Refitting the Engine Bay
I decided to refit the engine from under the car. I've fitted quite a few mini engines over the years and I have always gone from top down with a hoist or a block & tackle. I still have the block, but I don't have a joist to hang it from in this place. So logically (to me) i thought I'd fit the engine to the sub frame first and then just jack the car up and slide it under the wheel arch. You may be suprised to know that it really is that easy.
So.... one engine bay
I put some old wheels on the back and put the handbrake on, then jacked up the car until I could get the engine under the wing.
I had my son helping me (hence an arm in the shot above), but you can do this single handed if your engine is on a trolley. The carb was removed, and the alternator was loosened off so it was closer to the block.
Thats the engine in. Doddle. I have a new uprated radiator to fit to it, I don't intend fitting an electric fan.
Fixing the wiring was a bit of a challenge. Old tat was removed and new soldered connections were needed. The damage seems to have been caused by badly fitted extra lights, the fuse box was burnt out...
and the wiring was a bit of a mess...so a new box was bought
and after swapping it over, I'm at a bit of a loss as to what all the duff in-line fuses are.
Not that I'm lazy....but why take wiring diagrams when you can just look back at the pictures you have taken while doing the initial strip down.. You see the new radiator is fitted now also.
Using the correct colour wire I repaired the loom with solder and shrink wrap then re-wrapped it in tape..
Also fitted a new plate under the hydraulic cylinders (the one the engine mount attaches too) and the exhaust down pipes.
Servo and clutch pots added . I didn't paint them, I just cleaned them up. I quite like the "lived in" look.
Eventually finished the loom, it's in good condition now.
Original carb re-fitted, but with a K&N..
Then bleed the fuids with a Gunson's "Easy Bleed"....the gentleman's choice for hydraulic fluid bleeding when your wife won't press the pedal for you...
Done!