Right - it was time to see what the damage of 40 years plus has done to the engine specially after the water came out of the sump the other day.

This engine is so heavy I cannot lift it, so had to make a small bracket and use the engine hoist to lift it and undo the bolts to the sump cover.


Managed to get them all undone with out bother. The sump cover has two metal surrounds to clamp the cover to the block, under the crap they were nicely painted in original green.


Inside the sump was a bit of a nightmare.


But after scooping it all out and cleaning it looks a bit better. There are some tiny little fissures (holes) in the base but they do not go through. Hoping these will be OK as the cover is pretty thick and sturdy.


There is a bit of surface rust on everything but when I undid the piston rod the white metal bearings were shiny and the surface was smooth, plenty of depth left of them too. These are expensive to replace so I may have got away with it.
Looks like all the pistons are rusted stuck in the sleeves though

In the last picture is the engine upside down i suppose?
Like this topic a lot !

Yep - engine is upside down - that is the oil filter and pump.

Nightmare of a strip down so far - the pistons are definitely welded to the piston sleeves (jupes).

I had to try and reduce the weight of this monster so I could work on it.

So off came the clutch, in pieces, which I then spent a good 30 mins putting it all back together, but at least now I know how it works

I am hoping to get this re-surfaced along with my brake shoes.


Timing chain cover next. I think this chain is a little slack. I am sure there is a chain tensioner device that is made for these now - I must investigate further.


So off with the piston arm rear bracket (I need to learn the proper terms) and I then knocked the pistons downwards which in turn took out the whole piston sleeve. I think the bearings are fine, no scoring just a few stains - anyone able to comment on this


All the pistons and sleeves out now


Leaving an empty crank shaft. But now I need to take the timing chain off and remove the crank and the camshaft from the block. But I need bigger tools - 38, 40 and 46mm sockets to get these BIG nuts off.

Big End bearing caps :D

If you want somebody to come and do your day job for you, whilst you work on the Traction, just let me know!

P.S. Happy birthday!

Must be my birthday today. Just received some new tools so I can start dismantling the front end of the car.

Plus I got 4 new tires and inner tubes from Longstone Tyres in the UK. Free delivery and 2 days to get here, can't beat that, specially as I can buy VAT free on the business (another ancient support car for the cycling trips )

Quicker than I'll get them delivered to Shetland.

I am trying to get a lot of the dismantling done before I head off on our cycle tours (starting in Nice and then over to Corsica) - tough life, no, I mean it - getting old now so legs feel the pain

So I emptied the engine after quite some effort. First time I have done this job on any engine, normally I stop at the head.

Bought a piston kit from the Bourse d'Exchange in Tarbes this past weekend. they had every part I needed but I had to be disciplined as I am not ready for 99% of them. Great Bourse though, probably the best in the area.

Taking the engine off to Toulouse for it to be cleaned , flattened and hopefully have unleaded valve seats put in, plus have the piston sleeves installed.

Some before shots before going.

At last I have found someone who can repair, clean and work on engine blocks and heads.

And the guy didn't even dismiss me with a sigh, tut or a huff...... (I have been living in France too long)

I have left my engine with the to be cleaned, the surfaces inspected and levelled and the head to have the valve seats changed out for non leaded. They will also put in the piston sleeves for me

A good trip up to Toulouse for once.