Match analysis

Thurs.23.10.08. The DVLA has written requesting that the vehicle should be brought Thurs to their offices on Wednesday 29.10.08 for an inspection to verify the legitimacy of the chassis and engine numbers. Fat chance. I managed to contact ‘Brigid Manifauld’ to re-arrange the inspection much later. She was very cooperative casually informing me to ‘let her know’ when the car was ready, she would then alter the appointment.

Chris has taken the crank, oil pump and what remains of the shells to Paul at ‘Engine Tekniks’ of Westhoughton. After one hour of dialogue, scrutiny, conjecture and ‘head scratching’ nobody could agree or answer why the bottom end had become so starved of oil to generate such damage. The ‘dodgy’ shells provided by Paddocks possess sound provenance, being ‘Vanderbilt’, they are perhaps as good as anyone could buy; the crank also was in prime condition as was the oil pump, so it has not been a failure of poorly engineered parts The sensible outcome seems to involve regrinding the crank, replacing the shells but also, more importantly, stripping the block down in preparation for a pressurised steam decontamination, therefore, comprehensively cleaning the entire carcase. If this procedure exposes an internal crack, which can only be revealed under such conditions, or when the engine runs, then there lies the problem, but if not, it is back to scratching heads. Colin and Chris hoped that stripping the block could be avoided but they will now accept the advice of Paul who strongly recommends this course of action. This methodology seems very sensible, for many reasons. 

The past few days has thrown everyone into a dreadful down ward spiral. Stepping back to consider re-building the entire ‘short engine’, is a bitter pill to swallow, but it is the only way that we can be sure that ‘everything is ok’. Colin especially is feeling particularly uncomfortable because it was his expertise that we relied upon to assemble the unit. Given the difficulty of extricating the engine from the car when it eventually returns it must be ‘bomb proof’. Oil must flow, water must circulate; it must have a long, long undisturbed life.

It is certainly time to put all egos on hold, to continue the work thoughtfully, but furthermore, diligently.