Since the last post, much has changed with the kit build - the engine is in!!! Not jumping ahead too much as there were a few jobs that needed doing before this could 'just' happen. First job was to connect up the gearbox to the engine so it was more or less ready to drop; once the two had been pushed together, this was quite a simple task and when finished looked quite impressive!
I've also connected up the fuel filler pipe and the registration plate bulb. In addition to this I also changed the rear brake piping, think this might be the 3rd time but I'm finally happy with this! Makes the rear end look so much better.
Other little jobs like giving the engine a clean, removing the old oil filter and fitting the gearbox mount needed to be completed before the engine could go in. I had opted not to purchase the GBS gearbox mount as I had a perfectly good one from the Sierra; the prep of the mount had a slow start but once I cracked how to remove one the old Sierra rivets it was fine.
So all jobs done it was time to start on the lifting and positioning. I was lucky enough to have Mike round to help me with this task - not something that could have been done by 1 person! So on Saturday 4th February we started around 9.30am and by 11am, the engine was lowered in but the gearbox wasn't fitting properly. Again this is another stage in the build where some guidance (or a manual) would be useful from GBS. The issue we had was that the starter motor casing was pressing against the side of the chassis, so after a coffee and then the realisation that we had crushed the steering shaft (oops!) we opted to phone GBS; 30 seconds later I had my answer. Screaming in frustration it's clear - GBS we need a manual!!!!!!!!!
Once the gearbox had been cut, we reconnected it back up to the engine and lowered it all back into the car. So much easier when doing it for a second time!! This picture shows the engine supported by the engine mounts and the gearbox loosely attached to the gearbox mount. The crane is still in position as I would need to lift it slightly when fitting the engine mounts properly as we had run out of time.
This is how the engine sat until today (11th February) when I found the time to bolt it in properly. I also fitted my new steering shaft, this one is straight and can't have the engine lowered onto it! I have a few days off work coming up, the plan is to attach up the ancillaries. However I have doubts over the Sierra alternator, might be too big - I'll find out soon enough...
