Well I thought I might have a look at the engine today... I have had a good solid day in the garage... I dragged the thing out of its corner and mounted it onto the engine stand. After a thirty minute stare in dispair, I boiled the kettle made a brew, then set about the damned thing !
I had one final snapped head stud to extract which was made more difficult by having a snapped easy out in it.... It took some time but I got there in the end, so now all studs have been removed and the holes that were shot have been helicoiled ready for some nice ARP studs (if budget allows)
Once that was done I scrubbed the thing down with hot soapy water, and surprisingly the block cleaned up real nice !
Once that was done I began to take stock of what I had been left with, I found a basket of valves which had the guides zip locked together, they were in a sad state. So I thought I might as well start to clean them. I pulled each one down and cleaned the individual components the valve stem was given some light cleaning, and the valve face was cleaned in my lathe with some fine wet and dry. I then oiled them up and built them back into the springs......I am undecided if I am going to replace the guides (as they appear ok )
Three down !
I have also been digging through the bucket o grime to see what bolts I have left.... As I found them I put them back into the block flagging bits back on (these will all come off again for the build)
I have ordered some big end bearings and scored for a full set for 35 quid ! 15 thou undersize.
I still need some main bearings though. I have noticed that my cam is utterly shot as the hard nitride coating has worn off some of the lobes.....hate to think what a new cam is going to cost me !
But on a high note my pal Bill checked my water pumps and both are fine so no need to strip and rebuild them, so the is a few quid saved !
Bit of a mixed bag, it's going to be costly but I will get there somehow.