TimD

Confirmed a head gasket or similar. Will attempt to get the head off this weekend, any tips?

That's what I'm readying myself for at the minute, back out in it on the 16th of November too.

http://youtu.be/T_zL19Vq05Y >http://youtu.be/Sb0jMqobO5I

Having it tested on Thursday, see what's what.

I guess then, the first thing I need to do is check that there are or aren't any gasses getting into the system? If there are, it's either the head gasket, or something more terminal.

What's the solution? Just a larger expansion tank? Technically it's an overflow tank mind you.

It's got a D1 Spec rad cap fitted to it at the moment, not sure if it's 1.1 or 1.3bar, I'll have to double check. It seems to be pushing water into the expansion tank, but then not pulling it back through as the radiator is low too.

Head gasket? Doesn't over heat though, just fills the bloody tank and spits it out of the overflow. Only does it when on track, seems fine just sat idling.

It's the clasp that fails, not the bolt, or any of the anchor points. The material use in the actual harness is I'm sure fine and dandy, it's the more important stuff like the clasps and buckles which have failed. Don't kid yourself into thinking that fitting one of these things is OK.

The worst part about this, is that a lot of you will be fitting fake harnesses on both driver and passenger sides. Who do you think will be to blame if or when you have an accident and your passenger is killed due to a failed safety device? The world is full of absolute morons, and there are a fair few on here, sticking up for fake stuff. Get back in the sea..

Didn't even realise folks were making fake Sparco and Sabelt stuff, just goes to show that buying second hand safety equipment is a pretty dangerous game!

Haha! Thanks, I did MTFU in the end. Worked up to it though, 120, 130, 140, 155. Bolt is still in on piece!!

According to what's on that there internet, I have to tighten this to 155nm. Set my torque wrench to said torque and had a go, couldn't get it to click, are rather daren't. I'm a fairly strong chap, and it wouldn't be the first time I've snapped something from over tightening!! Any advice?

I have to leave mine covered at track days unless it's the middle of summer, I suspect our little cars are quite efficient at cooling without the need for an oil cooler. I really wouldn't bother for a road car, you'd really have to be pressing on for a long period of time for it to become a problem.

Mine minus doors, interior wiring loom and fuel tank weighed 728kgs I think we weighed the doors with glass, window motors, etc at ~25kgs each, wiring loom will be a couple of kilos, maybe less there's not a lot of it left. I think 750 is achievable, wouldn't want to be used much on the road at that weight though. I've not weighed mine since I replaced the glass with plastics, there is also scope to replace panels with fiberglass ones, such as the front wings, bonnet and rear hatch. They are a light car, wouldn't want to have a big crash in one that's for sure.

MTec Discs and DS1.11 pads to try at Donington on the 26th

Driftworks here too, had them on the last two track cars I've owned and they're great! I remember the horn button being a tight fit with my Nardi wheel too, they do fit, just need to persuade them home.

Resealed the sump twice now, so either I'm doing a terrible job, or something else isn't right. Left the car running for a good 30 minutes or more and not a drop of oil anywhere. Will replace the covers tomorrow and just monitor it a bit more I think.

All built back up, still no leak so god knows where it's coming from. At the end of every track day I get a trickle of oil down the side of the sump. And I mean at the end, I check it throughout the day and never see anything, very annoying!

Got it off, used a 3 leg puller. Once I'd got the engine low enough to gain access it was pretty simple. The oil leak which I assumed was coming from the crank seal appears not to exist, so I'm going to build it back up minus the plastic cover and hope I can spot it a little easier then.

Liking that!!

Is it possible to do any other damage whacking that thing with a mallet? Worried it might cause damage to bearings having a shock put through it.

Cheers, I whacked it a couple of times with a rubber mallet but that didn't do much and luckily hasn't damaged it, I don't think.

Cheers. Any handy tips on getting the pulley off? Got the bolt out fairly easily but the pulley is stuck fast! I have a 3 leg puller, hence the need to lower the engine to get it on the pulley, but i that doesn't work I'm stuck for ideas.

Need to lower it down to give me access to the crank pulley. Is the sump strong enough for me to put a jack underneath for support while I faff about?