All of the stuff in the last blog was a bit of a distraction from the main task which needs to be progressed, that of getting the crankshaft bearings sorted so that the engine re-assembly can commence. Another key task is replacing the cylinder liners. One of these had been removed some time ago and this has been used as a sample to order some replacements.
The old liners were very secure in the block, and only after Mike's Dad's big hydraulic puller had turned up did they finally succumb with a "pop". The look of apprehension on Chris ‘Rimmer’ Barry’s face says it all:
A view down the water way of the empty block is akin to looking down the nave of a Norman cathedral. (The water pump mounts on to the stubs in the foreground):
This lovely cardboard box contains the replacement studs to re-assemble the block/crankcase, and also to fit the bearings. They have a metric fine thread; the engine is British made but metric, reflecting its German heritage:
Earle & Ed Ford cleaning out the threads before a trial fit of the studs:
With the stubs re-fitted the block was briefly re-mounted on the crank case, giving a false impression that progress is being made:
After some debate with the Boston Lodge staff, a decision has been taken that getting the crankshaft bearings white-metalled and re-bored to Diesel engine tolerances would be better arranged as an outside contract. So the big bits of the engine have been palleted up and dispatched to Formhalls, a specialist vintage & racing engine restorer, who has also been tasked with fitting the liners and re-metalling the big ends. Crank case and pistons are on this pallet:
Crankshaft, engine block and cylinder liners are on this one. The studs and bearings are in there too somewhere:
If you’re thinking, wow, when that comes back all the big bits will be together, don’t!
There is quite a bit of cleaning up to do when it returns, particularly of all of the oilway runs. But significant re-assembly is approaching.
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