skippy. Sunroof place seemingly gave up on chasing their supplier and suggested I phone them... So I have a number to phone now to waste time chasing someone else who may or may not actually have the sunroof.
As it's lockdown and not getting used I'm not chasing it at the moment as it was just pissing me off with what a joke the entire situation was, as soon as the first appointment was missed months ago I joked to a friend it'll blatantly be dragged out until we're back in a lockdown again, annoyingly I appear to have been right.
Janosh said:
Nice find with the wheels.. are they BMW fitment or did they come off another HSV?
I’ve been thinking about changing the heavy OEM wheels for years, but there’s not much choice. Do you notice any difference in the handling?
They're off a VF Commodore, haven't driven anywhere to offer any handling insight yet, plus change in tyres and so on so a comparison will be pretty unscientific at best I imagine I’ve been thinking about changing the heavy OEM wheels for years, but there’s not much choice. Do you notice any difference in the handling?
Edited by Janosh on Monday 30th November 10:36
If you check out TempeTyres website in Aus, they take pictures and organise them for all the wheels they fit, so if you wanted to see a set of 22s fitted to a Clubbie, that's the place to go
Practiced taking measurements with the micrometer, circled 2 had a bit of wear apparent on the journal
Practiced reinstalling a couple of pistons just to get a feel for the process, then got on with pulling out the main caps and crank. Nice and simple process, measured the thrust bearing clearance as between 0.004"-0.005" mostly just to get a practice run at measuring it.
Block is now all stripped down so will book it in to get acid dipped and honed before painting chevy orange
In much more boring news, Ute battery is on charge, checked wheel nuts on the wagon, checked oil on both of them, hoovered out the back of the wagon after the dog had been in there, and resolved one of the sources of a very slight 'rattle' which was simply the back seat latches having some play in.
Put some masking tape around the metal rod to take up the slack in the latch, no more seat movement. Also put some foam around the back of the rear number plate as that could rattle against the boot lid. As the car is so quiet then these tiny noises are noticeable, I'm quite tempted to go down the route of making the wagon as quiet as possible over time (inside), it'd be a nice contrast to the other 2 to try and make it more refined...
It needs lowering though, just a touch, but the wheels look great in person, perhaps a little more sidewall is needed, certainly on the back, but a slight drop would help even out the arch gap and really finish off the 'stance' of the car I think
Having commuted a bit post lockdown, in terrible weather, I think it rides better on these wheels despite the drop in sidewall. The handling I've not had much opportunity to explore, it may feel a touch more nimble, but it was on dogs
t tyres on the 19s and the mixed batch of rubber on the 20s is hardly representative either...
One thing it certainly does is truffle around following road cambers more than before. I'm really interested to see how it feels with some Michelins on, I'll up the profile a touch on the rear at least, the speedo overreads by a bit currently so a slightly higher profile may bring it closer to reality and for me will help beef up the rear end, it looks a bit rubber band tyres at the back at the moment which I'm not a fan of.
Top end for the Monaro stroker is on its way from the US within the next few days
Practiced reinstalling a couple of pistons just to get a feel for the process, then got on with pulling out the main caps and crank. Nice and simple process, measured the thrust bearing clearance as between 0.004"-0.005" mostly just to get a practice run at measuring it.
Block is now all stripped down so will book it in to get acid dipped and honed before painting chevy orange
In much more boring news, Ute battery is on charge, checked wheel nuts on the wagon, checked oil on both of them, hoovered out the back of the wagon after the dog had been in there, and resolved one of the sources of a very slight 'rattle' which was simply the back seat latches having some play in.
Put some masking tape around the metal rod to take up the slack in the latch, no more seat movement. Also put some foam around the back of the rear number plate as that could rattle against the boot lid. As the car is so quiet then these tiny noises are noticeable, I'm quite tempted to go down the route of making the wagon as quiet as possible over time (inside), it'd be a nice contrast to the other 2 to try and make it more refined...
It needs lowering though, just a touch, but the wheels look great in person, perhaps a little more sidewall is needed, certainly on the back, but a slight drop would help even out the arch gap and really finish off the 'stance' of the car I think
Having commuted a bit post lockdown, in terrible weather, I think it rides better on these wheels despite the drop in sidewall. The handling I've not had much opportunity to explore, it may feel a touch more nimble, but it was on dogs
t tyres on the 19s and the mixed batch of rubber on the 20s is hardly representative either... One thing it certainly does is truffle around following road cambers more than before. I'm really interested to see how it feels with some Michelins on, I'll up the profile a touch on the rear at least, the speedo overreads by a bit currently so a slightly higher profile may bring it closer to reality and for me will help beef up the rear end, it looks a bit rubber band tyres at the back at the moment which I'm not a fan of.
Top end for the Monaro stroker is on its way from the US within the next few days
Looks like I'll 'have' to go for these once funds allow.
https://g8only.com/product/hr-coil-over-system/
Only height adjustable which is all I need, someone who has tried a few sets settled on them as they're actually comfortable for road use which is what I want.
https://g8only.com/product/hr-coil-over-system/
Only height adjustable which is all I need, someone who has tried a few sets settled on them as they're actually comfortable for road use which is what I want.
Sunroof replacement is booked in with Autoroofs in Leicester for Monday morning!
They are actually the supplier and have them in stock, long story short the nearest 'dealer' that was taking so long had never fitted a sunroof and Autoroofs didn't want to send them the sunroof (which they have to pay for upfront) because then the 'dealer' would be doing the warranty work and thus claiming back the money etc.
Anyway, all booked in now, by Monday afternoon I should hopefully have a roof on my wagon at last!
Thanks to the recommendation of a colleague, the Monaro block is going to Knight Engine Services tomorrow before work to be cleaned, bores flex honed and cam bearings replaced. Will be all shiny and ready to hang on the Christmas tree
Great people to deal with and only 20 minutes from me so ideal. Shiny bare block porn will be incoming for sure
They are actually the supplier and have them in stock, long story short the nearest 'dealer' that was taking so long had never fitted a sunroof and Autoroofs didn't want to send them the sunroof (which they have to pay for upfront) because then the 'dealer' would be doing the warranty work and thus claiming back the money etc.
Anyway, all booked in now, by Monday afternoon I should hopefully have a roof on my wagon at last!
Thanks to the recommendation of a colleague, the Monaro block is going to Knight Engine Services tomorrow before work to be cleaned, bores flex honed and cam bearings replaced. Will be all shiny and ready to hang on the Christmas tree
Great people to deal with and only 20 minutes from me so ideal. Shiny bare block porn will be incoming for sure
Took the day off work and went to Autoroofs in Leicester yesterday. Lovely bunch, very helpful, alas despite having the serial number Webasto had sent them the wrong size sunroof, a 740, Autoroofs had a 735 in stock by coincidence but alas, it's the 730 that was needed (the 730 corresponding to the width unsurprisingly)
So the plastic hat was re-taped down and back home I went 3 hours later.
What a fking shambles.
So the plastic hat was re-taped down and back home I went 3 hours later.
What a f
king shambles.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff