jgra1 blog

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 04 Nov 2008, 11:29

John,

The first head certainly looks like it did go between cylinders.

The second head is interesting. One combustion chamber looks very oily. The low compression looks like it was poor ring seal or did you do a "wet" compression test on it?

Looking at it I reckon you'll find that head will be as falt as a pancake

You might even get away with a skim. If it is true, just clean it up well and if you have a good piece of plate glass, use it with a bit of fine grinding paste to do a final cleanup.

Do check valve clearances and valve seating on the suspect cylinder just in case the low compression had an origin in the valves.

Whilst the head is off, I'd be very tempted to replace the valve stem oil seals and at the same time give all the valves a gentle lap.

jgra1 · Unread post by **jgra1** » 04 Nov 2008, 11:46

hi jim

yep oil from a 'wet test' .. it's amazing how much compression you can get if there's too much oil in

Will clean the heads, measure, and do a valve grind on the second one and stem seals etc...have a steel rule that I used on mine, seems pretty good..

jgra1 · Unread post by **jgra1** » 05 Nov 2008, 11:33

could not find my steel rule and then misplaced feeler gauges grrrr...

got one head quite clean then had to dash

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2fj8MH_LeQ0/S ... head+4.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2fj8MH_LeQ0/S ... head+2.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2fj8MH_LeQ0/S ... head+3.jpg

jgra1 · Unread post by **jgra1** » 06 Nov 2008, 10:41

Dads original head:

Could not get 0.3 under but could get 0.28...
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2fj8MH_LeQ0/S ... arpage.jpg

two heads together, wapred on left looks nasty really..
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2fj8MH_LeQ0/S ... +heads.jpg

think this might be annealed.. certainly a lip where the fire ring was...
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2fj8MH_LeQ0/S ... ose+up.jpg

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 07 Nov 2008, 22:08

Sadly John, I think the original head is toast, well, not toast so much as banana. It's certainly shaped like one unfortunately

The fire ring marks do suggest it's annealed as well.

The other head looks great though. How is it looking for warping?

The shame is I have a good head here with a badly wrecked cam bearing journal. If only one good one could be made from the two of them. It's a shame that the XUD9 head does not have a separate cam carrier as the XUD11 does.

I wonder if the wrecked journal could be reclaimed in any way? Any thoughts anyone?

Xaccers · Unread post by **Xaccers** » 08 Nov 2008, 11:51

liquid metal to fill the ruts and careful grinding to take off the burrs?

jgra1 · Unread post by **jgra1** » 10 Nov 2008, 13:38

nah

think the bin for the banana... may keep as a spare for reasons I dont know yet

406 engine , looks nice and simple with the front head cover on... starts to get worse with it off

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2fj8MH_LeQ0/S ... head+1.jpg

Managed to get both front rockers off.. that is a feat in itself.. all looks ok except misty oil (from water ingress) and mayonaise on the covers.

Compression on front 3 ,170,165,170

When I re-ran the car the noise now sounded like the rear bank.. so one or more bent valves back there.. will try to look later but weather warnings abound and I am working outside on this one

This is going to be some job...

Airbox was still full of water.. the owner had changed the oil and filter straight after the incident..

Wondering how much money V6 gaskets and valves are going to be, this is a big step from an XUD

jgra1 · Unread post by **jgra1** » 12 Nov 2008, 01:13

back to the Xant tonight,,, decided to fit the witter towbar that I have had for years.. Reason will become a bit clearer soon

Not the easiest job, alone out on a farm track under ramps

Heavy thing, and the bumper wouldn't come off due to inevitable square nuts turning..

Managed it just, back box off and spare wheel off... will do wiring tomorrow lunchtime (luckily there was a previous towbar's wiring already in the boot

- that is the first thing I have ever found on this car that was a welcome suprise

jgra1 · Unread post by **jgra1** » 13 Nov 2008, 11:54

well I picked up my £40 box trailer from Newhaven last night, its just a glorified wheelbarrow to help with another thing that arrived on a large flat bed this morning

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2fj8MH_LeQ0/S ... flying.jpg

the fastest rear engined xantia ever ?

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2fj8MH_LeQ0/S ... railer.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2fj8MH_LeQ0/S ... iler+1.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2fj8MH_LeQ0/S ... nation.jpg

I put xant on LOW as the trailer was at wrong angle otherwise... not sure if towhitch is wrong or 'ball' needs an adjustment plate.. no bother though

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 13 Nov 2008, 13:24

I fitted a Witter on my 1.9TD John and my box trailer sits very high on it, just like yours. Caravan is fine though. Same with the Witter on my Estate although the design is totally different. On normal suspension setting, the caravan sits absolutely dead level on both cars.

Great to see you have a new engine for the V6. It looks huge in the trailer

Now is the time to replace the cambelt on the new engine

It should be a doddle (relatively) with the engine in clear air. It might be worth canvassing the opinions of other V6 owners to see what else is bet replaced whilst you have free access to everything on it.

That's one heck of an engine crane you have there

EDIT: So will the V6 be ready for the run to Newcastle next weekend?

jgra1 · Unread post by **jgra1** » 13 Nov 2008, 13:55

Hi Jim, am reading up on the 406 coupe forum plus have a manual for it now.. definately change the cambelt as its 8 years old even though 50K.. i wish it was ready for next weekend but will have to put up with the luxury of the Xant instead

and the expensive fuel costs it has

jgra1 · Unread post by **jgra1** » 20 Nov 2008, 21:44

Jim a bit late notice but your welcome to come up to Newcastle over weekend, Steve, if your about let me know

(Will be on here all the time)

Unread post by **myglaren** » 20 Nov 2008, 22:08

I will be around most of the time but have a bit of a (wrecked) house full this weekend.
Jim is dropping in on his way - you just reminded me to send my details, will send them to you too if you fancy dropping in on your way past - I am very close to The Angel.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 20 Nov 2008, 23:04

jgra1 wrote:Jim a bit late notice but your welcome to come up to Newcastle over weekend, Steve, if your about let me know

(Will be on here all the time)

Hi John,

I'm certainly up for a trip up but only Saturday unfortunately so I'll make my own way. Looks like a straightforward M1/A1M run so that'll be a job for the TD. Not enough bends for the Activa

and the TD will be cheaper.

What are your plans John? Are you going to your dad's house on Friday and then cracking on with his car on Saurday? I've got your dad's address.

Anything you want me to bring up with me?

You know, that'll be the furthest North in the UK I have ever been

Steve, I'll certainly pop in and see you on the way. I have Satnav so no worries.

If you're passing Newport Pagnell on Friday evening John, pop in for a cuppa!

jgra1 · Unread post by **jgra1** » 21 Nov 2008, 01:32

hi Jim, yep there late friday and at work sat!..

There are a few loose ends to do with radiators and a driveshaft, but I have to get some closure on this, I come home to 2 more engine fittings (Zetec SE thing and of course the v6

)

Want to be cleaned up and on the road by midday Sunday..TD has 70! litres of fuel in

I wont make friday night but Jim come up on Sat, give me a call or vice versa on the day to discuss.. or call me tomorrow?

Steve will liase with you for maybe a hi on Sunday

John