More work for the Claret, etc
 

Driving my Claret during last winter proved to be an eyeopening and costly experience.

Once I had performed the last round of repairs,

http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/showthread.php?t=53159

I had wanted to be finished with working on my car for awhile. I was admittedly, broke, and wanted to just move on before anything else popped up. I borrowed from a friend and purchased my Volvo 850 wagon soon after Reading, and listed my Claret on eBay. Needless to say, it did not meet the reserve. I had mixed feelings on parting with it anyway. Ideally, I would have gotten my $7500 reserve, and would be starting school this coming month. This however, was not the case.

My Volvo proved itself well (I equate it to an aging rocking chair or an appliance) for I put about 12,000 miles on it since May, and replaced the timing belt, wp, radiator, etc. The car has been suffering brake system issues lately, and is in the shop for a couple associated issues.

On a couple of short stop & go trips, I noticed the engine was getting noisy on startup. I stopped bumping my sale thread, and pulled my CL ad for my car. I was in complete denial that this was happening again.

I put the Volvo in for its timing belt and decided to drive the SVX again just for a few days. On that next morning, an idiot backed into it at a gas station, damaging the fender and bumper.

Discouraged to say the least, I gave the driver "a piece of my mind" and reported the accident, and settled with her insurance company.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._1720833_n.jpg

I took the opportunity to fix the front end, and grab up a rental.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._7938792_n.jpg

I am having the shop that originally did my paintwork take care of the car again, and have been addressing little issues here and there.

Some progress photos/re-assembly:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._7894501_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._1441895_n.jpg

Things I'll be dealing with in upcoming months:

Install professionally rebuilt shortblock & new pilot bearing.

Troubleshoot A/C System (again)

and onto other things:

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...r/DSCF4081.jpg
Replace Front Brakes

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...r/DSCF4088.jpgInstall new reservoir seals

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...r/DSCF4080.jpgReseal Taillights

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...r/DSCF4092.jpgReplace Trim


http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...r/DSCF4069.jpg Fix anceint overspray from years ago.

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...g?t=1281026072
Install new OEM bumper stays, holders, hardware, etc.

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...r/DSCF4073.jpg Have my Prodrives fixed... (they all have a little of this)

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...g?t=1281026072
Clean up this mess!

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...r/DSCF4076.jpgClean dingy headliner

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...g?t=1281026072 Get rid of this mark on my dash suede

Oh, and I'll be replacing any rusty/damaged hardware underneath the hood (again).

I have my work cut out for me!

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

Hi Mike

I tend to wonder if you are going forward or not. Don't get me wrong. This is one pretty car, but by the time you do all of this, are you going to get back what you put into it when sold. If it didn't go at the $7,500, and you do all of the additional work, I don't see you will get your investment back.

If you are doing it for the love of the car, I understand completely! I don't even know for sure you will sell it after you do all of the work. Just a thought. You do amazing work and you are very skilled at what you do. I wish you the best as you move forward. :)

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

Earl,

I agree with what you are saying here, and knew after I had installed the last motor, 5 speed, etc and did not get a bite, that I'm pretty much married to the car at this point. To sell it, I'd lose a lot of what I have in it, and to be honest, I still have a good time with it all.

I have come to terms over time that owning one of these cars isn't always easy, but is a rewarding experience. :)

Thanks for the kind words.

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

Mike, you are just way too irresponsible to own an SVX, you are running around, curbing your wheels, smashing your fenders, blowing up your motor and blowing out your transmissions. Good grief, you need be driving a Volvo or something. :lol:

(Kidding of course) I'm sure all the work will be done first class as usual, and am glad to see that you have decide to keep it, even if it does come with a sigh and feeling of resignation.

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

And now you won't have to show up in a Volvo at Reading next year.

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

What he said.

We don't need no stinkin' Swed... er, Chinese cars there. :lol:

Geely buys Volvo

,

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

Thanks Sean :rolleyes::lol:


Ill push the SVX to Reading if I have to...


http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...0_722512_n.jpg

but ..but... its an old Lolvo!

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

If you are maried to it, you won't have to sell it and will still be around. Good to hear it. :)

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

Old motor:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._6937459_n.jpg

New motor is to the right.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._5291671_n.jpg

I'm heading off to the garage. More work to be done today...

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

GO MAN!! GO!!! Looks good!!!

GLENN :cool:

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

All that work.... the car is fantastic as is, and will be even more-so when done.

Although, one suggestion... Instead of re-sealing the tail lights, this car deserves the LED tail-light re-fit. Then it will be even better.

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

.

With the tips and leads to my suppliers, he is slowly closing the gap :rolleyes:



But not until every phillips head screw is color-matched to the surface that surrounds it and the slots in the heads line up will I start to worry.


But then he has to accept that while 1 hair is just a hair... 2 hairs make a brush! :lol:

.

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

I am a clutch alignment tool shy of dropping it in. :o

I'll post photos of today's progress shortly.

