Last July I bought a 3.2 Elite, non runner. Cambelt failure, trashed valves. I took it apart to diagnose the problem (heads off) but then got rather unwell and haven’t really worked on a car since. On a few occasions I’ve opened the bonnet, taken one look and thought “sod that” and closed it again.
Last week I decided I need to make a start. I noticed that, where it’s been sat with the heads off, the bores have collected a light layer of surface rust.
I am not taking the lump out (I’m not sure I’ll ever do work of that magnitude again) but for my own satisfaction (and to enjoy the Elite!) I’d like to get this running again. So I decided it has 2 chances and I would clean the bores with some wet and dry.
That is what I’ve done. The end result is some very clean looking bores, but it has also removed some of the previous hone markings. The bores are now silky smooth to touch with a finger, but they look quite scratched. They are not scratched at all, to the touch / fingernail and are totally smooth.
After cleaning them I put a generous amount of oil in each one and turned the crank by hand - again, turns absolutely fine and smoothly with no undue resistance.
Do we think I’ll get away with it? Can’t imagine I’d have widened them enough for bore taper, or oil burning?
Of note there was no rust below any of the pistons, just above where they were sat.
Thanks for your thoughts. Hoping it can still be saved from the scrapper. It’s a nice example that has new sills etc and cream leather so I’d like to run about in her over the summer
