Today was a good day!
I cracked in fairly early, and set up the borrowed engine stand (props to Norman for the loaner!) for the ultimate goal- a trial fit of the block to see if i need to chop out any bodywork etc, and to see what stays and goes on the V8. First things first, get the V8 slung up:
...and ready to lower in. I decided to keep the box off for this, mainly due to being on my own for this part but also due to knowing it would probably not fit. Once the V8 is sorted for height, i can then think about longitude location with the box in place. This is compounded by not actually having a shifter mechanism to align with the gearshift hole on the chassis, so i can hunt about for a correct fitment once its in, as BL made a fair few!
Once lowered into place i found things to be a lot better than expected! Plus points include plenty of space for manifolds either side of the block. I predicted massive restrictions here but in fairness i got off lightly...
ball park measurements give me around 3 inches either side to play with, so that will make positioning laterally a walk in the park...
Its a great feeling to stand back and see roughly what the final product will look like:
Should look good, but its not a fault free fitment. First up, and as predicted, the Sump WILL need a massive alteration:
This shows that the engine sump is basically sat on the subframe for these pictures. A radically altered sump bowl, to the front of the block rather than the rear, will have to be sourced or fabricated (most likely the latter). Next issue was this:
The steel bar indicates the bonnet line. Major chopping will be required for clearance, but to be honest once the sump is altered the block should drop a good few inches. This isnt going to be something to concern me until the last final fitment. Another problem i thought i would have cropped up:
This is the rear drivers-side bank. Dependant on how much drop i get, the clutch master may still foul. Inboard pedal box is still on the cards until the engine mounts are finished. Also, heater pipes are going to be a complete foul, so they may get repositioned. Again, tertiary things for the instal, and can be worked around. What isnt a tertiary problem is this:
Bloody starter motor is indeed going to foul as i thought.There may be a race-spec starter with a smaller body i could use for this to get around it, but more likely is the need for a steering rack alteration. The plan is to get the engine mounted and welding done, then see exactly how much of a prick this will be...
The above pic shows it from a different angle (front of car facing to the rear). Remember thought that the engine will drop by 3 or 4 inches so that will bring the circular casting right in line with the column shaft. Suck it and see i guess. Oh, and dont thing that the engine mounts line up either!! Side on they are a good 8 inches out of alignment. The Sil's mounts are getting cut off to give clearance, and the V8 ones will be used to connect up to solid mount plinths i will fabricate onto the chassis rails!
So is that my lot? Easy sailing from here on? No chance. One more engine hitch to contemplate:
The oil filter. For some reason they face forward and down on the RV8. Im sure that makes it ideal for changing and access, but it will cause a foul on my ARB (anti roll bar) and bracing chassis leg. ARB could be repositioned, and probably will be in the long run, but i aint chopping strengthening legs for the sake of an oil filter. Best solution will be a remote take off for a stand alone filter, with the added bonus of being ready to tap if i decide to plumb an oil filter. Simples.
The front pump and belt assembly is a touch close to the slam panel but i cant judge that accurately until the box position is determined. Nonetheless i am bracing myself for a radiator mounted under the slam panel and an expansion bottle to reduce airlocks.
Once i got my measurements and had a good giggle at how good it looked, i pulled the lump back out to get cracked on. Ripped the sump off to make ready for the custom fabrication i will need to do, and in the process had a look at the oil pick up line.
Some chinks of debris in there, and a couple of them metal. Not too concerned about it though as lets face it, if they are snagged in the pick-up filter then they aint buggering the pump etc.
...and thats where i left it. 3pm finish today as the Pope is in town buggering with my traffic plans. Next stage is to take the angle grinder to that sump and start making up a new oil pick-up feed.
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