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61

General Car Chat / Re: Senator A2.

« on: 04 April 2017, 16:47:17 »

anything suspect found ?

Nothing really-apart from lashings of sealant-hoping it is this and possibly not getting the torques settings spot on as I used the later angle method. Awaiting a new HG and will pop it back on. Now have a chain block to lower it back on so should be easier. I've also removed the large redundant air-con pipes from the rear of the engine-this gives better access to the rear two bolts. These two bolts are near the rear oil drain so if not correct torque could have resulted in a leak.

Thanks

Steve

62

General Car Chat / Re: Senator head bolts torque

« on: 03 April 2017, 19:13:12 »

This is out of a later Senator Haynes manual-E to L reg.

Stage 1
60 Nm  45 lb foot

Stage 2
angle tighten a further 90 to 100 degrees

Step 3
wait 10 mins

angle tighten to a further 30 to 40 degrees.

When I lined up the timing marks, the cam was in the correct position for the bolts to go in and out.
The major problem I have is access to the two rear bolts-very tight against the bulkhead.

I'm going to try Derek's version as my car is a 1983.

Hope this helps

Steve

63

General Car Chat / Re: Senator head bolts torque

« on: 03 April 2017, 19:07:29 »

I'll dig out the process on later cars-on my way!

Steve

64

General Car Chat / Re: Senator head bolts torque

« on: 03 April 2017, 18:26:58 »

This is from ABS (from the excellent Derek)

"Anyway I've used 74 lb/ft (100 Nm) and used head bolts all these years and never had any problems. There is no mention of any angle tightening. Just do them up in three equal stages, 25, 50 and 74 lb ft. make sure the two locating studs in the top of the block haven't fallen out or rusted away. Ideally you should use new bolts (I wouldn't use old bolts on alloy heads such as the 24v) but the big cast iron 12v head seems to be pretty robust, the bolts too, and the biggest problem when working on these engines is being careful not to mess up the splines on the torx headed bolts. Even with the hex headed bolts it is a good idea to clean crud out before undoing them, especially on an engine that hasn't seen many oil changes. If you balls one of the bolts up it is a major drama trying to extract it, and i've seen a few of those."

I used the later method (I had a later Senator Haynes manual) where you torque up the bolts then rotate by so many degrees wait and repeat rotation. I think this may be one of the reasons my head gasket let go.

I'm going to use Dereks method above-I also read the 1978-1984 Carlton Haynes manual and it mirrors what Derek says.

Chris (CIH) will be along soon-he is an expert on these engines.

Steve

65

General Car Chat / Re: It had to be done. Mercedes content

« on: 02 April 2017, 08:53:58 »

Very nice indeed. I've fancied these since they came out.

What engine size is it?

Regards

Steev

66

General Car Chat / Re: Worst day in the garage for a while

« on: 28 March 2017, 19:06:18 »

Changing the points on my fathers 3.0 Granada-then starting the engine only to realise the ratchet and socket were still attached to the crank bolt.

67

General Car Chat / Re: Senator A2.

« on: 28 March 2017, 18:38:40 »

Thanks Andy-I thought of that as I didn't fully drain the system-but I did change the oil after I put the head back on.

Thanks

Steve

68

General Car Chat / Re: Senator A2.

« on: 28 March 2017, 11:01:26 »

Nothing obvious at the moment Chris-I'm hoping that there was too much sealant-I then dropped the splined socket and it took an hour to get it back-so the sealant wasn't compressed initially as it should have been. Might also have nocked the gasket-will take it off after and have a good look-cannot think of anything else it could be .

Regards

Steev

69

General Car Chat / Re: Senator A2.

« on: 27 March 2017, 19:50:18 »

Thanks Dr!
Definitely no sealant next time. Funnily enough a neighbour also suggested using studding-an excellent idea!

Regards

Steve

70

General Car Chat / Re: Senator A2.

« on: 27 March 2017, 19:08:06 »

Thought I'd have a "quick" look at the Senator after I got home. Two hours later I ended up with this.



I'm getting good at this-must be the practise.

One problem I saw was a hole blocked with sealant (wont be using it again!)



No other obvious faults-"O" ring was in place



I'm thinking too much paste and the fact I couldn't do the head bolts up for at least an hour as I dropped the splined socket into the head.

another pic



steve

71

General Car Chat / Re: Senator A2.

« on: 27 March 2017, 11:12:49 »

Thanks Mark-may have torn the gasket.

Steve

72

General Car Chat / Re: Senator A2.

« on: 27 March 2017, 10:44:09 »

Thanks Chris-it's £12 a gallon from Wilkinsons-I'll see if they do it in bulk online. I'm sure it must be the o ring-as I said we had a lot of hassle getting it on the lugs-constant moving, lifting etc-I was a bit concerned at the time. I'll get a chain block and gently lower it this time. Will also check the gasket to see if any anomalies. But as I said-what a smooth engine!
I've still only spent about £850 including the purchase price for -apart from the doors (4 spares came with it)-a very solid car.

Regards

Steve

73

General Car Chat / Re: Senator A2.

« on: 26 March 2017, 19:51:20 »

Thanks Chris-will have a good look when I take it off -will rig up a chain lift next time so I can gently lower the head into position. I think we were too rough initially-had a big problem lining up the lugs-with the constant toing and froing I think the front O ring may have been displaced.. There are also some big pipes going across the rear of the engine over an inch in diameter-they are to do with the air con so will remove these as well. The only other concern I have is with the rear 2 head bolts-may have to modify a socket or two to try and get the torque wrench on properly.

On a positive-when I drove it this morning it was extremely smooth (if a little tappet-I only adjusted 3 or 4) and quite powerful.

Thanks again

Steve

74

General Car Chat / Re: This made you buy a Marina in 1975.

« on: 26 March 2017, 13:50:49 »

Love it!
Brother had a later V12 XJS-super car!

I bought a 3500SD1 manual-not a patch performance wise compared to my previous P6 3500S.

Cousin bought a Belgium built Allegro 1750HLS in about 1981-it was two years old. Within a year the engine mounting bolts were pulling through the very rusty chassis.

Steve

75

General Car Chat / Re: Senator A2.

« on: 26 March 2017, 10:49:11 »

Round 2!
Now with a bit more room.