Sonicriot13

I would imagine the cost of the repair would come close to if not exceed the cost of just getting another head done. On the bushes I just used a flat bladed screw driver to push it through, was pretty easy once I got the technique. But by the time I got to the last one I'd lost the strength in my left arm and suffered a massive cramp and couldn't move two of my fingers for a while. :lol: I did try using a vice but it was obviously far too sophisticated a technique for me as I couldn't get it to work. :lol: I will be so excited to turn that key for the first time. The first drive won't be the best though as I suspect the tracking is going to be a little on the sh!t side. I've just got to stop myself from getting over excited and rushing the last bit as I am prone to do.

Cheers James, I'm well pleased with it. I'm loving the tightness of all the rubber bits I've installed! :norty: Just can't wait to drive it. The head is a set back but hopefully won't hold me up for too long. To be honest mate I'm pretty sure I'm going to either get my old head reconditioned or find a better one second hand and recondition that. If I get Chris's one repaired I'm just going to worry about it the whole time and I just can't be dealing with that. The whole point of this rebuild is to relieve as much of the worry as possible. :lol: Haven't looked closely at the tappet recess yet.... :pale: Do I want to?

Wasn't Royal Mail but I forget who it was now. Gonna have a word with the master tech at work and see what he thinks. It's quite an important part of the head though. The cam shaft sits in there obviously and rotates rather fast so any imperfections in a repair could spell disaster. Don't know if it would be worth the risk.

The Temper Trap. Just bought their album. First album I've bought for about 2 years.

Not good at all mate. Not sure what to do now. My old cylinder head is just bollox. I could get that reconditioned but I'd rather find a better one for that. I would be very surprised if Chris's old one is repairable. :( I'll give you a shout next time I'm gonna have a big job on the go. Won't be for a couple of weeks now though. Sunday I'm gonna hopefully be picking up my bonnet. Should probably get in touch with the seller and make sure that's ok with him first though! :lol: That will take up most of the day. Then on Friday me and Lucy are going down to Wales for a week. We really need to get away for a bit! Would be nice if I could get another cylinder head by then and then I can leave pretty much my whole engine with scholar or someone whilst I'm away so they can pressure test and clean everything etc. Then I can start the engine rebuild when I get back.

Well, it's only a disaster if this damage to a cylinder head isn't repairable.... :( :( :( Have PM'd the pics to CTWG60. Hopefully it was insured. These things just happen I guess. :cry: Anyway, Some pics of the progress I made today. Those rubber bushes are not the easiest things to install armed only with a screw driver and a selection of choice profanities. Not sure what to do next now. Cylinder head issue has kind of thrown me off a bit.

My G60 WILL go there one day....

Mate, I heartily recommend it. I feel great about this project. :D Right, cylinder head arrived today from CTWG60. Never seen one so clean! 8) Well happy with it. Have a day off tomorrow so will update the thread with some pictures. I also have the last few bits (wish bones, drop links, etc) that I need to finish the suspension rebuild so will get those on tomorrow.

Mate, hang on to her with both hands! :lol:

So was it really better handling than a Mini Cooper, Fiesta Zetec S, or a Seat Ibiza Sport? Well, the mini and Seat weren't there and having driven neither I can't really comment on those but yes, personally I found it a more pleasing car to drive than the Fiesta. But to be fair I was so horrified by the appalling interior of the Fiesta I didn't notice the drive much. :lol:

Compare it to the prices of other similar cars in the segment mate. The Polo comes in cheaper than a lot! I was surprised to see certain models of the Fiesta are more expensive with less equipment. And with better residuals than the vast majority of it's competitors you may be buying high but you'll also be selling high. :grin: :lol: When are they replacing the Fox? Not soon enough!!!!!!! :lol: The Lupo was way better. They should bring that back with the new "family face". It would look brilliant. 8)

You're paying us a little visit? :D Is that BM as in brand manager or BM as in business manager? From memory (and I'm terrible at remembering the prices of cars even though it's my job :lol: ) they're starting at 10k for the 5dr S. For anything with decent spec you're looking at about £11,500. They're doing an old biddies version (SE) and a young driver's version (Moda) that will be the same price in the middle of the range. It's an interesting idea I've not come across before.

And my God what an improvement over the last one in every single way apart from one fundamental thing - the petrol engines.... They're still the same units from the old generation and just seem at odds with the rest of the car. Still, they are due to update them next year with some pretty exciting stuff and there will be a GTI which I didn't get to drive but it looks superb! 8) Drove it back to back against 8 of its main competitors and I have to say even from an independent view point (if I can be independent any more!) that the 1.4 petrol Polo was far and away the best car there. The styling is the best thing about it though. I was being followed by one and it looked really good in the rear view mirror. Far too much road presence for a car like that! :lol:

Awesome! :cheers: Nice one. Gonna have to start ordering a few bits now to get engine rebuild well and truly underway. That seems pretty reasonable. To be honest I'm very pleased with how clean I've managed to get it myself but at the very least I'm going to get it all checked over by a professional so may take it to them. Thing is I know so many engine specialists and capable people through work I'm spoiled for choice! 8)

Pretty sure you'll get a good car for 3.5k these days mate. Although I'd be tempted to buy one way below budget and spend the rest of the money doing it up.

As I am currently set to spend multible thousands of pounds restoring my Corrado frankly I'm glad you're struggling to find a cheap one! :lol:

I love drew's car. If I could get mine to half the standard of his I'd be happy.

Steve, did you mean to say don't worry about the bits in the sump? The strainer is fine mate. The pump appears pretty good too but I'll still replace it. Do you know the cost of getting the block dipped mate?

Er, crank bolt is now off.... :lol: Nice one Steve! Cheers for that tool number as there is a chance there is one gathering dust in our parts department. :D

No worries mate! :lol: Thinking of starting my own engine block cleaning service. Just have to make sure I do it when I've got the house to myself! :lol:

You can buy them off Ebay? Bloody hell I've been looking everywhere for one! :lol: Obviously everywhere but eBay. :roll:

When I was down at G-Werks last December they did my crank bolt for me and they used a tool that locks the crankshaft sprocket in place to stop the crankshaft rotating whilst you undo the bolt. Does anyone know the VAG tool number for this? I've phoned G-Werks and spoke to Rob who wasn't sure but I didn't get a chance to call back and speak to Darren. Also I work for VW and nobody there knows what I'm on about! :lol: Also had a quick look through Bentley but couldn't find mention of it in there. Any help much appreciated!

Did loads today. Really pleased with it. Not many pictures of what I've been up to but I'll have a much more exciting update for you all in the next few weeks. 8) The wiring has all been tidied up. Just need to finish it to the standard I will be happy with. Loads of bits are prepped and ready to start going back on. Here are some pics of the block after a preliminary clean. Still need to get the crankshaft out but having problems undoing the crank bolt. Will get it sorted though. Almost ready for the dish washer! :lol: Will have the cylinder head arriving from CTWG60 this week so will get that ready to go on the block next. :D Loving it! :cheers: Will leave you with a pic of what was waiting for me at the bottom of my sump..... :pale: :lol:

Holy sh!t Lisa, took a few seconds for it to sink in that that is your car! Gutted. :( But like Yan says, as long as the chassis is straight that could be repaired reasonably easily.

Awesomeness!!!! :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: PM on its way. Stu, standard intercooler is going on. This car is going to be as standard as possible barring a few things like the suspension and exhaust. My next car on the other hand, that I am already planning, will be far from standard! :norty: