Cursa B - Was supposed to be a mini project but here we are!

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Envoy CDX
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Re: Mini project aka The Winter Car

Post by Envoy CDX »

Robsey wrote:Don't tell the woman of the house but a good 90 degree wash in the dishwasher makes most stuff come up a treat.

40 degree wash for plastic lenses and trim pieces. :cool

Just be careful to give the dishwasher a good clean out when you're done.
Nothing worse than eating your sunday roast off a plate tasting of old engine oil. :?

Lucky for me, I do all the domestic chores in our house, so the missus is never the wiser ;)
Priceless, I'm not brave enough to try!
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Re: Mini project aka The Winter Car

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Adamw5433 wrote:Can you remmeber what size the vented / grooved discs that i have laid up in the back of your red Cav?
They been stood for 4 year, but still sealed and still in protective oil.

Adam
really should have took that offer up. They got weighed in :(
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Re: Mini project aka The Winter Car

Post by Envoy CDX »

So, need to locagte anothe valve spring compressor.. The one I have just won't budge the sprinngs to get the collets off the valves :(
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btcctroy
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Re: Mini project aka The Winter Car

Post by btcctroy »

You need to first clamp it then wind the adjuster for maximum pressure
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Re: Mini project aka The Winter Car

Post by planetc »

I don't bother with a compresser for removal, only refitting. You often find the collets are stuck to the cap and a sharp bang with a piece of tube and a hammer will free them and allow the collets to jump out. Just make sure the valve has clearance under the head not to hit anything as you hit it. A couple of timber blocks each end would do.
"No the temperature gauge doesn't work........
we've driven 150 miles today........
the heater went cold last Thursday........
they check the level when it's serviced don't they?"
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btcctroy
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Re: Mini project aka The Winter Car

Post by btcctroy »

planetc wrote:I don't bother with a compresser for removal, only refitting. You often find the collets are stuck to the cap and a sharp bang with a piece of tube and a hammer will free them and allow the collets to jump out. Just make sure the valve has clearance under the head not to hit anything as you hit it. A couple of timber blocks each end would do.
I Can tell your old lol
That's certainly a trick of the trade
....with a brew and my favourite biscuits.
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Envoy CDX
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Re: Mini project aka The Winter Car

Post by Envoy CDX »

btcctroy wrote:You need to first clamp it then wind the adjuster for maximum pressure
Now I really feel stupid.
planetc wrote:I don't bother with a compresser for removal, only refitting. You often find the collets are stuck to the cap and a sharp bang with a piece of tube and a hammer will free them and allow the collets to jump out. Just make sure the valve has clearance under the head not to hit anything as you hit it. A couple of timber blocks each end would do.
Ah! That makes sense too.
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Re: Mini project aka The Winter Car

Post by Robsey »

Could have been worse - you could have clamped it on the wrong way up.
So that the valve head foot is pressing on the end of the stem.

Although I have not heard of anyone doing that.

Also - if I'd used Paul's method, I would probably have sent collets flying in all directions, never to be found again.
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Re: Mini project aka The Winter Car

Post by planetc »

The trick is to hold the tube (a plug socket works well) firm against the cap, then hit with the hammer, keeping it firm. The collets then remain contained within the socket. There was a tool made with a magnet in the end for the purpose but I haven't seen one for years.
"No the temperature gauge doesn't work........
we've driven 150 miles today........
the heater went cold last Thursday........
they check the level when it's serviced don't they?"
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Re: Mini project aka The Winter Car

Post by Envoy CDX »

Well, spent a few hours yesterday on this.

Slapped the valve springs with a rubber mallet and set to with the compressor. 30 minutes later it was all stripped down.
Anything that needs to be cleaned is sat in my gunk tank and the valves (well 6 of them) have been lapped back in, 1 exhaust and 1 inlet need to be replaced as someone has scored them - they took some getting out.

Needless to say, the valves were disgraceful, I had to chip off the deposits (some around 3-4mm in thickness) before I could lap the valves back in - how that ran in the Astra I really don't know.

