What broke on the engine?

Well after getting the engine out of the car.  The next day I pulled the head off and found out exactly what the problem was.  Our guess of a broken valve was correct.  One of the exhaust valves in cylinder 3 has a nice chunk missing from it.

There is quite a lot of carbon build up in all 4 cylinders, which is no surprise if you have ever seen my car run at an Autocross event.  The engine burned quite a lot of oil. 

Judging by how the cylinders and pistons look.  The rings are leaking a bit, but not severely.  I would bet that if I threw a new valve in the head and cleaned it up it would run fine. though it wouldn't solve the oil burning issue. 

As you can see from the above picture there is a lot of carbon on the pistons as well.  Amazingly the piece of the valve doesn't seem to have caused any real damage. I haven't located any scratches at this point from it.

Hoping to have the new engine very soon!

Engine is out

It's a little weird seeing the giant empty spot under the hood.  Transmission is separated from the block and now I am just waiting for the new Clutch and Flywheel that should be here on Friday.

As with any project like this on an older car... I found that the engine mounts are basically shot and should probably be replaced....  so that's another part that will have to be ordered and waited on.  but I can get it mostly ready to go back together while I wait for those.

Small update

As you can see from the image above, I have attached the head and installed the water pump and timing belt.  Right now I am on a bit of a hold as I wait for some goodies that I was actually hoping to put off for a while but since I am putting the engine in I decided to go for it.  those include a 10lb fly wheel and a new clutch.  The clutch that is in there should still be in good shape because it really isn't all that old. but again... while I am in there I should probably just do it.


Other that that I have put the car up on ramps and will begin pulling things off to get it ready to be pulled. That should start this weekend assuming the weather isn't quite as bad as they are saying its going to be.

Until next time...

Engine Progress Update

I have spent the last few evenings working on getting the spare engine completed.  At this point, the head is together other then a few peripheral items like water lines, the cams are in.  Tonight I finished installing the oil pump and pan.


Tomorrow I will be putting the block back on the stand so that I can get to work on the front of the motor some more.  Namely installing the water pump and then the head.  Once the head it on, it's just a matter of putting on the new timing belt and making sure its all in line. after that, button it all up.

She's Dead, Jim

Well after a day of running at The Commons in Bozeman on the 9th of August.   We made it about 40 miles back from Bozeman and its looking like an exhaust valve has cracked on me.

Just spent the last hour running compression tests on all of the cylinders and pulling the valve cover.  Cylinders 1,2 and 4 are sitting about 160psi and cylinder 3 is sitting at a big fat 0.  after pulling the valve cover I have verified that there is nothing visibly broken there.

At this point it could be a cracked valve like we are thinking or it could be a broken valve seat.

Looks like I am done for the year with my car unless I can get the engine finished.



Below is a shot of the plugs in order.  Cylinder one is on the left.  Number three has a nice crusty build up on it.