Update Time !!
After much stuffing around, I finally contracted a full engine re-build/upgrade to Paul Knott of PK Automotive here in Sydney. Paul really knows his art, & has put together a very strong, but streetable engine. The basic specs are :
- Block line bored/honed, decked, chemically cleaned, etc
- 331 Stoker setup with Scat crank, rods & JE forged pistons
- Roller cam by CamTech
- Speed Pro roller lifters
- Mellings oil pump, etc
- All fasteners by ARP
- AFR 165 heads refurbished, new valve stem seals, springs checked & shimmed/matched
- 10:1 C/R
- Port matched heads & manifolds
- ACL race bearings
- Power Bond harmonic balancer
- Fully balanced
- New baffled sump
- Felpro gaskets throughout
Chris (RF054) helped me get the engine back in, then a week's worth of g/box installation, wiring & plumbing reconnection, etc., & we were ready to fire it up. I had the Autronic expert (Steve Cox) on hand for this (fully expecting problems with using the old ECU map on the new engine), but no ! It started almost straight away & ran perfectly for the 15 mins at 1500rpm for cam bed-in, etc. Steve then did some black-magic on the PC whilst I bled the last of the air out of the cooling system, & within 30 mins, we had it idling very smoothly at about 800rpm, & rapping up the lower part of the rev range without any spit-backs or backfiring !
Once Steve had left, I was all set to go for a test drive - hit the remote - nothing. After a number of tries, the immobiliser kicked in & I got the pumps running - but then starter solenoid chatter instead of a start-up ! Jumper leads then installed from my Lexus & all fired up straight away. Jumper leads off, try a re-start - starter chatter again. Conclusion - dead battery (confirmed by the local road service guy who then fitted a new battery). And yes, you guessed right - the old one was 1 month past its 2-year warranty !!
So, off for the first test run the next day - HUGE difference in low down torque & heaps of potential up the rev range. I kept in mind the engine builder's advice about taking things easy for the 1st 2-3000 kms (not to mention the bill), so nothing over 3000rpm (but holy cr*p, it gets there fast now) ! After a 20 min run, I stopped off at the local hardware store for some bits & pieces, got back into the car & .... no reaction from the remote !! After 10 mins of trying, it finally clicked in & we were away again.
After checking the spare remote vs the current one - another crook battery (in the old remote) !! What are the chances of the main car battery & the remote battery both failing within 2 days ??? I thought that I had shaken the flat battery problem when the kids finally outgrew those aweful battery-powered Christmas presents that evil relatives give them - no - they are still with me (but now more expensive) !!
With new batteries surrounding me, off we go for another test run - bloody brilliant ! After being a very good boy on the roads, it all got the better of me when I came back up the driveway - 3/4 throttle in 1st = tyre smoke !!
This is FUN - its only taken about 5 years !!
Kind Regards,
Peter D.