Oxford build

[oxford1360]

Well, I bolted-on the sump (gasket, sealant and 15 bolts) and put the engine upright. Shall I drop in the tappets or put tape over the tappet wells? No, I'll fit the head studs. And, I'll drop a nut down no. 7.

But, not all was lost. I could see it sitting on the camshaft. I stuck my finger in the fuel pump aperture and got the nut on my index finger. Phew. Then I started to withdraw my finger and clunk, clunk, ching. A nut in the sump. What a tw*t.

I did think for a moment that I could get to it through the drain plug but no. Too big. I did a Basil Fawlty and squatted down with my forearms over my head.

I shall whip off the sump when I have 20 minutes to kill.

As I said, schoolboy error.

[Nike55]

Zank you fur being open und honest viz us today, mien Herr Oxford 1360. I'm zure sillier things huv happened to our esteemed 'threaders' on zis vorum.

Now, lie back on ze couch, take a deep breath and azk yourself: 'Vy did I vant to stick my finger in the fuel pumpf aperture?'

'..and perhaps you could elaborate a leedle on vy you vish to vhip the Zumpf to death..?

(sorry.)

[Viatron]

dont feel bad spent an hour last night wondering why the battery on Mrs Mac's Mg wouldnt charge until i spotted the little lamp on the charger that told me i had the clamps on the wrong way round!!

[Mister Towed]

Originally Posted by oxford1360

I shall whip off the sump when I have 20 minutes to kill.

Do it. Do it now. Or you'll forget, finish the car, fire up the engine and...

[oxford1360]

Don't worry, T, I have decided it is my next job. Fortunately, I have several thousand packs of gaskets that came with the donor spares package.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by oxford1360

...I feel like I am running through treacle at the moment. There is progress on the non-critical path (my pretentious name for small jobs that will be of value later in the build), but real advances seem to take forever...

I know exactly what you mean.

But on the plus side, everyone on here thinks you will have built one of the nicest Sammios around when it is finished.

Good luck, Paul.

[oxford1360]

Originally Posted by Nike55

Zank you fur being open und honest viz us today, mien Herr Oxford 1360. I'm zure sillier things huv happened to our esteemed 'threaders' on zis vorum.

Now, lie back on ze couch, take a deep breath and azk yourself: 'Vy did I vant to stick my finger in the fuel pumpf aperture?'

'..and perhaps you could elaborate a leedle on vy you vish to vhip the Zumpf to death..?

(sorry.)

Crikey, is that an hour already? Can I come back next week? I have so much Sammio baggage to get off my chest.

[Nike55]

Originally Posted by oxford1360

I have so much Sammio baggage to get off my chest.

..don't we all!

[oxford1360]

Mr T, here is the offending article........

But, but, but.........this little cloud had a silver lining. As I was undoing the sump bolts I noticed the dip-stick hole.......and I realised that I had not made a hole in the sump baffle for the dip-stick to pass through. So, much better that I realise now rather than when the engine and box are sitting in the chassis.

I had a good four hours today down at The Glade. The engine is together. Tomorrow it will get a coat of green and I shall add some pics.

[Mister Towed]

Surely you could've just pushed a suitably long drill bit down the old dip stick tube and drilled the hole in your baffle without removing the sump. Sort of keyhole surgery for Sammios. Simple, huh?

What's that? Swarf you say. Hmm, hadn't thought of that...

[froggyman]

Originally Posted by Mister Towed

Surely you could've just pushed a suitably long drill bit down the old dip stick tube and drilled the hole in your baffle without removing the sump. Sort of keyhole surgery for Sammios. Simple, huh?

What's that? Swarf you say. Hmm, hadn't thought of that...

No! The simplest way would have been to shorten the dipstick enough for it sit nicely in the block. Who checks their oil anyway!

[WorldClassAccident]

If he drilled upwards through the bottom of the sump the swarf would be washed away as the oil gushed out. Problem solved!

[Mister Towed]

No! The simplest solution of all is to run a 'dry sump' engine by, erm, emptying the oil out and running without it.

Think about it: no more surging on high G turns; no more irksome oil changes; no more black spots on the brick-weave for the wife to moan about. What could be simpler or more effective?

[oxford1360]

Just popping down to The Glade to apply all these ideas. The dry sump will be excellent - no surge, and plenty of money saving on oil and filters.

Any tips on running a dry rad?

[WorldClassAccident]

A dry rad might overheat the engine causing bubbles in the paint work if you haven't checked for voids first

[Viatron]

I think if you run dry sump and dry rad youll end up with voids in the block
:-0

[oxford1360]

I've run the heat gun over the engine and the gearbox (more savings on oil) and there were no bubbles. I'm going for it.

[Nike55]

Originally Posted by oxford1360

I've run the heat gun over the engine and the gearbox (more savings on oil) and there were no bubbles. I'm going for it.

...a dull 'whump' was heard as the engine burst into flame, shortly followed by the unmistakable rustle of a voided insurance policy...leaving a large hole in a bank account.

[oxford1360]

If the EU wants greener engines, they can have them......and especially after the second coat.

Ancillaries to go on this week (Tuesday?), and as soon as I get my flywheel back from having its new starter ring fitted I can bolt on the gearbox. Then will come the ceremony of dropping them into the chassis. Possibly next weekend......and then I can start building a bl**dy Sammio.

The eagle-eyed among you will notice the fuel-pump blanking plate (from Rimmers). I shall be using an electric pump.

[mikmiglia]

That looks the nuts mate, i am realy liking your colour choice mate.