Roger Chatfield

Tell me about it mate, took me 3 or 4 goes to do it, hopefully the spring hasn't popped off, I'll check it's ok when I drop the sump to change the oil pump. Rog.

Little update. I've taken Sean's advice and left the head well alone. I've check the mileage via the mot check website and the engine has done 20k since the rebuild. Basically good to go then. So got it home. Got the gearbox off. Quick coat of hammerite later. Taking Sean's advice I thought I would replace the crank seal, at £8 it's it's a no brainer. First remove the cover. Then drive out the old seal with a punch. The new seal is quite tight so I though I'd heat the case up in the oven. And cool the seal. Then after 10 mins at has mark 4 and some persuasion with a tappity hammer the seal is home. Some liquid gasket and the cover is back on with a nice new crank seal. Glad I bothered, the old seal had signs of damage, also there is no record of it being changed at rebuild. Next job is to swap all the good bits over from the old (fitted) engine to the new one then get it fitted. More updates to follow. Rog.

Cheers mate, we are just going to an open day, he still has another of A levels yet so this it just a info gathering trip, just a pain that it's this weekend. We should sort out a local meet sometime, there is a few of us down here so should be good. Rog.

No mate, I'm in Nottingham looking at a uni with my son.... But if you are gojng you could pop in mine on the way down if you want that dip stick or I think a mate of mine is going so I could give it to him. Rog.

Is this any god to you. Total length of dip stick in the tube is 56cms, if you measure that from the end on you stick and then add a bit of tape, you can then dip the sump and get an accurate measurement if the tape aligns with the top of the tube.... How that makes sense... Btw, I've got a spare dip stick, let me know if you are in the Plymouth area and you can have it mate. Rog.

Out of interest have you the abs unit fitted under the bonnet? It's under the coolant expansion bottle. Rog.

So what are peoples thoughts on the up coming independence vote. It looks like we are in for interesting times ahead, I can't believe the vote is so close, I really thought the yes vote would be so much bigger. Personally I hope the yes vote wins it, Scotland has the potential to be another Norway, the future for an independent Scotland surely looks good. Also it's good news for Plymouth, Scotland will get rid of trident and the only dockyard in England with a nuclear licence is in Plymouth and additional projects like the new type 26 frigates will no longer be built in Scotland so vital work will go to English dockyards. Rog.

Evening all, I've managed to get a new engine for 'Stormy' the engine was rebuilt 20k ago but that was 8 years ago. So, I'm currently just giving it a quick clean up before fitting. I've noticed that the upper chain tension runner is the original 'old' style one, the metal type with a riveted on runner. It looks like new with no signs of wear, however I know that when replaced most folk fit the newer 'all plastic' style runner. It's there a problem with the old style of runner? Is it worth me replacing mine while the engine is out although this would mean removing the bottom cover plate and disturbing the the crank seal. I'm thinking leave it as it is however id value the advice of the collective. Rog.

Evening all, I'm planning on painting my inlet manifold, looking at a black satin finish. Can anyone recommend a suitable paint and offer any tips. Many thanks Rog.

Oohhh, very nice, I like, two thumbs good from the Chatfield. Rog.

Mmmmmm strange, I've got 3 spare ecu's The top two are from a local lad who I bought an engine from, I'm not even sure what car these came out of has he had a converted 1.6 mk4 golf but the engine was a ABV and had a dizzy but also came with the correct cover to run a coil pack. As you can see one is an A code and one is AG. The bottom one I have just got Gareth (VR6gar) and has come from a L plate running coil pack car. Rog.

Don't know what you lot are moaning about, I recently bought an engine and had to remove it myself, talk about cheek....lol Rog.

Sorry, just checked and it was carpartsaver... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291199689028 Rog.

I just got one on the bay from euro car parts, £70 with a years guarantee, seems ok so far. Rog.

Afternoon all, Can anyone tell me if coil pack VR6's have a different ECU to dizzy cars. Many thanks Rog.

Oh no, that is seriously bad news, that vid is just heart breaking, thank god you are ok though. How bad is the fire damage? Is it repairable. Rog.

So, today I have mostly acquired a new engine for 'Stormy' Many thanks to Gareth, we literally had the engine in 10 mins thanks to all his prep work. This was rebuild 15k ago (although it was 8 years ago) so should be good for me, plan is to remove the head and give it all a good check over, rebuild it and throw it in the car. Rog. P.S. Can you reuse the head bolts on these or are they stretch type?

As above Chris, very well deserved, good to see the rado getting some recognition. You car is stunning mate, lovely to see a nice stock example. Rog.

Looking good mate, just one thing I'd advise, when reassembling use some copper grease on all the nuts and bolts. We use it on everything on the trains, deffo makes removing stuff later on so much easier. Rog.

Awesome purple Corrado spotted yesterday on the A38 just outside Plymouth about 7pm. De-badged and smoothed rear so couldn't tell what model but was on a 'L' plate. Don't know what its running but its bloody quick, way quicker than a VR..lol.. just shot off with an awesome soundtrack, deffo sounded boosted.. Rog.

Lovely colour, really suits the Rado.

Bad news Jim, I feel your pain. Give Gareth a shout mate, he is currently breaking a VR, may be able to help you out. Rog.

Good work Jim, keep at it...lol Rog.

Good luck Jim, get loads of pics as no doubt I'll have to do this at some time...lol Rog.

The oil pump is in the sump, you can't see it unless the sump pan is removed, it's a mechanical pump so doesn't have any wires on it. