20090602 - Elan engine back from workshop

During summer of 2008 I renovated the head of my big valve twink, with new valves, guides etc. But, when it was mated to the rest of the engine it still smoked like he**, even more than before, actually..
So, some times this spring (2009) the engine was taken out again, and sent to my regular mechanic. New pistons, new rings - well, most of the inside parts are new, actually.

I picked up the engine again on June 2nd, 2009, and started the process of refitting it to the car.
Took some time (mostly due to misaligned clutch...) to get the engine into the car, but we managed it. Fitted all the externals, cables and hoses, carburatort etc, and filled new Castrol Classic oil.
Then filled anti freeze coolant (see Update1 below...).

Update1
June 10th, 2009; due to waterleak from the frontcover, engine is out again. New kit for rebuilding to 'normal' waterpump is ordered, and will be fittet upon arrival
Update2
June 22nd, 2009; Waterpump kit not available from none of the known vendors. Must be machined, and will not be in order until mid-July... So, no Elan this summer, either. Also, the new pistons are hemispheric, and will give to much compression. They will also be machined to 'normal' look...

Got the engine back (again) in the beginning of July, and fitted it during one long evening.
It wouldn't start, but after som efiddeling with the timimg, it started. Some minor adjustments, and it run smoothly.

So; I discovered that the oil pressure read far above the scale. When checking, I found the cable to the oil pressure sender unit had fallen off.
Re-connected the wire, and started the engine. Still far above the scale on the gauge.. To make a long story short; I thought I had mis-wired, and moved some cables. Resuylt; burnt condenser and point braker in the dirstributor :-(
At the time of writing (July 21st, 2008), I am waiting for Burton Power to sypply the needed parts...
Until then; here's a few pics from before - and after - renovation:

A rather dirty and messy engine compartement

Sealing the sump

And the finished result, on engine stand - waiting to be brought home
New valves, guides, gaskets and seals all over, waterpump, pistons etc.

Unfortunately, when the engine was fiotted to the car, it leaked water like a hug tsunami from the waterpump.

Later examination proved the gasket had cracked, for some reaso - it was brand new.. So, engine was taken out again, sent back to the workshop, and a new, modern-type waterpump was fitted.

Henrik, my mechanic, after completing the rebuild at his Lotus-only workshop.

The engine back in the car, one more time...
(bad picture, taken with mobile phone)

We also took the opportunity to fit a 'normal' waterpump, which can be changed without having to dismantle most of the engine. An absolute improvement !

	A rather dirty and messy engine compartement
	Sealing the sump
	And the finished result, on engine stand - waiting to be brought home New valves, guides, gaskets and seals all over, waterpump, pistons etc. Unfortunately, when the engine was fiotted to the car, it leaked water like a hug tsunami from the waterpump. Later examination proved the gasket had cracked, for some reaso - it was brand new.. So, engine was taken out again, sent back to the workshop, and a new, modern-type waterpump was fitted.
	Henrik, my mechanic, after completing the rebuild at his Lotus-only workshop.
	The engine back in the car, one more time... (bad picture, taken with mobile phone)
	We also took the opportunity to fit a 'normal' waterpump, which can be changed without having to dismantle most of the engine. An absolute improvement !