Engine Tekniks to the rescue

Sat.25.10.08. Colin had requested that Chris should not begin to dismantle the block until he was able to assist, perhaps in the hope to verify his build by identifying and eliminating possible errors. The oil ways had become blocked somehow, probably by some ‘foreign body’, or remnants of residual rust caused by being ‘stood’ for 20 years. Although the block was cleaned thoroughly these damaging particles may have become dislodged, when the engine was first fired up, being dragged along through the cavities by the oil, similar to sediment on a river bed reluctantly becoming part of the flow but often accumulating in awkward places creating minute but critical blockages. Colin needed to find, for his own state of mind, an explanation for the calamity.

Mon.27.10.08. By taking the block and crank to Engine Tekniks may have salvaged some of Colin’s pride because it was revealed in the workshop that the original crank grind and re-bore had been flawed; either when originally machined or over the period of time when the car had been laid up. The tasks must therefore be re-done, the head skimmed, this time precisely and properly.

Disappointingly, however, but even more regrettably the Stage 2 head supplied by XRN engineering has been very poorly assembled. Only the exposed areas appear to have been polished, the valve guides have been inserted upside down, the ports have not been polished effectively to increase the gas flow, particularly in the throat, the bottom seat diameter has not been opened adequately creating a lip under the seat. On the whole the general build lacks care and attention to detail. It is even likely that, in this condition, it would decrease rather than increase performance. For around £400.00 this work is an abomination. A phone call is due, but the head was supplied on 27.10.06, as such I would find it very difficult to fight my corner. Subsequently, XRN will join the rest of the ‘ner do wells’ in the ‘fuck off’ bin.

Probably, the next move is to request the total build be undertaken at Westhoughton where quality is guaranteed, should recourse be necessary the company is local, it’s reputation  highly regarded. End of.  

The project seems to be plagued by bad luck. Considering the never ending search for quality throughout all of the building stages we have been repeatedly let down badly by manufacturers in addition to suppliers. It has been a constant battle making judgements of ‘choice’: trusting, mainly by status or recommendation when a new contact has been sourced. One simple rule, however, still applies, “When and where possible always support local business”. They speak the same language, are culpable, vulnerable to criticism but moreover are more than capable of ‘putting things right’.

Fri.31.10.08. With this plan of action Chris and I transported the head, main bearings, relevant gaskets and seals to Paul at Engine Tekniks. After only one meeting I feel convinced that he is more than competent of ‘putting things right’. He will farm the stage 2 head on to a colleague who is also similarly competent to undo the sloppy mess fashioned by XRN.  

The promise of completion this month has evaporated. The car will not be finished during November but I care not.