Thorn in my side with VVC

[gadget555]

Hi I have been on here for a while so I thought I should start a build log, I have had the project just over 2 years the previous owner had it over 3. It had a 1.6 engine with an r65 box, watsons front subframe, solid metro disc's, mini rack with extensions. I managed to get a complete MPI tank the other month just waiting for my brother to bring it up when he visits next month, the shell itself wasn't in too bad condition it needed a o/s/r 1/4 a few patches on the floor both inside and in the boot the rear arches have been tubbed and the n/s scuttle has also been replaced.
The servo has been relocated to the n/s a la Gazwad design which has worked out very well the front disc's have been changed to vented ones from a mg tf the rears have 3/4" cylinders and minifin drums, all bushes and suspension pins have been uprated or changed for new ones, new watsons rear space. I decided to change the engine for a 1.8 vvc 143 unit and frame that came up in the sale section unfortunately I was sold a dud the engine was fubar and it would of cost to much to repair so I sourced a low milage mg tf 160 from Glasgow so the project got a new hart, coming up for sale soon will be the vvc head and a k series conversion (subframe 1.6 engine r65 box and shortened linkage driveshaft's discs and callipers wilwood pull type clutch slave cylinder manifolds all that you would need towards a conversion).
Also purchased last month was a Torsen lsd uprated bearings and seal's to go into a c6 gearbox I will see how this goes with the 13" metro wheels not to sure on tyre size I could go 175/50/13 but I'm trying to work out if I can fit 175/60/13's if they will fit. At the moment I'm waiting for pay day so I can get some brake and fuel lines, then it will be on with the dreaded wiring my conundrum is that I have a mems 3 engine and all the bits and about 2' of wiring because it came out of a tf it hasn't got any bulkhead plugs so I can't connect it to the loom that came with the other vvc engine as that was mems 1.9 (2j) so will have to try and work it out somehow, sorry for rambling so much I just thought I would bring you up to date as today I have got it back on 4 wheels for the first time in over 5 years here are some photos of how it's gone so far enjoy as it has been a labour of love like most of our projects.

Gadget.


This is what came out of the fist engine that came from the NE of England


Servo link bar mod


1.6 engine and R65 box


Rack extensions £40 from Watsons

[gadget555]

Quick update I have been waiting for some uprated steel cage bearings for my gearbox and new seals so I could fit my torsen diff, anyway then turned up just after dinner today so off to the man cave I went. Out came the old seals and input shaft bearing in went the new ones with a little persuasion from a boiling kettle and a big hammer, no major issues until I realised that the 5 gear syncro came adrift when putting the gear kit and selectors back in a kwik check on the rave cd to see which way things went back and it all went fine from there. The casing just dropped into position, I took it back off applied some well's seal to the casing's and refitted it and bolted it all together, checked I could get all the gears and it was then put in a safe place until it's needed.


Did a little bit more this evening and fitted a new hand brake cable and adjusted the rear brakes up so I now have a working hand brake, still ages away from getting it running or even driving! but at least I have a hand brake that works

[ardonfast]

Nice to see your mini gadget ,
The gearbox pics are out of my league but I can say you will be glad of the handbrake while pushing and pulling on things in the future,

[Bram]

This is looking good I ll be keeping an eye on this to see how it comes along.

[gadget555]

Cheers Shaun, they are not to bad when you get your head round them! it does help that I used to build boxes and diffs for a rally car company I used to work for some 20 odd years ago a bit like riding a bike! (god she was good) you never forget but that's another story !!!

[gadget555]

Cheers Bram

[filski]

Hey Hey!!! Very nice indeed to see the photos of the progress there was me thinking that you spend all your life on eaby nice work bud keep 'em comming!

[MiniLandy]

Tidy build, watching with interest.

[gadget555]

Cheers guys my mrs thinks the same between flebay, here and the man cave I could be one my way to a divorce an I'm not even married yet! lol

[gadget555]

Just a small update today cleaned, ported & polished my 56mm tb.

[InstantCustard]

You know the 56mm requires modifying to be able to use it and is apparently too big and gives less gains than the 52mm.

[gadget555]

Ah I see, could you be a little bit more specific on how it needs modifying and how would it give less gains if it breath's more?

[terryg]

more air and you need more fuel ?

[InstantCustard]

http://forums.mg-rover.org/showthrea...+Throttle+Body

[InstantCustard]

The 56mm TB has the IACV built in, so you'll need to blank off the old IACV and wire up the one on the new TB and attach a small filter to the extra inlet on the TB.
For some reason, I have it in my head that the cable carrier springy roundly thingy needs to be modified or swapped for the K series one too.