Bearmans Engine Rebuild

[HalHal]

Looks good Craig. Has the engine being started yet on the Dyno?

What sort of horse power are you expecting?

[Bearman]

Hi Adam. The motor has been started to run in the cam. Didn't do any power runs, that's for when it's in the car for a chassis dyno tune when I've put some K's on it.

Expecting around 360-370 at the fly. Not much In this day and age but enough for me!!

Getting Toey after the historics......

[HalHal]

I think that amount of power will be very nice. You can have some fun yet won't over stress everything.

[Bearman]

Got the motor back last weekend. Spent a day bolting on the various bits n' pieces.

As for the body, the radiator bottom cross member section is in and they're filling up all the superfluous holes in the engine bay. Things are happening so hopefully the body will be pack fairly soon.

Been scoping some different wheels and tyres but I don't think I'll have the budget to do this. Other priorities need to be met.

[smciner1]

Originally Posted by Bearman

Got the motor back last weekend. Spent a day bolting on the various bits n' pieces.

As for the body, the radiator bottom cross member section is in and they're filling up all the superfluous holes in the engine bay. Things are happening so hopefully the body will be pack fairly soon.

Been scoping some different wheels and tyres but I don't think I'll have the budget to do this. Other priorities need to be met.

The Simmons look fine Mate.

[Bearman]

Finally!! Got the coupe back on Friday. No way known could I have ever thought this work would take 8 months. Good job and decent price but fafuxsakes, 8 god damn months??? This in spite of Stu and I putting plenty of pressure on. If I had any inkling it would have taken that long I wouldn't have bothered. Moving it elsewhere was not an option because it sat in the most part with the crossmember and lower rad support removed so it was not stable enough to move........

And I thought I got jerked around by the engine builder........

I left it with them thinking of a pickup around Easter would be more than enough time. Now it's almost too late for Echuca, I'm so ****ed!!!

Anyway, got the steering box. brakes and hydraulics all in along with the motor. Having big problems with those you beaut heavy duty engine mounts mis-aligning the motor in the engine bay resulting in Stu not being able to bolt up the gearbox cross member. The left mount went in no probs but had an absolute runt of a time on the right.

The plan now is to rip them out and chuck in the old ones, which are in good condition. Don't have the time to buggerize around with these other god damn things.

Got the left side extractors sitting in but can't get the right side in. No work today, Stu is on a family embargo (Sundays are off limits) and I've come down in a screaming heap with the dreaded lurgy.

Plan now is hopefully one night during the week to get the motor properly mounted in. Then I can get it flat bedded off to an exhaust joint to fit the right side extractors and new complete system. Once done I can spend the next weekend bolting everything else on and get the auto electrician back to fit off some wiring (Stu is away). Fathers day weekend get it fired up and I have the following week to drive it around and put some km's on it.

After that is a long promised holiday which I absolutely cannot reneg on (otherwise I will have my salada crackers cut off) then a few days before heading to Echuca to iron out any last minute gremlins.

Stressed and anxious for sure but the upside is that I will be at Echuca and NOT coupe-less. I have 2 offers of "spare" coupes so at least I will be able to be there and participate. Great bunch of guys in the club!!

Anyway, here's some pics:

[Bearman]

I'm thinking of using Performance Exhausts in Ringwood but if there is anywhere someone can recommend that is closer to Bayswater that would be great!!

[daytona1965]

Craig,

Nice job, 8 Months is a long time..........

The good thing is you have enough time to complete before HTA.



Rohan

[tony302coupe]

Originally Posted by Bearman

Finally!! Got the coupe back on Friday. No way known could I have ever thought this work would take 8 months. Good job and decent price but fafuxsakes, 8 god damn months???

Craig it looks great mate good job, I would look for an exhaust place that can do what you want and has fast turn around not closer

Cheers
Tony

[smciner1]

Glad to hear you have it back Craig. What Fuel Pump are you running?

[neptune blue]

nice to see her coming back together again Craig
I know you have suffered not being able to bring her to a lot of club events
the ceramic coated pipes look fantastic!

[Phil B]

Originally Posted by Bearman

I'm thinking of using Performance Exhausts in Ringwood but if there is anywhere someone can recommend that is closer to Bayswater that would be great!!

It's a bit further away but Matt and Simon at MRC Performance in Lilydale did a really nice job on the exhaust for my coupe, they might be able to help you.

[XBCoupeNZ]

I feel your pain about panel beaters and time frames.

Looks good though.

[Bearman]

Stu got the engine mounts sorted, were able to retain the heavy duty jobbies after all. Was able to loosen off all the bolts and pivot the engine around to its correct position.

I put in a good day yesterday bolting in the various ancilaries, connecting up the fuel line, power steering lines, fan and pulleys and lower radiator mounts. Got the wiper motor back in and scuttle on.

Shane - I can't remember what that fuel pump is, I bought it ages ago. Just know it's a high capacity jobbie. Will have to consult the paperwork.

The auto electrician will be around on Saturday to fit off the wiring for the MSD, starter motor and a few other things. By the end of that day I should have it almost ready to add fluids, hook up the battery and fire it.

Tuesday Morning on the flatbed to Performance Exhausts and return on Wednesday Arvo. Had a good chat to them about my requirements and I will be their first customer at their new premises in Vermont. Closer to home!!

