Bandits at 10 o'clock!

Bandits at 10 o'clock!, originally uploaded by tobyanscombe.

Something from the summer - the joy of living near an old second world war airfield, aside from the ability to have cheap track days on your doorstep ;-)

Piston ring compressor

, originally uploaded by tobyanscombe.

This is what I use - if you can then dont!

I used to have a really old piston ring compressor which was like a pair of pliers with a metal ring - squeeze the pliers and the ring compresses....way better than this type

Custom made head studs

, originally uploaded by tobyanscombe.

Although you can use the standard midget studs they are about 5mm too long and you need 10 of the long ones...

As I am a fan of ARP for almost everything I could have bought 3 sets of ARP midget studs or tried to get the individual studs (I have the part numbers from ARP) it was about the same cost to get a set custom made to the right length.

T&K Precision made them for me, came to about £120 inc vat and delivery, which is not bad!

For reference the job number if anyone else wants a set made is:

Crank view

, originally uploaded by tobyanscombe.

Oooo....

Look at all the lovely assembly lube!

Engine now with added pistons!

, originally uploaded by tobyanscombe.

Installed the pistons yesterday; its beginning to look like an engine now...

Con Rods

Mental note to self...

Original Stamped Number	Actual Position in engine
2	1
3	2
4	3
1	4

The cranks in...

IMG_0660, originally uploaded by tobyanscombe.

Cleaned everything and fitted the crank tonight. You can see the Swiftune main cap set, torqued to 60lb/ft. Measured the end float and its about 4 thou which is lower than the manual but I am sure that it will wear in ok.

Loads of assembly lube on all the surfaces and bog standard mineral oil squirted into all the oilways and galleries.