Gunta getting a engine overhaul

Gunta · Post by **Gunta** » Tue Oct 05, 2010 8:21 am

Well its time to overhaul my 7mge. I blew a gasket and I decided to do it myself this time. While taking off the head I discovered that the guys that replaced my head gasket left out one of the head bolts between no 5 and 6. three of the bolts in the middle were loose and the others varied. So I think they just did not know how to use a torque wrench and tightened it with a power bar. The garage owner is a nice guy but knows nothing about engines. I showed him the head and told him what I found. I think the only reason it lasted this long was because I used a cometic metal head gasket with ARP stud bolts. Anyway he has taken the head and will let me know what he is going to do with it. The valves are really loose in 5 and 6 so the whole head will have to be redone. I have taken the block into the engeneers to mic it up and then see what I need to get. It looks OK but if it needs to be rebored I am going to sleeve it and bring it back to standard as the walls are thin between the cylinders and I will only have more heating problems.

I got a quote from gemini spares and a set of pistons with rings is R1500. I should know what is happening with the block on thursday. I have sent in all the manifolds and aluminium pieces to be bead blasted, so it should all look like new when I get it back.

I want to respray the tappet covers or maybe have them powder coated but not sure what colour, so any ideas out there.

I will load some pics as I go along with the overhaul. There are a few niggles that I will fix while the engine is out and I am also going to clean the engine bay and tidy it up a bit.

Traveler · Post by **Traveler** » Tue Oct 05, 2010 8:26 am

Mark good luck with this project.

I'd consider going for a single colour (blue, red, orange, yellow, green) and then doing the hoses in the same colour as well when you powdercoat.

Gunta · Post by **Gunta** » Tue Oct 05, 2010 8:39 am

Thats is exactly what I had in mind. I need to see if I can replace the hoses with silicone hoses and match it to the tapet covers. How will powder coating hold up to pressure washing and general oil?

Traveler · Post by **Traveler** » Tue Oct 05, 2010 9:07 am

If the powdercoating is done properly it will withstand a hammer blow and not peel.

You want me to recommend an approved applier in JHB? Which area?

Insist on using a Ferro powder.

Gunta · Post by **Gunta** » Tue Oct 05, 2010 2:04 pm

Yes please. I know someone in Kya sands, but if you know of someone that does a good job and is not going to charge me a bar of gold that would be great.

Update on my block:
3 of the cylinders are 16 thou over, so I have no option but to rebore.
I am going 30 thou over as 20 thou pistons are more expensive and don't come with rings. The crank looks like new still, even the bearings are still good. So at least the rest of the block is fine. The sieve on the oil pickup was full of silicone (I think the guys at the garage were over zealous with the tube and put most of it on the inside)
Anyway I am getting mains and big end bearings as well and I am balancing the motor as well. So it should be much smoother.
I should get the parts this week and then I will take them to the engeneers to assemble.

Gunta · Post by **Gunta** » Tue Oct 05, 2010 2:39 pm

Anybody know what cc my engine will be with 30 thou oversized pistons and if it will make any difference on power?

Traveler · Post by **Traveler** » Tue Oct 05, 2010 2:42 pm

I'll get you the details on an applicator.

Maddoglips · Post by **Maddoglips** » Tue Oct 05, 2010 3:05 pm

Mark

Sounding like you having fun

Good luck with the rebuild, I don't doubt it'll be a better job then done by the previous blokes

Back to more serioius stuff though, give us some pics of the lovely Lappa area you working under there

Definately the nicest garage roof I've seen, is the braai bhind you there aswell?

Keep the pics coming.

Zane

Gunta · Post by **Gunta** » Tue Oct 05, 2010 3:43 pm

Thanks Zane, it is at my dads house, my garage does not have the height to use a block and tackle. I am going to do the swirl tank as well. Thanks for the parts chum I really appreciate it.

Gunta · Post by **Gunta** » Tue Oct 12, 2010 8:01 am

Anyone know where I can get a Cometic head gasket?

Mr_B · Post by **Mr_B** » Tue Oct 12, 2010 9:31 am

Give Hoppy(Alan) a call, I know he organised one for Luke's 7M... 072 129 1160...

Gunta · Post by **Gunta** » Tue Oct 12, 2010 9:54 am

Thanks Mr B

Gunta · Post by **Gunta** » Mon Nov 01, 2010 11:01 am

Just and update. Engine is back with new pistons and the whole works.
I eventually bought the orriginal clutch fork fro the 7mge because the 22R is to long and requires spacers between the slave cylinder and the bell housing. Got a new radiator and did major work on the wiring which looked like a dead mossie's nest. Will load some pics soon.
Had the tappet covers painted Orange and the writing in black. It looks wicked. Got the motor in and torqued the head down to 120nm with the cometic gasket (imported it because I could not find one locally). I will re torque it on the weekend before I start putting the last bits together.

Gunta · Post by **Gunta** » Mon Nov 01, 2010 2:54 pm

The Head was not in a very good condition so I changed it. I think it was skimmed once to many times. Unfortunately the one I have put in now is not gas flowed, but was in mint condition. I had the spare thankfully. I also balanced the motor so it should be a lot smoother through the rev range.
I had to order new bolts that hold the gearbox to the engine, because the previous hill billies that worked on the clutch lost them and used shorter bolts with a course thread. Garages like this should not be allowed to stay in business. Its only when you do it yourself that you find the short cuts these guys take. I have fixed quite a few things now that I had expected to be done and paid good money to have done.
Anyway enough B@#tching. It is looking good now and I should have it together by the weekend if nothing else comes up. Will load some more pics soon.

