Well, strictly my second. We did rebuild the top end of a nice elite, which didn't run to well afterwards, but that was before I'd learned so much from this forum (including how to do V6 cam timing!!)
Ok, I've got a new project. Mr MB uses numbers for his projects, and Tunnie uses letters, so I guess I need to use something different! Ideas welcome.
Anyhow, this is the car. It's a Vauxhall Omega (of course!) 2.0 litre 16v GLS. Normally I wouldn't entertain playing with a 2.0 because I love the V6's so much, however there's something really special about this one. I saw it on ebay, about 10 miles from me, so today I took the Mrs and went for a drive to look over it before bidding.
This is a 1995 car, and to be honest I don't think I've even seen a T or a V reg Omega in such nice condition. The bodywork on it is nothing but A1, without the smallest of marks on it and not a spec of rust. It's been so well looked after throughout. The interior looks like it's never even been sat in, it's got a whole "new car" sense about it inside and out.
It has 80k miles on the clock, which I guess is low for an Omega. And pretty much full service history.
What's the catch? Well, it doesn't run! So it was on sale as a non-runner. Stil has half it's MOT though.
The owner didn't know a lot about cars and just wanted shot of it after buying something new, but he did tell me the problem was terminal. He said he heard a really nasty metallic noise and the car wouldn't go. I immediately thought timing belt failure, but I was wrong. On inspection the belt and tensioners are fine - almost new in fact with reciept to prove. On a closer inspection, we found part of a bearing shell, wedged near the RH engine mounting. So in summary, the bottom end is buggered.
As some of you may know, I have an old 2.0 Omega sat on the drive doing nothing, because the bodywork etc is shot. However - engine in it runs fine! So, I feel an engine transplant coming on.
The cylinder head on the project car has recently been overhauled, with all brand new valves and followers, so I'm going to pray this is still ok and can be used. I'm then going to fit this decent head onto the good bottom end of the other engine, and fit my newly constucted engine back in the project car.
Then, I'm going to change the water pump, and possibly timing belt and tensioners, and hopefully I'll have a(nother) really nice running tidy Omega.
If it all goes well and I can get it running perfectly, then because it's so mint, I am considering having a go at converting it to run on LPG myself, but this will come later.
Here are some pics:
I'll be upfront and tell you that I paid £100 in cash for this car. I plan to spend about another £100 on getting it running, to include new head gasket etc in the rebuild. I'm 98% confident that I can do all of this sucesfully, but if not, what have I lost? Nothing, because I could break it for more than £100 if it came to it! If it goes well, what have I gained? An absolute mint Omega, fully overhauled, for £200!!
Obviously I'll keep you updated with pics of work and progress!
Off to eBay now, to look at engine cranes.....