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...r/DSCF4220.jpg

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...r/DSCF4227.jpg

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...r/DSCF4229.jpg

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...r/DSCF4233.jpg

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...r/DSCF4236.jpg

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...r/DSCF4240.jpg

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

Are crank pulleys rubbing on timing covers a universal SVX feature, or is it a by-product of using a lightweight pulley? Mine has the same circle worn in.

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

Chris,
I attributed the damaged cover to the significant crank walk with the previous engine. (was new on the last motor over the winter)

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

Looks like I might be snagging a clutch tool today, so I'll be dropping in the motor either later today or early tomorrow! :)

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

What did I miss?, why did you have to replace the engine :confused:

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

Its looks very cool to have the gold on the engine. And also have gold rims. :)
I also like the color on you car. And i think its a nice one.

I understand what you mean about married to the car. I have also done a lot work of the car and figth whit the dealer i have bogth it from and replace 3 tranny in just 4 years. And now i have got the 5-speed. :D but i will never sale mine. Becuse all the work i have put in the car and money. So my plan is also to refresh car and give it a paint job. ;)

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

I'm definitely married to my SVXs....also to my bike apparently. Too many people wanting something cheap, but still too cheap to buy something cheap. I like not having car payments though.


Mike, even in pieces, the car still looks great. Best of luck getting everything back together.

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...r/DSCF4242.jpg

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...r/DSCF4243.jpg

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...r/DSCF4250.jpg

It lives! I got ahold of a clutch alignment tool at 5:00, and by 7:20, I turned the key. :) The car runs okay, but I have to address what appears to be an issue with one of the timing belt idlers. Altogether, the swap went well.

I have to address the A/C system and repair my LF tire, and then it should be good to drive to the Pumpkin Carve! :D

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

love seein your pics on here and on facebook, beautiful work as always! :)

don't you dare be a Tom! (you know i still luvz u tom) and go be a beamer lover/traitor! don't you dare divorce that SVX its the only Bordeaux I really like! :eek::p:lol::D

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

Um, did you put the rest of the valve cover bolts in? It looks like only about half of them are in place in the above pics.

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

Yes, the old ones were rusty so i was waiting to pick them up when I went home to my bolt bins at lunch. :)

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

There's nothing wrong with ze Germans :)

Good to see your car's coming along again, Mike.

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

I have to agree, as I am a fan of German cars, having owned a couple of older Mercedes.

Thanks Tim. The engine ran smoothly, but I have what appears to be a slight timing issue which I will have to iron out over the next week or so. :)

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

For the record, I still need to address the A/C :rolleyes: :lol:.

Expect to see it at the Pumpkin Carve, arriving on a trailer... :o

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._7481304_n.jpg

Dropped my car off during the Pumpkin Carve Meet to have the remaining issues addressed. OT found my timing problem quickly (installed one of the LH cams 180* off OOPS! :o). Tom also replaced the seals on my brake reservoir, replaced a few exhaust gaskets, and buttoned up a few details.

I'm excited, thinking that I'll be driving my car this upcoming weekend!

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

I thought you told me you checked that? ;) Glad the issue was resolved. Hows she running now?

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

Well, I did check the belt alignment, but did not pull off the pulley or cam cap, so I didn't spot the cam that was I had installed incorrectly. I'm surprised that I overlooked it, but nobody is perfect. :o

I am going to be picking up the car this weekend, so we'll see how it runs then. :)

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

If it runs as nice as it looks, you should be in for a treat.

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

Big thanks to OT/SVXFiles for taking care of my car.

Now that the exhaust leaks are fixed and it runs properly, it really is a treat to drive!

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._1065137_n.jpg

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

Glad its figured out, Mike. Now you can enjoy it for awhile :)

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._7168598_n.jpg

Back on track to getting it cleaned up!

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

It's looking really good! :cool:

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

She is as pretty in person!

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

So, I broke it again.

With the suggestion of YT, its determined an unspecified amount of powdercoating/blasting has been resting within my valve covers, oil pan, and/or intake, causing extremely quick failure/breakdown of bearings and bottom end components.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._7578844_n.jpg
Broken down on the side of interstate 84 on 12/11/10

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._4054468_n.jpgShrapnel inside my oil pan

I still have to bring it back to NJ from CT, but will be taking a much different approach this time around...:( No more sandblasting. I will be looking into soda blasting as an alternative.

I've started disassembling and cleaning another set of heads and will be splitting open another short block I've had at my mother's place.

"Back to the drawing board..." as they say... :o

Re: More work for the Claret, etc
 

I think you are on the right track. When I took the intake manifold in that I bought from you to have sonic cleaned, the guy that runs the place (Robbie) told me that it may take off some of the powdercoating. I told him I didn't mind, as looks took a back seat to performance and reliability. He said that was the right decision, because he could not count high enough to tell me exactly how many cars he had done machine work for that had the owners lose bearings due to not cleaning all the glass beads out of powdercoated parts.

This would explain the bearing loss in your car, just as YT has suggested. It could explain why you lost combustion in the last shortblock as well, since the glass beads in the intake could easily make their way into the combustion chamber and do irreversible harm very quickly. Good luck with your rebuild.