I’ve spent a significant amount of time sourcing genuine Irmscher body kit components, sorting the MV6’s interior, redesigning its rear end and introducing suspension and chassis upgrades since hauling the ol’ bus out of storage, but its most important features remain parked on my garage floor. Yup, I’m talking about the car’s engine and transmission.
My donor MV6 provided a healthy R28 five-speed manual gearbox (in addition to a propshaft, pedals and leather), and I managed to get hold of a low mileage 3.2-litre V6 powerplant. The time has finally come to refresh both units, and I’ve been collecting a variety of parts accordingly.
New genuine GM equipment to arrive at Château Furr includes a clutch kit, timing belt kit, thermostat housing, coolant transfer pipe, filters, water pump, water pipework, expansion tank, head bolts and studs, a spin-on oil filter convertor, radiator plug, sump gasket, various O-rings and sealing compounds. I’ve also bought a cylinder head refurbishment kit comprising valve stem seals and gaskets (heads, cam covers, camshafts, exhaust manifolds, upper and lower inlet manifolds, plenum etc.), a K&N air filter, a Courtenay Sport cool-running thermostat, a lightweight C20XE flat-type flywheel and a Retropower clutch spacer kit.
The car was treated to genuine dealer-fit parts including a new oil cooler, cam covers, breather box, downpipes, catalytic convertors and cat-back exhausts a few weeks before I bought it, and it’s nice to know that these items are more-or-less as good as new. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said of my Irmscher Sport Stars; the process of equipping the 18-inchers with new tyres has caused some of the recently-applied wheel tinting spray film to peel away. In light of this, I’ve decided to have each alloy professionally refurbished and powdercoated. Wrapped in their Richbrook carrying bags, they’re en route to a facelift as I write this project update.
If all goes according to plan, my next progress report will feature an MV6 powered under its own stream and rolling on a stunning set of Sport Stars. Wish me luck!
THANKSK&N Filters
01925 636950
http://www.knfilters.comAutobrite Direct
01782 623819
http://www.autobritedirect.co.ukAn initial stockpile of parts that is destined to assist with the overhaul of the MV6's powertrain:
My new cool-running thermostat arrived, but it was bent out of shape! As you'd expect, Courtenay Sport sent me a replacement the very next day. Bravo!
Time to crack on with the car's replacement Y32SE:
Filthy doesn't even come close to describing how much crud was stuck to the bottom of the engine. This picture doesn't fully illustrate how bad it was:
Fortunately, this arrived:
Tadaa! Autobrite Direct engine/engine bay cleaning solutions:
I also managed to coin a dealer-issue Kent-Moore V6 cam locking kit for the bargain price of just £40:
Did somebody say 'cam cover leak'?!
And now, on with the stripdown:
I'm going to fit new valve stem seals and change the head gaskets while I clean up the engine's cylinder heads. I might as well do the work before the lump finds its way beneath the car's bonnet. Off with its heads!
LOTS of scrubbing, Autobrite gear, carb cleaner and a whole lotta patience later:
And now to treat the car's new gearbox to some love:
Before the pressure washer had attacked it:
Lots more scrubbing, cleaning and brushing followed. Eventually, it was time to crack open the Hammerite! Two or three coats of silver/black just about did the trick (silver for the gearbox casing, black for the brackets, propshaft, inner bellhousing, block etc.):
(My sensor keeps telling me fluid is low when its not !!!)
