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[mattg]

Bit more fame for Frank in the mail no less....

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-1386670/Ramshackle-Rally-2011-Driving-Calais-Valencia.html

[mattg]

So, Billing is approaching so we thought we'd get the base colour of our "Elephant patrol" vehicle sorted.



Old bootlid ready to come off (loads of holes in it from the coal scuttle last year)







And off..







New one on..







Sidestrips Silkaflexed back on (along with the new side repeater) and sides keyed down...







Paint going on...











Few more coats..







Back on with the lights and other bits and bobs..



















Spare wheel will be going here...







And there we are for the day. Next up is headgasket change and then we can start on the Elephant

[feeutfo]

Amazing it's disappeared, an invisible omega. 

[geoffr70]

looks like that NATO IR resistant/reflective whatever paint.

[x25dt]

Nice military green I like it

[mattg]

Well, good old Vauxhall again! They have just donated us a head gasket set 

Just need to fit it before Billing now! oh, and get Frank Re-MOT'd, no pressure then!

[The Red Baron]

good stuff matt. 

[M]

Great news that Vauxhall are helping out again Matt and a pleasure to meet you the other day too, wheels/tyres lovely mate cheers

 

[mattg]

Great news that Vauxhall are helping out again Matt and a pleasure to meet you the other day too, wheels/tyres lovely mate cheers

 

You too mate, such a small world 

[twiglet]

I'm sure you have a reason matt, but why have you left the side skirts black yet painted the bottom of the bumpers?

Hopefully see you at Billing! 

[mattg]

I'm sure you have a reason matt, but why have you left the side skirts black yet painted the bottom of the bumpers?

Hopefully see you at Billing! 

there's a very good reason... not quite sure what it is though lol.


Right then, having missed Billing due to not getting the head gasket done, we're going to push for TV live...

So, the mighty Ecotec..



Plugs out and looking a little oily, might have to do the valve stem seals while the head is off although oddly it doesn't use oil?



Off with the fuel rail and throttle body..





and off with the inlet manifold...



Then we removed the exhaust manifold.. (enough to get the head off anyway...



And off with the timing belt once the cams were in the recommended position to spread the load across the valves for cam removal..



And then we ran out of time as we only had a spare couple of hours this morning.

In the week, we'll get the head off and have it skimmed then will refit with the new head gasket!

Observations.... this isn't the first time this has been done on this engine.

[mattg]

Soooooo, had the head skimmed today and it was properly wonky. According to the chap that skimmed it he reckons it's been done BADLY more than once. We have a slight piston/valve interface so two head gaskets it is lol

Lot's more progress in the next two weeks as that's when we're off!

[blackviper90210]

Your making good progress and thats what counts!  Keep up the excellent work and keep the pictures coming - Good old Frank 

[mattg]

Thanks Mate, the charity page is now set up and ready to go. No pressure but if anyone wants to donate, the link is

www.justgiving.com/bigtrunk

Once again raising money for Keech cottage Hospice in Luton.

[mattg]

MOT passed!! Just needed a windscreen wiper!