Project 180!

[Robin]

The previous owner flocked the whole dash, a really good job but does come off if you rub it by accident a few times.

Not done much for the pass couple of weeks, fitted a new thermostat housing as the old one was cracked, fitted an oil pressure gauge to complete whole stack gauge combo, they look good in the dark, really do get what you pay for most of the time.

Got a schrick 1341cc High Lift cam coming from Germany over xmas so that will be fitted before the clubpolo RR day at the end of Jan, bring on the ponies!

[hayesey]

those be some pimp gauges right there 

Random question, your IC, did it come with any rubber bushes on the pins on it to mount it?  If so did you use them?

[Robin]

I used the bungs mate

[Dan]

Certainly finishes it off with an oil pressure gauge, really like them !

[PeteG40]

yeah, those gauges do look quality!

[sohailG40]

car looks good 

gauges look fab 

and projects look good 

its all your hard work paying off mate well done 

[Robin]

thanks for the comments chaps!

bit of a set back today after a plug melted on cylinder one but the car will be back to together for the RR day at the end of Jan to give more ponies!

[sohailG40]

yeh good man thats wot us guyz like to hear 

[Robin]

Bit of an update on the old project 180!

As most you will know i killed the engine a couple of weeks ago due to a dodgy valve and valve seat combo.

instead of sorting out the problem in the car i decided to take the whole lot out and do a proper job with seals, gaskets etc, currently costing ALOT of wedge!

Spent another fortune at VW and eurocarparts getting new seals and gaskets etc. Got a new clutch from a place in Yorkshire which is going on seeing as the engine and gearbox is out.

Got hayes old head which i have cleaned and lapped the valves in and also put new stem seals in, got a new wtaer pump which is actually the correct one this time and cambelt.

Got a metal headgasket this time so it will give a higher compression ratio which should help towards hitting that 180bhp.

The engine is currently on an engine stand, did a few odds and ends but can't really do much more as i am expecting a new camshaft next week so the head will go on when that comes (the dreaded headbolt tightening process) and new tappets will also be fitted too.

So the plan is get the whole engine back to one piece next weekend and hopefully into the car ready for the weekend after for the clubpolo RR day but its going to be tight!

Here are some pics anyway.





Parts waiting to be mated to the engine



Couple of pics for Dan of the new clutch.

[cheddarcheese]

Nice little project! the flocked dash looks good!  That custom cross beam looks good but dont you think its abit weak would flex very easy why not get some box section there help stiffen the front end up?

[Dan]

Thanks for the Pics Robin  Does it look well make and up to the task ?

Project looks to be going well, I'm a bit behind you but doing the same sort of thing.

[Robin]

Yeah the clutch seems good quality, alot lighter than the original one so i don't know if it will last as long but time will tell, the materials seem to be nice quality.

Got all my stuff now to complete the 180 project, ordered the Aquamist last night so thats the last and final major mod i have got to shell out for.

[sohailG40]

that looks like a nice clean block and pistons

[Robin]

Bit of an update now.

Got my 1341cc camshaft so rebuilt the head last night and bolted it to the block, put a bit of oil onto the bolts and washers so they tightened up nice and smoothly, no squeeking!

Tonight the engine is all back together along with gearbox etc, all i need to do now is to borrow an engine crane and its ready to go into the car, gotta remember to top up the gearbox oil though!

Also got my aquamist kit through the post today so that'll be going on this weekend.

I'll get some pics up tomrrow.

[breadman]

Ah some good news at last Robin.
Lets hope that's it for nasty (expensive) surprises and everything comes together nicely now.
Keep us posted and plenty of pics to gawp at too.
Cheers,
Richard.