Yes, Norway !

However, thanks to Lee with an express rescue package, we passed through this



To this



Motor bay looks MUCH better now,



And, at the weekend, we did this........

So, seems that the gasket had basically delaminated and started weeping coolant into cylinder #2.

Going on a long run and suddenly being used obviously wasn't what it wanted to do after just pootling around Notts !

I'd initially thought it was just a misfire after hitting a big puddle after I got back.
It was also pressurising the cooling system, so it decided to vent some water through the radiator, . The pinholes which may have just weeped a little, began to proper drip.

Bit of a setback, but on the plus side, now got a new radiator, changed the water pump, cleaned up the motor, new gaskets all round, so hopefully I'm set for a while
Took the chance to fit some Black Diamond hoses too, while I was in there.

Car is now running well, and hoping to start the process of getting it registered over here very soon. Starting with the small matter of handing over vat of 25% of purchase price to The Man..............

Bought as a rolling shell right tuppence haha.

I'm sure you can blag that.
Looking good though.

Good to see it all back in one piece without too much drama ,well done Bob
Must say I felt bad when Bob told me what had happenned but he was very philosophical about it all and it had got him all the way home without drama ... 'shit happens'
Nice to see the lump all tarted up and the paint looking a lot better now

The joys of alpine ownership.
John boys got the right idea with the VXR engine.
That will be my next route if this latest one goes bang.

Meh, it's the chance you take when you buy an old car.
I'm sure in years to come I'll look back on it and laugh.

It didn't show any signs when I picked it up, on the way back, I do recall a puff of white smoke when I restarted after fuelling in Denmark, but I just dismissed it, I'm used to old cars, most of them blow some sort of smokescreen on a hot restart.
With hindsight, that was maybe the beginning.

It held out for another 500 miles after that tho before it started to drop to 5 cylinders. At least it got me home.
Looks like nothing more than old age of the gasket.
If I didn't know better, I'd say that the other one had already been changed in the fairly distant past, certainly the motor's been apart at some stage(s), you call tell by the multitude of colours of sealant !

I appreciate your help in getting all the stuff Lee.
It wasn't too hard to get the motor out, but I wouldn't have fancied doing it without the lift !

As I say, next step, registered and legal, then maybe a nice set of wheels, possibly a paint job next year if the banker will allow it.
Watch this space.................

Anyone know what this rheostat switch thingummy is ?

Noticed it while I was adjusting the beam pattern for driving on the left.

At a guess, some sort of adjustable thermostat for the radiator fans.
Says "TEMP", "OFF" and is graduated 1-5

Anyone shed any light ?

Did you just do the head gaskets?
I hope you checked the piston deck heights fully.
My left hand bank was just below tolerance but was told it would probably be ok. It wasn't as Cedric found out since, so that's essential to ensure a good seal.

I should have known, limits are there for a reason and trusted my own instincts.
My issue was I was doing in situ again not to be advised.

Dave

Bob,
What radiator are you attempting to fit? As it looks like you have aircon too.
If you are attempting to fit the larger alloy one you may run into difficulties?
Apparently it is essential to cut the front of the car of and lower it, for advice speak to JLengineering in order to fit this package.
Which then causes problems with towing eye ( I don't have one now) and fitting the bumper protective under tray is a pain too as none of the holes now line up. Not an optimal solution but essential apparently! had I been informed I would not have agreed to this. I'm sure an alternative radiator could have been sourced.
So you might be better sticking with original radiator (get it recored) you don't want these issues I can assure you.

The switch is for the aircon like a fridge stat you can set it for how cold you wish it to blow

What radiator are you attempting to fit? As it looks like you have aircon too.
If you are attempting to fit the larger alloy one you may run into difficulties?

I bought the rad from Ebay, Winner racing.
I know they aren't the best, but at short notice, best I could do.
I'll probably have the old one recored to hold as a spare, but that's quite expensive over here so might wait until I'm back in the UK with a car.

Not the best fit, the Wnner one, some of the holes were drilled in the wrong places, and it was very slightly larger, but nothing 10 mins with the Dremel didn't fix.

It's all in, doesn't leak, and cools well, so that's the main thing

Did you just do the head gaskets?
I hope you checked the piston deck heights fully.

If I'm honest, no.
I just stuck it all back together, I'm a bit strapped for time, space, cash and motivation at the moment, priority no1 is to get it running properly, (at least for a while) get it registered before it goes into winter storage.

I have another car I'm trying to finish, and I'd like to get that done first before I start doing anything major with the GTA.
Maybe next year or the year after I'd think about doing a full engine rebuild and giving it a paint job.
It runs well now, apart from an annoying flat spot as it comes on boost, so priority 1 is almost achieved.

Have paid the taxes, and have an appointment wit hStatens Vegvesen (Norwegian VOSA) of Friday to try to get it approved.

The switch is for the aircon like a fridge stat you can set it for how cold you wish it to blow

Cool, thanks, that clears that up then

I haven't reconnected the aircon yet since I'm supposed to pay extra taxes based on the gas in the system, but that's handy to know.
I do notice it's like an oven in the car when the sun's out, so aircon working would be handy.

Normal gas worked in mine, just get it re gassed and see what happens you may be pleasantly surprised, there is unlikely to be any of the original gas left over, if you have disconnected the pump. I have since had to have the complete system replaced due to repositioning the pump, not by choice and certainly not an easy conversion.
Granted one pipe needed doing any way as I had inadvertently pulled the end fitting of while doing an engine swap.

My radiator was a similar one of eBay!
I need to get to the bottom of this cut and drop job?
Seems everyone else has managed to fit these without cutting their chassis up, strange.
Have you got standard fans fitted out of interest? or after market plastic lightweight ones?

Dave

Have you got standard fans fitted out of interest? or after market plastic lightweight ones?

Dave

I'm not sure actually, maybe Clee could confirm or deny that ?

Std twin as AC car .

You can get nice cheap 10" ones on Ebay that are well up to the job .Twin setups for about 50 quid

I don't have permission to post a thread in "For sale/ wanted" apparently.

Took my car to be inspected today and it failed because it still has a RHD beam pattern.
Hoped I would have got away with it, but no, the tester was a bit too official............

Does anyone know where I can source a pair of LHD spec headlights without having to take out a mortgage ?
Are these custom units for the GTA, or can they be found on other cars ?