The following weekend (Fathers Day weekend) Stu will be back so we'll add the fluids, bleed up all the hydraulics and give it a kick in the guts. Hit the rubber road to freedom!!

***As long as nothing goes wrong - touch wood!!***

[greenjgs]

The fule pump was going to be a RobMacc. Nice pump

[Bearman]

Went to Performance Exhausts this morning, scheduled pickup tomorrow arvo. Getting a 2.5" mandrel bend system with X pipe and Magnaflow stainless mufflers with flanges to the extractors.

The auto electricial had to pull the plug on Saturday so he'll be back on Thursday evening to fit off the electricals.

On schedule for startup this weekend!!

Will post up pics when I get a chance!!

[JG65TE]

lookin tops mate. If I can help in any way, just holler. I wouldn't mind a coupla days off work anyway.

[Bearman]

Cheers Doc, thanks mate.

Wiring done!! Exhaust done!!

Everything is in and it's now looking like a car again. Got all the lines fitted up, spent the best part of yesterday hunting down bits n' bobs after finding hoses and fittings just didn't want to marry up. All very annoying and frustrating!! Visited Rare Spares for things they never seem to have!!

Need to sort out another carby. Need to run a vacuum advance and the carby I have doesn't have provision for it.

Managed a brake upgrade so yesterday wasn't a total bust!!

Bonnet is on and today in goes the lights, grille and bumper.

Graeme will be visiting tomorrow arvo to do my new fuel line from the tank to the engine bay. 3/8" all the way, and have a sender to suit.

The to do list is carby, sort out the throttle cable mounting, fuel line, bleed up all the hydraulics, add the fluids and start it up!! So close now........

The guys at Performance Exhausts have done a great job. It's always nice to use trades and services which are professional and hassle free.

Some exhaust pics:




Brakes Before:


Brakes After:

[smciner1]

Nice looking Pipes.

[DaveD_XB]

Looks great... Where did you get the tailshaft loop? I'm looking to get one, is it custom or an off the shelf thing?

[Bearman]

Originally Posted by DaveD_XB

Looks great... Where did you get the tailshaft loop? I'm looking to get one, is it custom or an off the shelf thing?

Hi Dave, I think it's a custom made one courtesy of the previous owner. Plenty of off-the-shelf options around though. In any case, I would always run a loop in these old cars.

[daytona1965]

Mr Beam,

Great pipes........

Nothing ever fits when you put it back together, is that just my lack of

ability or old things just dont want to play ????

Thats why I know so many Tow Truck operators

Looks like the trip to Echuca will be the running in drive....


Rohan

[Bearman]

Hey Rohan, hoping for a Friday fireup and first drive. Wobble my way to the nearest tyre place for a wheel alignment (luckily only a few hundred meters away) and then drive it as much as I can before heading to Echuca. Having that as the running in drive is less than ideal. Unfortunately I won't be able to fit in a dyno tune before then.

Not ideal but I should have it pretty much de-bugged and make sure there are no fluid leaks or anything.

Still pi55ed at the panel shop for taking so long..............

An interesting aside - the brake upgrade to the Hoppers Stoppers has added around 10mm either side to the front wheel track. I have googled this and this is documented. That is the front wheels are now 10mm closer to the wheel arch. Hope I don't run into any guard fouling issues!!

[Bearman]

Yesterday was a bust. Had some issues with the upgraded brakes not sitting right. Graeme also had hassles with the fuel line so not a good day.

Today went better. The wheel studs were the culprit so have effected a solution.

Tomorrow the brakes will be refitted, brakes and clutch bled up, fuel line done and muck around with the throttle cable and we're done.

Echuca or bust. Fingers crossed!!

[Bearman]

So close to fire up!!

Got the brakes sorted and all's well there. Graeme got the fuel line all sorted, thanks heaps mate!! Stu and I have bled up the brakes and clutch and we have the throttle cable all sorted.

Just have to do a few very minor things, get fuel and turn the key.

[greenjgs]

Originally Posted by Bearman

So close to fire up!!

Got the brakes sorted and all's well there. Graeme got the fuel line all sorted, thanks heaps mate!! Stu and I have bled up the brakes and clutch and we have the throttle cable all sorted.

Just have to do a few very minor things, get fuel and turn the key.

My pleasure Craig, good luck with the first very exciting run. No letting the smoke out of the tyres!!!

[Bearman]

IT'S ALIVE!!!!!!!

All running, no leaks and nothing fell off after a short drive.

Tomorrow get a wheel alignment and take it for a good run. Change the oil and arrange a tune. Put some pre Echuca miles on it.

So god damn relieved!!

[HalHal]

Well done. Looking forward to seeing it.

[daytona1965]

Great news Mr Bear.........

[Bearman]

Got the wheel alignment so now at least everything points in the same direction.

Went for a short run in it, took it home to show my wife it actually lives and is not a myth!!

Still needs some bedding in. Tomorrow I'm tied up with other things. Wednesday it's booked into Pedders to be raised a tad. Sacrelige and herecy I here you say?? It's just too damn low. I got sick to death of running aground on speed humps, driveways etc. my new sump also hangs slightly lower too so up she comes!!

Wednesday arvo dump the oil and put some fresh stuff in and get the speedo working. Looks like its pulled out at the dash.

Booked in for a dyno on Friday and we're set for Echuca.