S1 V6 auto back on the road at last!! - Problem solved!!

[MTXM]

As the grey car is now off the road I took the gold car for a test last week and the only issues were a perished and leaking return hose on the nearside front strut and a bit of welding needed on the offside rear sill. I checked the offside front pipe and that is also quite poor but I am now out of good spares! The leaking pipe has been changed and the welding is booked for Monday week. With regards, Matthew T.

[And911]

Hi Matthew, sorry to hear more bad news on the grey Auto, maybe I'm glad it didn't end up in my garage! It's still the ultimate spec for me and I admire your persistence, at least you have huge experience removing / installing these engines. I will be seeking advice on this topic shortly as no one locally is prepared to fix the exhaust manifold gaskets on my PRV, it seems I will be getting involved myself.
In the meantime enjoy the gold car, how nice to have a few spare cars!

PS. The red dye crack test method is widely used in engineering, many companies offer this service, I'm sure someone local could check your starter rings, a wise precaution in my opinion. Let me know if you need me to put some feelers out.

[MTXM]

Many thanks for your kind remarks Andy that is very good news you acquired the black lhd 12v and I know you were interested! I certainly seem to have been unlucky with this car, although before the starter ring went it was brill!! Thank you also for your offer of help with the dye test and please do keep us posted on your head gaskets and any advice required. I had another session stripping off the engine today and on the next occasion it should be out! With regards, Matthew T.

[MTXM]

Here is my promised update on the correct thread and just to confirm that the engine and gearbox have now been removed and starter ring damage confirmed, fortunately with only slight abrasion of the engine casing!

I have also sought advice on the torque convertor with assurances obtained that the balance should be correct. There is a small weight on the t/c case and the gearbox specialist has never experienced issues before. In addition to check the balance the component has to be rebuilt to remove all traces of oil, so apart from the further cost involved I would never know for sure if there was a problem!

It has also been possible to locate a local performance engine company who can crack test my other starter rings and flex plates for relatively modest cost and I believe the most reliable process is magnetic rather than using dyes.

Regards,

Matthew T.

[MTXM]

I am also able to report some progress this weekend with my V6 project as I found time to fit the replacement starter ring and flex-plate and reunite the engine and gearbox. The two spare starter rings and flex-plates I have were both crack tested and found to be good that was a relief and I obtained reassuring advice on the torque convertor balancing. An additional engine-box locating dowel was fitted as only one was in place. There are just a few further smaller jobs required before starting to reinstall in the car! Regards, Matthew T.

[Dean]

Sounds good Matthew, wont be long now untill your back on the road!

Could you do me a favour before the engine goes back in and take a photo or two of the front engine mounting point on the subframe, i am going to have to fabricate one and just want to see how the OE mount was done.

Thanks

[MTXM]

Thanks Dean and here are some general photos for the present taken at the first removal! I wonder could you not work from or even utilize the mount on YOG? With regards, Matthew T.

[Dean]

Unfortunately not Matthew, the front subframe on YOG is like the rest of the car, shot to bits, you can push holes through the subframe in all the parts i poked and the mount itself looks fairly rough verging on not actually being part of the car anymore.
Looking at your picture it looks like the mount is just an extrension of the upper pressing of the subframe, it also looks like your subframe has an extra section of plate welded across the full width behind the main box section at the front that the mounting is welded to so i may have to add that section in too with the downturned lip probably to premote air flow through what would be a much smaller opening due to the larger sump and extra metal welded in behind the front bar.

Thank you for that but ifyou could get a close up picture from in the engine bay looking forward at the mount i can see what im dealing with, i dont want to take YOG apart until the V6 is in the Prestige really as i want it for reference.

D

[MTXM]

I now understand your problem Dean and I shall take photos of the mount on my loose sub-frame that is rather more accessible and less cluttered! With regards, Matthew T.

[MTXM]

It is now possible to report that the engine and box are back in the car and all went smoothly! The four mounts are all in place and some ancillaries etc. reconnected and I hope to finish the job next weekend. I am relieved to have reinstated the lump and hopefully it will not be coming out again! The next major task is a similar operation on the Cobalt car, which was meant to be this years winter project. With regards, Matthew T.