Time to look as good as He runs

[NYRican MC40]

Looks really good, Great job.

[1975_mini]

Engine back in its home, bolting all the externals on tomorrow.

 

[1975_mini]

All buttoned up, fuilds refilled, and four tires back on the ground for the first time in a few months. I should be crossing my toes and turning the key tomorrow.

 

Also replaced the lower control arm and tie rod bushing. I think they were a bit wore, front should definately be stiffened up now.

[1975_mini]

Decided this past weekend to address the burgundy seats in Watson. They were the last remaining piece of his original triple red look (exterior, upholstery, and carpet) a true 70's look. The vinyl was starting to shows some tears, and really go with the blue car and black carpet and door cards. I bought some inexpensive cloth upholstery the give the first try, and below are the results. I will likely replace with vinyl or leather down the road now that I have a good pattern from this attempt.

 

I have definitely improved my sewing skills if nothing else.

 

 

 

 

 

I still has the backseat to do:frown:

[FUNN SIZ]

Those look much better. I am on the prowl for aftermarket seats, haven't decided what to do about the rears.

[1975_mini]

Well as I see some yellow in the leaves, it was time to decide on my winter project.

 

I picked up a 1098cc engine with a manual transmission a while back, as an upgrade from watson's current 998cc and automatic transmission. I broke it all the way down and it has been sitting in tubs under the work bench. I decided it would be a good winter project to rebuild.

 

So here is what is looked like when i got it.

 

So I started the prepping the block and head this weekend.

 

bare block and head with 46 years of paint, grease, and grime

 

After degreasing

 

Now down for a two week molasses bath to get rid of all the surface rust and scaling in the water jackets. I swear there is a block and head in that oozs somewhere.

 

Here is the link to all the photos to anyone interested further.

http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/buckshot2191/library/Watson/1098cc%20rebuild

[TGGRRR (Ali)]

While he's all apart you can paint the engine a nice shiny orange

[1975_mini]

While he's all apart you can paint the engine a nice shiny orange

 

sure, and i will tell everyone its a hemi:rock:

[TGGRRR (Ali)]

sure, and i will tell everyone its a hemi:rock:

 

Exactly, they'll never tell the difference. It's the power of the orange

[Lt. Dan]

Great read! If you ever need a spare set of hands, I'm cheap labor(beer and pizza). Of course, I'm sure there are a few of us here like that... :top:

[Bert]

Corey, great pictures. Keep them coming.

 

It was great having a chance to speak with you yesterday at the Annual Meeting. Finally able to put another name and face together.

[1975_mini]

Great read! If you ever need a spare set of hands, I'm cheap labor(beer and pizza). Of course, I'm sure there are a few of us here like that... :top:

 

That's the currency I work for as well

[1975_mini]

I left this with the block and head going down for a molasses bath. I decide to take a peak and see how it was doing today.

 

This was what I found when I popped the top, I guess that means its working

 

Here are the pieces hosed off they are sqeaking clean, but going to drop for another week to finish off the trouble rust spots in the water jackets and thermostat housing. Very impressed with the results of a $10 bottle of molasses and some water versus $150 to have it hot tanked.

 

hope to be painting them next weekend:top:

[1975_mini]

Pulled the head out of the molasses bath today after two weeks. Powerwashed, baked at 200 degrees for 30 minutes (don't tell brandy), taped, painted, and oiled.

 

Sorry Ali no orange decided to go with year collect black.

 

 

just need to replace a valve guide on cylinder one and it will be ready to reassemble.

 

for the guide I plan to heat the block and freeze the guide, hopefully that gives enough play to press it in with my 3 ton press.

[1975_mini]

First Brandy got sick of me smelling like molasses, so she bought me these.

Should come in handy with the looming Ebola outbreak too.

 

The block has crawled out of the ooz after 3 weeks and I am ecstatic with the results. Paint oiled, and will try to get it to the machinist to have the cylinders honed this week.

 

Some Additional parts I let soak for a week and hit with a fresh coat of paint.

 

Put the crank, cam and pistons down for a soak today.

[1975_mini]

I hope every one had a great holidays and got everything they were hoping for. Santa and my sexy wife were good to Watson and I this year.

 

Under the tree were all parts require to complete the rebuild of the 1098cc motor: Bearings, Gaskets, and a few other odds and ends.

 

Todays project was replacing the valve guide I broke getting the stuck valve out.

 

First a 6 ton arbor press is your friend, best investment I have made. Out with the old, no heat needed the press did all the work

 

One broken valve out.

 

New valve going in

 

New valve in, please ignore the oxidation. The head has been sitting on the shelf for a bit. I will wipe down before final install.

 

Only took about 15 minutes, and that was developing a plan of attack as I went. I only did the broken one, because I had heard it was a pain in the butt to replace the guides. I may replace them all now.

 

As I used a straight edge to find the depth to press the guide to, I found that none of the guide were at the same height. Germans have precision engineering; the Brits have "that will work".

[Edge]

Wow Corey - bravo! Much respect for those who can wrench like you do... :congrats:

 

I look forward to seeing the finished results when the rebuild is complete!

[1975_mini]

Watson has a new roommate for a bit. I picked this beauty up as a donor for Watson's engine upgrade and manual conversion (using the subframe,clutch, and pedal box)

 

Special thanks to Brian (unstable) for loaning me his trailer, perfect fit:top:

 

The second project I am considering it converting the rear into a trailer to use with watson, would hopefully come out something like this.

 

I am not sure of Ali's rules on whether donor's have to have names. I will wait for the ruling.

[Ice]

Please don't name a donor. You will get attached to it and feel bad when you have to let it go. [emoji1]

[PSUMINI]

Glad to see you made it back in one piece. Nigel is enjoying the extra space in the garage

[1975_mini]

Glad to see you made it back in one piece. Nigel is enjoying the extra space in the garage

 

All smooth sailing, and the rain and boucing got rid of all the loose rust. We will see how long it takes Nigel to spill into the open space.

 

Please don't name a donor. You will get attached to it and feel bad when you have to let it go. [emoji1]

 

I agree:top:

[Brandy_Brown]

lol there will be NO getting attached, he is sitting in a borrowed spot, poor Ebony is out in the cold and with the possibility of snow tomorrow she is not happy LOL

[TGGRRR (Ali)]

Please don't name a donor. You will get attached to it and feel bad when you have to let it go. [emoji1]

 

I'm going to let this one slide but if it becomes a trailer it gets named :top:

[klwells]

$150 to hot tank a cylinder head and 4 cyl block is pricey. Probably could have them both tanked and block honed for that price on our side of the river.

[1975_mini]

I will definitely keep that in mind, next time i am looking. thanks.

 

$150 to hot tank a cylinder head and 4 cyl block is pricey. Probably could have them both tanked and block honed for that price on our side of the river.