So now everything has been stripped, its time to REBUILD !
What we are doing is installing MGTF 135 Cams and a VVC inlet manifold
with a 52mm throttle body, it is a risk as we have no way of mapping the
ECU after consulting K-Maps but we though it was worth a shot, just to
see if it could be done.
First things first, while the head was off we offered up the manifold to see
if everything lined up ok, the VVC inlet takes two extra upper 13mm bolts
over the 8 that the plastic unit takes so we sourced these in my collection
of spares, odds and sods.
Getting the MLS Gasket in place and building up the head.
Next we prepped the 52mm throttle body and got the inlet manifold attached,
we had to make up a longer vacuum hose as the original one did not reach.
Enter the 135 cams !
The top cam carrier cover got a clean up to remove the silicone added to the
old oil seals and to remove oil deposits and instant gasket, there was quite a
bit in the oil wells.
Starting to get somewhere now, next job was to clean up the waterpump area,
we cleaned it up with brake cleaner then sprayed with Double TT and gave a rub
with some 1200 grit wet and dry to get a nice clean face, once we did this we
got the water pump mounted and installed the new cam belt kit and the pullies.
Cam belt cover and rocker cover all back in place.
Then we did the job we had been concerned about, installing the dizzy drive dog
gear peg into the 135 inlet cam, we had to destroy the original cam to get it out
without damaging it, we then had to get it in perfectly as once its in its not
coming out again and 135 cams are getting hard to come by these days and fetch
a pretty penny, after timing everything up and getting pot 1 to its fully open
position it was hammered in place to point number one on the dizzy, the rest of
the ignition system was then installed.
We filled up with coolant, re-connected the battery and turned the key to a big
nothing as we forgot to reset the fuel cutoff switch, we thought that was out snag
for the day but when we finally turned the key it would not fire it, we had spark
and fuel but nothing else.
mtecstevo showed an out of character moment and resorted to consulting what
he calls 'The Haynes Book of Lies' on the sly to see if we missed a step.
It was at this point he realised his schoolboy error, when he timed up and positioned
the dizzy peg he forgot that you add an extra 180', so when the car is turning over it
is firing off pot 3 not pot 1, so a quick swap round of the HT leads sorted that.
IT LIVES !
VIDEO LINK 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55U23JkVcrE
The tapping noise is not coming from the engine but a blow in the manifold to
downpipe gasket, we then filled up the system with coolant and did a warm start.
VIDEO LINK 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cvwlUnVTDA
Now that it was running we swapped out the oil and filter, just as well really.
I had some Castrol Magnatec in the garage from a previous bargain session on
EuroCarParts last year so we threw that in.
I then tarted up the engine by by giving everything a wipe down the giving it
all a spray with silicone spray and adding some fresh decals, a yellow oil cap
and spraying up the spark plug cover in MNX.
We took the car on a 2 mile maiden voyage but kept the revs below 3k so the cams
could bed in, power I would say was on the low side and it was 'lumpy', plus when
changing gear or coming to a stop the revs would bottom out but when we parked
back up the idle was spot on.
VIDEO LINK 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6YUWNpR7dE
There is obviously an issue with either the timing or just the lack of a map to go
along with the mods as the water out the exhaust had an oil slick of fuel in it.
We could go MEMS3 but its more faff and cost so I decided that the car would
go back to stock cams and inlet but keep the 52mm Throttle Body, yes this mod
can be done but the lack of a remap is a problem but at least we had a go, didn't
cost us owt asides a set of cams.
I have a pair of standard cams on there way to me and I have stripped off the VVC
inlet manifold, this and the 135 cams plus another 52mm throttle body will be going
on the ported and polished head of my 1.4 ROVER 25 along with a proper remap
on its MEMS3 system from K-MAPS (ZandF Tuning).
I hope everyone liked this thread, it may have seemed a bit pointless or a waste of
time but hopefully someone may do this mod themselves but go the extra mile with
the MEMS3 upgrade.
