It’s been a few weekends, but we really have to start looking at what the insides look like … and measuring the critical dimensions.
You know the ones … engine block cylinder bores, crankshaft journals and wear (if any) on the camshaft lobes.
(Funny how the newspaper page I used was the ‘auto’ section of the local paper.) There was a Mazda 6, MY06 going for $30,990
if anyone was interested. Anyway, the crankshaft journals looked almost immaculate. This photo above was to try to show the
very, very light score on the big end. It was small and it was difficult to feel, but she was there.
This is where it is a huge help to know people who are also car enthusiasts and/or have their own ’shops’.
As much as I think I know, many people know much more.
This weekend, I started measuring and writing down and looking at books …
For now, this one is the ‘bible’ that I am using … I am currently looking for an original Holden Workshop Manual “HR Series”.
Hmmmm, that’ll be eBay again.
I’d like to get as much ‘workshop’ time completed before the hot weather comes in …
… and in most of Western Australia that means anything up to 40DegC (HOT!!)
So it’s bores, journals this weekend … now, I have an external micrometer
… how do I get a hold of some internal callipers?
Ah, it’s brilliant when you are not alone in your enthusiasm.
Another friend to the rescue - internal callipers courtesy of James.
I could tell you his nickname but I’d have to commit an offence :o(
Anyway, it’s Friday night James dropped in to say “G’day” and see how far the strip down has got ~
I have the cylinder bores ready to be ‘micro-metered’.
This is what I have:
Cylinder Bores
Top - (1) 93.68 ~ 93.78mm (2) 93.62 ~ 93.65mm (3) 93.65 ~ 93.68mm
(4) 93.64 ~ 93.63mm (5) 93.65 ~ 93.66mm (6) 93.66 ~ 93.74mm
Bottom (1) 93.66 ~ 93.63mm (2) 93.62 ~ 93.68mm (3) 93.61 ~ 93.64mm
(4) 93.60 ~ 93.63mm (5) 93.60 ~ 93.63mm (6) 93.60 ~ 93.67mm
Main Bearing Journals
(1) 55.350mm (2) 55.340mm (3) 55.340mm (4) 55.340mm (5) 55.345mm (6) 55.340mm (7) 55.340mm.
I apologise for my instinctive metric measurements … I was born when the rest of the world went “metric”.
Suffice it to say, all the dimensions are within wear limits -
If you have fitted 1.5mm (0.060”) oversize pistons and 0.010” undersize ‘big end bearings!!!
Yes, the engine has had some work, but the bearings were still OK and with no copper showing on any of the shells.
Well, the engine block pistons and cylinder head will be coming home with me.
I’lll need to wash them thoroughly and see if they can be re-used.
In the meantime … there are 2 pictures I have added as a comparison. They are of the 2 cylinder heads.
The one on the left is the one that I unbolted from my 186 …
… the one on the right is one that someone (Thomas) had been keeping in a shed for nearly 20 years …
… he was going to use it in the future.
Now do you see the differences … with the cylinder head … its future is now … :oP
The 2 pictures show the inlet ports to cylinder #1 & 2 … the one that was on my 186 has a casting in the middle about 3/4” thick that, well … separates the 2 inlets.
… the one that I am going to fit … er … doesn’t.
It’s a funny story, coming up next on … “Long Live The King” …
