(2-16-2008) - The Great White Lump Lives!!!

How do you like the look of the old motor? Terrible to think what this car has been through.

Part 1: On Friday the 15th, Flash finished installing the motor. We started it up and it sounded great, but after warming up the valve train began to make terrible noise and the engine started missing. We feared that the engine had jumped time and that the valves had crashed into the pistons. We checked the timing (no problem) and finally closed the shop and talked it out, over a drink.

Part 2: Flash came back on Saturday, fired up the engine, and it all sounded great, again. Until it was warm, then the same valve train noise came back. Flash removed the oil filter and the engine blew oil everywhere (my shop is a huge mess!). Turns out the oil line was air-locked and was keeping the oil from pumping up the hydraulic lifters. So, anyway, the lump now lives and we can start working on cleaning it up and making it into a nice driver.

The lump is no longer just a lump. It's a living, breathing machine again. I suspect that it will soon be cleaned up and have Herbie stickers applied to it.

2-10-2008 - The Great White Lump - continued

The new motor has arrived for the great white lump, the old motor is out and we're getting parts together to put the new motor in the car. Had to buy a new clutch, pressure plate, oil dip stick and funnel, timing belt and tensioner, water pump and various other little bits. If things go well we could have the motor in the car in a few days - weather permitting (It's too darn cold in the shop!).