Fubar to Great Car

Introduction:

This was never intended as an Engine Build Project Report but somehow it ended up that way! OK it's not a complete strip and rebuild but thats for next time maybe

After acquiring my 2nd r19 and 1st valver (exciting times!) back in July 2006 I'd straight away done bits and pieces on it by way of maintenance (changed fluids, belts, improved bodywork etc.) However the plan was always, when the time was right, to get my hands dirty and change the head gasket and other wear components in the engine, it having done 88k with zero attention for the last 8 years until I got it (incidentally, the head gasket had never been changed, nor had the cambelt snapped - I reckoned it was only a matter of time.)

As it turned out 2 weeks before I was going to start the car suddenly started to drink oil - a 300 mile round trip used 4 litres (and that was with a top up before the return journey when needs must eh,) hence it seemed like the right time to get things kicked off. Anyhow I thought it would be a great way to see exactly what went where on the mighty F7P engine whilst not having my car out of action for more than a weekend at most. How wrong would I be!

I spent months gathering the necessary parts and equipment whenever I saw them cheap:
Head Gasket Kit (£48 GSF)
Timing Belt (£18 GSF)
Aux Belt (cheap off ebay)
Water Pump (cheap off ebay, thanks Neal for the gasket!)
Oil Filter (ta again Neal!)
Head Bolts (£18 GSF)
Fluids (local factors)
Thermostat (cheap)
Other bits and pieces, too many to mention. Suffice to say I'd invested a few hundred before I even picked up a T55

I also picked up a ported head that was up for sale - its ancestry goes: jimbo (new), bbracer16valver, supersport, me! Paid £80 + delivery. It arrived with standard r19 cams and covered in filth. The bodged sensor hole wasn't to be discovered until later!

The whole operation was scheduled for May bank holiday - plenty of light and a long weekend.