Spartan · Post by **Spartan** » Mon Nov 01, 2010 9:11 pm

Now I understand why I never head from you

Gunta · Post by **Gunta** » Tue Nov 02, 2010 7:27 am

Sorry Jaco, will make a plan to come and see you as soon as I am mobile again.

Maddoglips · Post by **Maddoglips** » Tue Nov 02, 2010 8:56 am

Mark

Sounding good M8

But Remeber

NONE of this ever happend with out us seeing the pics

Keep us posted.

Zane

Post by **pietpetoors** » Tue Nov 02, 2010 10:11 am

What was the milage on the engine?

It is always a good idea to replace the oil pump while the engine is open and if you can sommer replace the water pump as well while you are busy with it.

Gunta · Post by **Gunta** » Tue Nov 02, 2010 11:08 am

Agreed. New oil pump, radiator, engine mounts, clutch, hoses, belts and water pump fitted. The only thing I haven't changed is the block, even the paint is new. Spent about 15k so far and the labour is mine. This is a pic of the block in place.

Post by **pietpetoors** » Tue Nov 02, 2010 11:21 am

Is there a reason why you prefer to assemble it in the vehicle?

Gunta · Post by **Gunta** » Tue Nov 02, 2010 11:40 am

I assembled the block outside the engine bay, but I cant get the engine in with the head on as the space is very small. So it was easier to put the block in first and then put the head on afterwards.

Post by **pietpetoors** » Tue Nov 02, 2010 2:59 pm

Make sense

Gunta · Post by **Gunta** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 7:22 am

This was my birds nest before I cut it all out and moved my fuse box and dual battery system to the right hand side. This took me longer than I thought, but I have put in new wires and heat shrink.

Post by **Mud Dog** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 9:12 am

Sjoe! That does look like a mess! So much better to work in there if everything is neat and tidy!

Gunta · Post by **Gunta** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 2:36 pm

Starting to get there now. Had to buy a M10 tap with a 1.25 thread to re tap the holes for the exhaust studs as well. Wiring pretty much done. Once the manifolds are back on I will tidy up the last few wires.

Mr_B · Post by **Mr_B** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 3:41 pm

Must say the orange tappet covers look great!

Gunta · Post by **Gunta** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 3:50 pm

Thanks Mr B

Post by **Mud Dog** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 4:08 pm

Yeah!

... Definitely looking a whole lot better than the 'birds nest' pic!

Maddoglips · Post by **Maddoglips** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 4:29 pm

Mark

Really looking good M8, can't wait to see the finished pics.

Gunta · Post by **Gunta** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 11:04 am

Update: CO'S were completely out. Was reading at 6.5 at idle and off the chart at high revs on the dyno. Motor is super smooth being balanced and all. Power on the wheels is 82kw up on the reef and 167nm. 90% available at 1500rpm. Will load some pics.

Spartan · Post by **Spartan** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 9:45 pm

Gunta wrote:Update: CO'S were completely out. Was reading at 6.5 at idle and off the chart at high revs on the dyno. Motor is super smooth being balanced and all. Power on the wheels is 82kw up on the reef and 167nm. 90% available at 1500rpm. Will load some pics.

Wat is die beste op n power run?

Gunta · Post by **Gunta** » Fri Nov 12, 2010 7:38 am

Here is a before and after pic as well as the dyno run. Dyno's vary, depending on who does it. My engine was making 82kw before as well with a gas flowed head. I have a standard head now, but the motor is balanced. Surprisingly the motor stayed the same. The only time it was over 95kw was on the dyno at gotech. Also bearing in mind I took out the Dictator and put in the standard ECU. I am very happy with it now.

Jaco have you had yours on the dyno yet?

Spartan · Post by **Spartan** » Fri Nov 12, 2010 9:43 pm

Gunta wrote:Jaco have you had yours on the dyno yet?

Nog nie sal een van die dae n power-run gaan doen dan sal ek jou se wat maak hy

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Fri Nov 12, 2010 9:51 pm

Spartan wrote:
Gunta wrote:Jaco have you had yours on the dyno yet?
Nog nie sal een van die dae n power-run gaan doen dan sal ek jou se wat maak hy

Ek's seker hy maak wroem, wroem....

Rebel 4x4 · Post by **Rebel 4x4** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 7:58 am

Gunta wrote:This was my birds nest before I cut it all out and moved my fuse box and dual battery system to the right hand side. This took me longer than I thought, but I have put in new wires and heat shrink.

Lyk soos 'n ontploffing in 'n spaghetti factory

Gunta · Post by **Gunta** » Mon Nov 15, 2010 7:06 am

Lyk soos 'n ontploffing in 'n spaghetti factory[/quote]

It was bad, just short of the meat balls.

Gunta · Post by **Gunta** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 11:38 am

I have done almost 1000km now and my fuel consumption is just on 7km/l which is way better than 5.2km/l with the Dicktator.
I am very chuffed now.

Traveler · Post by **Traveler** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 11:57 am

Mark, it is looking very good indeed. Reason to be proud.

Gunta · Post by **Gunta** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 1:29 pm

Thanks Heinrich

Maddoglips · Post by **Maddoglips** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 3:55 pm

Mark

Good job

Glad you managed to come right with the OE parts.

Gunta · Post by **Gunta** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 4:39 pm

Thanks Zane, my project that I busy with now is that swirl tank. I am just trying to find the best place to put it where it is out of harms way.

Spartan · Post by **Spartan** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 7:55 pm

Gunta wrote:now is that swirl tank. I am just trying to find the best place to put it where it is out of harms way.

Ek het jou gese jy moet kom kuier dan wys ek jou waar moet jy dit sit

Gunta · Post by **Gunta** » Thu Nov 18, 2010 7:10 am

Thanks Jaco, I will make a plan and come see you.