Nathan's Road-Legal/Track BB4

[Merlin]

Is any part of the head modified? Like you say you could fill it and take the temp reading from somewhere else. The bleed nipple location on the thermostat housing is the next best place. Or tap a new hole on the head?

[NafemanNathan]

Yeah numerous options really. I'm sure I can make it work better to suit my wire tuck as well

Is any part of the head modified?

Yeah it's an a7 head with a professional race spec port and polish.

[Lude-dude]

do you need the special tool to remove the valves?

[NafemanNathan]

do you need the special tool to remove the valves?

Yes, I bought one of these...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271357236749? ... 1439.l2649

Much cheaper than some other options (You can even pay tens times the amount for this exact version) but it worked a treat!

I have actually designed an adjustable version based on the HPT tool...



... but I wanted the cups from the tool I bought to save on manufacturing costs.

I thought I'd give it a go anyway (As why not?!) and it worked perfectly, so no need to make one

[wurlycorner]

Yeah initially I just... ...gave one of the ports a scrub with a toothbrush (Stace's)

I'll have a look and see what I can do though. It's obviously soft enough, so I might just go straight for the drill

I would. Considering you've got really clear access, it's already hollow (so the drill will be guided straight) and it's a through hole rather that a blind hole (so obvious when you've gone to the right depth). Work up in small stages until the walls that are left are thin enough to peel away from the head, using long nose pliers.

I would get another OEM sensor and put it back in so you have the OEM water temp gauge as well.

This ^^^^
Because the engine sits at varying temps all round and the head is the area that will overheat first, so that's what you want to monitor - to get soonest warning so you can act before it's too late. Sandwich plate would be slower reacting.

[NafemanNathan]

Good points

[NafemanNathan]

Diluted 50/50 or not Rob, the results aren't bad ...

Fresh out of the tub and the exhaust ports looked like this...









But after a quick scrubbing sess with a pretty soft toothbrush (Max's), the results are this...







Cleanest exhaust port...



Dirtiest...



Where the temp sender snapped off...



And where it comes through...



I think it should be pretty straight forward to remove.











And then the biggest difference!...





Very happy with the results I may still give it a spray of etch primer and paint though

One question I have...

Does anyone recognise these?...





I found them both in the sink after I emptied the tub Can't think what they'd be for or if they were even supposed to be in there! Also, the plug wasn't in the sink, so I don't know if there were any more

[Ted]

You want to get and do some proper work on that car, look how clean your finger is

[NafemanNathan]

That's because they've been sat in degreaser for two evening on the trott!

[wurlycorner]

Are you replacing the valve stem seals? Rubber bits can get badly affected by being soaked in degreasers (go all soft and such like).

Are those 2 mystery objects magnetic, by any chance? The black one in particular looks like the end of a magnetic sump plug?