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Surely you could've just pushed a suitably long drill bit down the old dip stick tube and drilled the hole in your baffle without removing the sump. Sort of keyhole surgery for Sammios. Simple, huh?
What's that? Swarf you say. Hmm, hadn't thought of that...
No! The simplest way would have been to shorten the dipstick enough for it sit nicely in the block. Who checks their oil anyway!
No! The simplest solution of all is to run a 'dry sump' engine by, erm, emptying the oil out and running without it.
Think about it: no more surging on high G turns; no more irksome oil changes; no more black spots on the brick-weave for the wife to moan about. What could be simpler or more effective?
I've run the heat gun over the engine and the gearbox (more savings on oil) and there were no bubbles. I'm going for it.
...a dull 'whump' was heard as the engine burst into flame, shortly followed by the unmistakable rustle of a voided insurance policy...leaving a large hole in a bank account.
If the EU wants greener engines, they can have them......and especially after the second coat.
Ancillaries to go on this week (Tuesday?), and as soon as I get my flywheel back from having its new starter ring fitted I can bolt on the gearbox. Then will come the ceremony of dropping them into the chassis. Possibly next weekend......and then I can start building a bl**dy Sammio.
The eagle-eyed among you will notice the fuel-pump blanking plate (from Rimmers). I shall be using an electric pump.
Morning Paul - if all goes to plan (ha ha) I might have the bell-housing built-up with new arm and release bearing, and attached to the gearbox.
I picked-up my flywheel yesterday that has had a new starter ring fitted. I shall fit this to the engine, whack on the clutch and I hope to bolt box to engine. If I achieve this I will be happy.
Then, one evening next week......engine and box in chassis. Hurrah.
Tidied the man-cave in readiness for tomorrow. It meant pushing the chassis outside into daylight for the first time in six months........and the bench is ready.
A few more hours this weekend. I'm just about where I planned to be.
From this pic you can see that the fan belt is too long. I ordered a Spitfire Mk IV item because I had switched to an alternator. Stupid me; the dynamo/alternator pulleys are very similar sizes, but the crank pulley on a Mk IV is much bigger than a 13/60....hence the belt is too long.
The pic also shows the problem of having gone too green. The alternator stands out like a sore thumb. Might just flat-off the plastic back-casing and give it the treatment.
Spot the really embarrassing item above.......yes, once I'd spun the oil filter on it just looked too white so I flatted it off and gave it a coat of green.
And, of you think that is bad, this takes the biscuit. The obsession is now out of hand.
I don't want to fit the distributor just yet as I will probably damage it when I lift the lump into the chassis...........which should be this week.
Paul, Mike,Phil - thanks for the positive comments. They help to keep the spirits up and to keep things moving. I'm actually hoping to start on the floor pan this weekend which is proper Sammio/Ribble stuff rather than restoration. Then it's frame fabrication which I am really looking forward to. Cutting, welding and grinding is good for the soul - especially when you have a new chop saw.
Thank you, Dr Viatron, you may have saved my life.
Paul, yes, the plan is to go for a flip-back which will include a boot. But, I may be being over-ambitious with my glassing skills. Whatever happens, it should be fun viewing for you guys. And, getting the removable roll hoops to look OK will be even more comedy.
Gary - thanks - Waxoyl is on my "to do" list before the floor goes on.
V - I know what you mean, but I'll still know what is underneath. I've always liked that Triumph promotional picture of the chap sitting on a Herald rolling chassis.
