Bloody hell what a prick of a job !! I am stuffed. Lower plenum off, (removed the front stud so I didnt have to take the cam gears off). Bloody EGR had to be cut off. I knew I should have pulled it off last time when I had the box off. I can now tell you, you can replace the 2 rear metal heater pipes without pulling the gear box out . The thermostat rear housing does come out, But you need a rachet ring spanner to get the front bolt which is under the drivers side cylinder head. The surface on the block where the housing bolts was pretty corroded, So this had been leaking for quite a while. I should have 100% cooling system after this. Injectors are cleaned and back in, just have to reroute the PCV pipes and turbo coolant pipes and reassemble. :thumbup: Think I might paint the plenum wrinkle black before I put it back on. Just have to weld up the holes in the flanges and the bung for the EGR and finish cleaning the PCV's. Did I say how much I really dislike working on cars
any pics or info on how you did this graham??? last time i took the lower plenum off looked like there was no way in hell you could take the stud out would be good info for others aswell
Getting the stud out the front was easy. Screw the nut back on after the roller is off. then thread another nut in front and tighten them up to lock the back nut in. Then undo with the back nut using a ring spanner. The plenum is only alloy so it isnt going to grip the hardened bolt too much. Use lock tight when you put it back. Removing the lower plenum was a bit tough as I forgot the EGR valve bolts to the back of it. So I had to unbolt it and all the pipes etc. That is what took the most time. Cut the EGR feed pipe off the exhaust manifold with an air hack saw close to the flare nut. Then undid the EGR flare nut with a 22mm socket. Came out easy. Had to pull the heater steel pipes off first. Both are OK to get to with the lower plenum off. So this is now NOT an engine out job. Rachet ring spanners FTW. I doubt you could do half I did today without them, You couldnt remove the thermostat housing without a 12mm one. Probably why no one managed to do this before. I noticed the exhaust cam covers are slightly leaking so will remove and reseal them before going too much further.
new sig pick too Chris, I approve of that i'm also doing my plenum in a wrinkle finish but i'm not telling anyone what colour yet. So nerrrrr
I am thinking about coming along too..but will depend if I can get the day off from work.. Think Craig's Uncle Robbie is gonna try and run his Ford up there..had a few laps at Winton as a passenger in his Charger a few years back..was awesome fun ... If I do happen to make it, is it the whole protective gear thing? Eg. Helmet, long sleeves?
good stuff ren ... it would be good to see you on the track.. and now to get the other girls to come .. you know who you are !!!!!!!!!!
Looks like I'll be right for this one too. Car is in pieces for at moment and should be back and running (no leaks finally) and able to have a full day of fun.
I just bought one of these: link same camera as was used to film this but it's got wide angle lens: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-5KSwzuzfY I'll lend it to anyone who's on the track, I can stick it to your cars and turn it backwards so that we can see graham's face as he's being overtaken.
i want a passenger ride in your car too are you bringing the road car or the track car? anyone can have it, we'll just have to make sure we're not all on the track at the same time.
