what can an engine be fitted with???

[Dean]

Hello

after getting one step closer to getting my car on the road.
i finally today got my engine running out of the car, and run it for 20 minutes to bed in the cam. everything was fine ish, and i was glad i did test run it out the car
so my next step is to drop in in the car. and i just seeing if i can save time and make life easy if i can fit certain parts, but limit to chances of damagin my paint tho!!!!

i am using a freeflow manifold and a remote box, as the mainfold runs close to the back of the gearbox,can it be fitted to the engine before dropping it in, also including the carb and inlet. it looks like it may fit but be tight, but it could mean a lot of damage to the paint.

what else is best to fit before hand to save time and make life easier , but i also want to limit any damage to the paint.

thanks Dean

[swifty]

If dropping the engine in through the top you can certainly fit the freeflow manifold and inlet . At least this way you can be sure of a decent seal against the head ...... Ken

[ianh1968]

If you have pot joints, you need to be able to swing the engine
from side to side to get them both in.

... I would UN-fit the clutch cover/housing...

Once you have the engine hanging there and the pots inserted,
put the cover on and finally lower the engine into position.

If you are worried about scratching paint, how about getting hold
of some old bits of carpet to gaffer tape in various positions?

Ian

[timmy201]

The biggest thing I think is getting the angle right so it goes right in.

Having put mine together in the past few weeks I didn't find it too tricky getting the Freeflow manifold on after the engine was in, before the engine mounts are on you get more wiggle room.

[1071 S]

Must admit I've not ever thought of removing the clutch cover...

I just undo the top ball joints which allows the hubs to flop outwards pulling the inner part of the pot joint clear. Once the engine is in place you just lift the hubs up and slide the pJs into place.

A few pieces of corrugated cardboard makes a good liner for the inner wings/firewall...

Cheers, Ian

[mk1]

I have also never left the clutch cover off. Never had any problems fitting pot joints with it on. I am not a great believer in leaving "stuff" on the engine when fitting it. I'm definitely a lift the basic unit in & add all ancillaries once its in. I would never consider leaving a load of stuff on to catch & scrape.

However, I am prepared to concede that this could be a hangover from the days when I lifted engines in by hand, when loosing as much weight as possible before the big lift was essential. Now I use a lift It may not be so.

[ianh1968]

I've never had a problem with manifolds...
... but then I always take all the studs out before I drop
the manifold in place, then put the studs back in afterwards.

Sometimes (Most times) if you have to crowbar the manifold
over the studs, this is when any damage/swearing will occur.
This will normally knacker up the studs and make it hard to
get the nuts on. Any damage on my studs is sorted out with
either a 5/16" UNF die, or else a thread chaser file BEFORE
they are fitted.

I use stainless studs, made to the minimum length needed,
and also stainless nuts. I always use normal (LM) grease
and can ALWAYS put the nuts almost fully on with my fingers.
More importantly, I can ALWAYS get them off again with my
fingers once they have been loosened with a spanner.

If the clutch cover is left on, the minimum I would consider
would be to take the actuation arm off before trying to drop
the engine in. It tends to foul up on the throttle cable and
other things if it's left on there.

... and it's also easier to put the speedo cable on whilst the
engine is "floating"!

Ian

[Dr S]

Cooper Freeflow will drop in after fitting, studs in, engine mounts done up and bonnet on!

You might want the dog bone off to give yourself a rock. (Not a euphemism).

[Dean]

thanks for all your replies

i have now dropped the engine in, it was tight but it did go ok, few bits of cardboard here and there,had to roll the engine up a bit more to let it drop down better, not nothing out the norm. and all in with out any missing paint.

i have fitted many A series engines, but i have a ported out head and using for the moment a mini spares inlet, where the ports are smaller, so having it fitted with the inlet out the car made like easy to line it up with no gap for air leaks.

i did use mini spares engine mounts ( not the budget ones) , and after hearing bad things about things not lining up, i can say these were very good and lined up straight away with no problems so would recommend,

i have never removed the clutch cover, but is a good idea to give you that extra bit of room to avoid damaging the inner wing.

i am using hardy spicer joints so they were easily fitted afterwards,

i have leant to fit the speedo cable as the engine goes in.

but thanks for all your tips.

[1071 S]

Would really like to hear a description of how you are now going to fit the radiator..

IMHO that's the worst part. I always attach it to the engine (and do up the lower hose clamps) before installation.

If there's an alternative I'm all ears.

Cheers, Ian

[Andrew1967]

Thats looks great Dean, wonderful colour car

With the rad shroud, I think the fan will have to come off, slip the rad in with the bottom shroud attached, refit the fan and then the top shroud.

That's how I've always done it. It's a struggle but not impossible.

As Ian says, its the worst part of the refit.

[swifty]

I can never get why people think it's so hard to fit a rad in . I modify the the bottom cowling first by cutting a little square piece out so the rad bottom hose can pass through . First I fit the fan . Next the bottom cowling so it's bolted in loose . Then slot the rad down passing the bottom pipe through the cut out . Fit two bottom rad cowling bolts into rad , then top cowling . ..... Ken

[Dean]

andrew, i don't know if you remember me meeting you a beaulieu about 7 years ago talking about your car after posting in on the MCR about mine when i was just about to start to restore it.
well fingers crossed, i will be bring it to beaulieu this year, and the first time the car has been on the road in 40 years !!!!

i have already modified my top cowl by turning the bottom holes into slots.

but i will also look at doing the little cut out in the bottom cowl to make things easier, i should be fitting that today. so i well see how it goes .

Dean

[Dr S]

Depends on the rad. I took me all day to get my old super 4 core in, the new race spec 3 core from minispares went in under an an hour with no mods to the shroud.

The new one is approx 3/4'' narrower which helps a lot!

[Dean]

i have a mini spares performance 2 core rad ( C-ARA4442 )

swifty your tip worked a treat, the only difference is i fitted the lower hose after the rad was in.
i had always heard about fitting a rad to a mk1 being a pain, but to be honest, it went really well, no cut fingers, no loss of any paint , just took my time and went care fully, the worse bit was doing up the lower rad bracket bolts as to can only turn them a little bit at a time

but without and little mods, ( which are not seen when fitted) i can see it being a bit harder.

[swifty]

Glad that went well dean . I probably didn't explain it to well .... Ken

[Andrew1967]

andrew, i don't know if you remember me meeting you a beaulieu about 7 years ago talking about your car after posting in on the MCR about mine when i was just about to start to restore it.
well fingers crossed, i will be bring it to beaulieu this year, and the first time the car has been on the road in 40 years !!!!

i have already modified my top cowl by turning the bottom holes into slots.

but i will also look at doing the little cut out in the bottom cowl to make things easier, i should be fitting that today. so i well see how it goes .

Dean

Yes, I do vaguely remember talking to you, must have been the first year I took the 'S' to Beaulieu since its build. Great to hear of and see another car coming back to life

Glad you got the rad in and Kens mods sound a good way to get over the usual fitting hassles. I guess I must like doing things the hard way !! One to remember for when I rebuild my 998 Cooper. Luckily the pick-up has no inner wing shroud so fitting the rad is much easier.

Andrew