Thanks Paul, Oxford did say that you also had paid him a visit at one stage!
Landmannn, I do take your point and realise I may well get carried away!
WCA, I had considered your idea of a more modern engine but decided against it. If I had gone that route, I would have used a Rover 1.4 engine, as its all alloy and was at the time it was made, the most powerful naturally aspirated 1.4 engine in the world, producing 103 BHP, which is about the same as the Triumph straight six 2 litre, but of course being all alloy, was much lighter.
So why did I not go that route? because I would have had to change the gearbox, which in turn would mean I would have to re-arrage the complete interior of the car, possibly re-make the
centre console, which would be almost impossible as the seats are only 16 inches wide as it is, and space is at an absolute premium, etc etc.
So really, this is the easiest option, although still an enormous pain to have to do anyway.
Jag TVR that GT6 is actually in my FRONT garden!
I had considered using that engine at one point, but with no flip front, and the space restrictions that come with it, decided against it, Don't think there is enough room.
And the other point is have you seen the prices of GT6's lately?
That machine will be a future project, and they are fetching silly money at present, so I'm on to a winner with that one I think.
Hello scimjim and Abitious_Tas!
Sorry for the delay in answering!
I will eventually get around to checking the engine scimjim, thanks for that.
And Am-Tas, yes they would do you a flip-front, as when I ordered my bodyshell Tribute asked me if I wanted a flip-front
and regretfully I said no!
Landmannnnn, how right you were/are!!!
The engine re-builder I have tasked with the rebuild of my 1300 engine rang me the other day to say that after stripping my motor and doing some pricing, he was sorry to inform me that it would cost ONE THOUSAND POUNDS PLUS VAT Sir............
Bloody hell;!!
By all accounts it needs a rebore, new pistons, crank regrind AND
a bloody camshaft!
Right at this moment, I have no XKSS which drives, so very reluctantly I have given him the go-ahead.
I ran this news past a mechanical mate of mine who thought a grand for rebuild was CHEAP!
Perhaps I'm too old-fashioned, but a grand to me is still a lot of readies, but as I said, as we speak, it should be being sorted out.
Watch this space...............
Possibly Tas, but its too late now, I have given him the green light.
At least afterwards I will have a good revvy little engine I can thrape about a bit!
Plus the extras they usually add on at the end.......
Thanks Paul, I agree with you about cash well spent 'cos at the moment, I have a piece of junk that doesn't drive, a pretty piece of junk mind you, but it WILL be worth it when its all done.
Overdue update
Ambi-TAS
Barber
and Car Snapper Thanks for the concern and interest!
I really do appreciate it! It was a bit of a surprise to see my thread on
the front page again and even more surprising to see that somehow its
clocked up well over 300, 000 hits!!
I did not realise that the A352 was so popular!
Health-wise I am fine, work-wise ( XK orientated ) I am a total disgrace
to this forum!!! I have done absolutely NOTHING all winter!!
Yesterday a friend of mine said “in two weeks time it will be April” “I
think you should do something on the XK” And of course he was right.
So I ordered a new water pump for the “new” engine, (which at present is
outside wrapped up in blankets and waterproof sheets)
I spent several hours clearing out the shed next to the tent where the XK
lives, with the intention of transferring the engine to the shed so I can
prepare it for installation.
Painting it a nice colour, putting new plugs in it, putting the dizzy on etc,
bolting on the new water pump, (when it arrives) complete with painted
housing. All that sort of stuff.
So that's where I am at present, I am making an effort, but after being in
denial for so long over the XK it's taking a bit of getting used to!
I always seem to have several other projects on the go at the same time,
so its a bit of a juggle to prioritise and fit them all in, but I am going to
have to do the XK.
Watch this space...............
Thank you for the video Paul!
I have only just seen it. It is indeed a good inspiration!
Like the man says. it may not be "real" or, ( in my case) as fast and powerful,
BUT it looks and sounds the same, and most important of all
IT GIVES YOU THE SAME FEELING!!
Good luck to all you A352 builders!!
Scottie
I must apologise for not being on this thread for weeks and weeks,
so sorry for that!
I still have not put the bloody engine in the XK, that will most likely be in the spring now.
Mitchelkitman : I take it you are wanting the colour and type of paint I used on the XK?
I have the old original tin in front of me now, and it says on the tatty label " BLGN 18 "MAC 5"
It came from a company called "Border Automotive"
I asked for "A really dark British Racing Green" and this is what they gaved me.
I was told it was the modern replacement for celloluse and it
was air dried, I sprayed it outside on my driveway, and got the usual flies, grass and rubbish stuff stuck to it, but it cleaned up pretty well. The tin cost me about £35 which has to be a record for a spray job like I ended up with!
I put two or three coats on so I could mop it back to a good shine which worked well, I mopped through to the primer in a couple
of places but you have to look close and hard to see that!
Chipsairhead: Thank you for your kind words!
I wonder if having rebuilt my 1500 head (when the head gasket went) I wonder if that's why it overheated faily quickly down the road?
Anyhow I now have the trusty and proven 1300 mega-revver
which will eventually find its way into the XK so hopefully should not have any further trouble!!
Hello all,
I also just noticed that my pics have flown, I have asked Paul for help as he seems good at photobucketing around! I am in the process of trying to restore the pics and will try posting some new ones when I get time!!
Chips airhead,
when my Triumph head blew it made a one-inch gap in the gasket between 1 and two so I also limped home at 20 mph on 3 and 4.......
with other motorists giving me V signs and moaning 'cos I held them up!
Chips: forgot to mention that when it overheated again, I thought f**k it and had a 1300 engine rebuilt, so I still dont know what or even care anymore what it was!
And a big thank you to "Oxford" for the the kind donation of that engine for a crate of beer!
[IMG]<iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://s928.photobucket.com/user/scottie_22/embed/slideshow/Late"></iframe>[/IMG]
My first attempt at posting a pic after Photo bucket went tits up................ I can't see any picture anyone know what I've done wrong?
I used to be good at this in the past...............