Cleaned up the mating face, though not sure if I am going to get it skimmed or not currently, it seems flat.
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btcctroy
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Re: Mini project aka The Winter Car

Post by btcctroy »

Id be checking the valve guides if there's that much crap. Especially on the exhaust side.
Wiggle the valve in the guide before you put the spring and collets back in
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Re: Mini project aka The Winter Car

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btcctroy wrote:Id be checking the valve guides if there's that much crap. Especially on the exhaust side.
Wiggle the valve in the guide before you put the spring and collets back in
I did, there is no movement. The other valves glide back in with no resistance. As I was worried about the guides too.
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Re: Mini project aka The Winter Car

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Been informed thar the new valves have arrived so hopefully will be lapping them in at the weekend and putting the head back together
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Re: Mini project aka The Winter Car

Post by humbucker »

The title of this thread always has me fooled into thinking that you're working your magic on a Mini. And then I remember that I've made a mistake. Again. :lol:
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Re: Mini project aka The Winter Car

Post by Robsey »

humbucker wrote:The title of this thread always has me fooled into thinking that you're working your magic on a Mini. And then I remember that I've made a mistake. Again. :lol:
Well sort of -
It is Vauxhall's version of a mini. :p

But according to Gary, it has either been winter for nigh on 24 months,
Or he uses a push bike or a skateboard during the other three seasons each year.
:scratch
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Re: Mini project aka The Winter Car

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humbucker wrote:The title of this thread always has me fooled into thinking that you're working your magic on a Mini. And then I remember that I've made a mistake. Again. :lol:
Ha, working? magic? :thumb
But I may have to rethink the tiitle.
Robsey wrote:
humbucker wrote:The title of this thread always has me fooled into thinking that you're working your magic on a Mini. And then I remember that I've made a mistake. Again. :lol:
Well sort of -
It is Vauxhall's version of a mini. :p

But according to Gary, it has either been winter for nigh on 24 months,
Or he uses a push bike or a skateboard during the other three seasons each year.
:scratch
No fair...
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Re: Mini project aka The Winter Car

Post by Envoy CDX »

Well, threw another 2 tyres at the corsa, re-tracked it (again). Found a couple of suspect bushes so swapped them out too
Stuck a new spring on the passenger side rear - should be ok for test.
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Re: Mini project aka The Winter Car

Post by Robsey »

Cool -

I am sure that it should more or less fly through the test, if you have sorted all the obvious stuff
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Re: Mini project aka The Winter Car

Post by Envoy CDX »

Well, I'm hoping so.
Need to finish doing some wiring mods for the new loom and go from there really.

October 21st is MOT day so may book in in next weekend and see how it goes.
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Re: Mini project aka The Winter Car

Post by Envoy CDX »

So, booked it in for test on the 17th, and it failed..


10% efficieny on the hand brake (worn cables, a leaky drum cylinder)
And a hole in the sill, and another in the rear floor.

So, its been patched, rear brakes and cables have been sorted / replaced.
All in all, Another years ticket for less than 90quid!

Job, jobbed! :thumb
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Re: Mini project aka The Winter Car

Post by Robsey »

Good news fella.

holes are good for drainage - lol

brakes? - pah, they just slow you down :-P
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Re: Mini project aka The Winter Car

Post by Envoy CDX »

Rear bench has been removed for transportation reasons :D
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Re: Mini project aka The Winter Car

Post by Robsey »

That's the problem with a Corsa -
You have to remove the rear seats to fit your cav repair parts in.
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Re: Mini project aka The Winter Car

Post by Envoy CDX »

Robsey wrote:That's the problem with a Corsa -
You have to remove the rear seats to fit your cav repair parts in.
I can't complain, the wee bitch has been a good loyal servant for 3 years.
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Re: Mini project aka The Winter Car

Post by Robsey »

We'll be able to do a comparison on Sunday.
Everything is snuggly crammed into the boot of my Cav ready.

Corsa's are generally good cars -
Assuming that the dash clocks connector is secured properly.
They have a nasty habit of coming loose on Corsa b's and c's.

Cable tie for the win ;)
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