Hi Folks, been a few weeks since the last update, unfortunately a bereavement in the family and then I was on holiday, so not much was done since last time, until this last week or so.
I was playing around inventing a method to slide the engine under the car once I had it raised on jack stands. I came up with the idea of using wooden dowels (because they won't add much to the overall height, I needed to clear the chassis), and a strong piece of chipboard. More on this later on below.
My Lucas speed and reference sensors arrived from one of my new favourite parts suppliers on ebay (carpartsinmotion).
Apart from not having many markings on the plastic they look identical to the original ones, and had the correct length cable for the 944.
I found a suitable washer and used a dab of superglue to hold it on the sensor, and then gapped the sensor against the starter ring (manual calls for 0.8mm clearance). In hindsight I should have gapped the sensors before I installed the clutch cover, it would have been far simpler to use a feeler gauge!
I installed and torqued down the sensors and bracket, then I routed the alternator and starter cables, using previous photos to confirm.
Yes, I know I don't need the diagnostic "TDC" sensor, but for completeness it is installed!
Roll-on to the last week or so, and checking the weather forecast I could see there was wet weather and possibly snow forecast, so I needed to work fast for my plan to work. I was planning on getting the car into the garage and possibly having the engine at least located under the engine bay ready for installation.
Started off on a freezing day (2.0C and threatening snow), moving the engine out of the garage and temporarily locating it on an old wooden pallet to prevent it getting wet and dirty.
Next was to uncover the car (whilst the cover was mostly dry) and maneuver it into the garage by myself (it is easier without all the weight of the engine and gearbox). The cover was then draped across the living room to dry completely in the warm before packing away.
I purchased some cheap outdoor furniture covers in approximately the right sizes to cover the hoist and engine and prevent them getting wet whilst outside.
Quick stop at MB Engineering one morning and picked up one of the oil cooler lines which had been lovingly restored, cleaned, vapour blasted, and then zinc plated.
The other one was replaced with a brand new one a couple of years ago so still looks new.
This evening I spent a couple of hours getting the engine back into the garage and underneath the car ready for installation. The crossmember is at MB Engineering to be cleaned and vapour blasted, and I've got a messy job at some point to clean the steering rack with some degreaser.
I laid out my specially designed sliding platform and then gradually heaved the engine into position (not easy on uneven tarmac).
I had to raise the car a couple of inches more, onto the highest setting on my orange axle stands (had some bigger ones in the shed but thankfully didn't need them). I left off the inlet maniford and other gubbins, so had extra clearance than I did when the engine was removed. However the radiator supports proved to be a PITA, but some careful maneuvering of the engine got it clear and into the bay.
Next job is to tend to the surface corrosion on the metalwork that sits under the intercooler, and some scuffs under the coolant tank. Then I can begin installing everything up front.
A calmer mind on the weekend prevented me from diving further into the rabbit hole and restoring the front hubs and spindles (a job that can wait until winter 2025/2026).
Spent a few minutes installing new studs on the wastegate after I'd cleaned it up. Going to check the opening pressure and shim if necessary (seen some old posts on here from some of the oldies, Diver944 etc with details).
