Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

The say to take it easy for the first 5 or so hundred miles.

Project Binky Episode 9 is here!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v59dDxCk9w

Who are they?

Not really, the discussion is loading the engine. Then making sure that things aren't loose.

then again all you are bedding in is the rings.

You know, the sandal wearers.

I'm driving to Cornwall for a week today, so right or wrong, that's how it's getting run in.

Ah, I was just trollin really. Sounds good. Enjoy cornwall you lucky sod.

Don't drive at constant RPM, keep going up and down the revs as much as you can!!

It's not about full load, it's low-mid load across a variety of RPMs (all of them)

Also well done for doing the rebuild yourself! I'm impressed.

Cheers.

The motorway should be okay, if I can vary the speed, as you say. 2.5k is about 55mph and 4.5k is about 85mph. That should be plenty. The overdrive gives 500rpm to fuck around with.

Hopefully it will be a pretty sweet week. I have bought a fishing rod to try my hand at catching bass off the beach.

If you take the A303, don't hammer it away from roundabouts. It's more about easing it up to speed and keeping that speed up.

Don't hammer it out of roundabouts?!? Have you gone soft? That's exactly why i built it!

Just joking. It will be fine.

We are stopping halfway at Sarah's folks. I have s little back route to avoid those bastard roundabouts.

Socks or not?

Is this your first rebuild?

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm interesting article, which makes things interesting for an engine like yours.

Interesting how several professionals say differing things and differing methods. Even though things have changed.

ah the good old days of british car building, they seemed to have found the one gem in the line up but reading that article it makes you wonder anyone bought anything british
even the input of honda couldn't help some of these old rovers

http://www.pistonheads.com/regulars/ph-features-sheds/shed-of-the-week-rover-820si/31993

Yep. Swapped a few and done heads, but never a full rebuild.

That article has been discussed on the mg forums. Most of the chat was that his theory is based on bike engines and modern engines that are coated. I am not keen enough to go against the 50 year old wisdom for mine.

What did you mean by socks - filters? I am running k&ns

Got down to Wiltshire fine btw. Not yet given it WOT, but it clearly a massive improvement. Smooth, revvy and loud. Really nice.

Video evidence with super high volume sound please... PS Did you change the bumpers while you were at it? ;)

After the rebuild did you get the turn the key hope the bolts are tight feeling?

It is an interesting discussion, and as you say 50 year old technology, or should that be tolerances. The tolerances of the Lancia engines I have rebuilt from the 50's were close to todays modern engines. By this I mean matching piston weight and ring groves diameters,but then Lancia were still hand building engines back then.When comparing the engines to what other mass producers were knocking out is quite interesting.

Anyway as I said, and NH said don't over load the engine and vary the rev you will be fine.

Did you go for a running in oil, or just cheap 20/50 jobby?

Oh the socks comment was the sandal wearers.

We weighed and balanced everything - pistons, rods (each end) and all the rotating bits. The machine work tolerances were all blueprinted and I used the best bearings/arp fasteners/pistons, etc - prob overkill - so the engine tolerances should be better than the factory. Let's face it though, it is still a 1950s engine.

Used Miller running in oil. Again, prob overkill, but I have been nervous as fuck about everything, so the (imaginary) piece of mind is worth it. Still having nightmares about a rod going through the block or finding a nut in the sump next time I drop the oil!

Have you used the SAE30 running in oil? How did you find the effects on oil pressure?

The engine has a steady 75psi when cold, but when hot and idling it drops down to about 25, goes up to about 80+ on the move. uprated PRV and high flow pump.

Ha! Dunno how to load a video off my phone - stay tuned.

P.s. - get fucked :)

The burn that keeps on giving!

Sounds awesome, can't wait to hear it running...

#causfixehsarecool

Two questions:

1. How is it being held up?
   
2. Do you think Mazda thought "oh no, we've accidentally made the car too pretty. Let's fuck up the front with an incongruous 'bad boy' bonnet and an ugly gaping snout"?
   
   

Roll on the Fiat version.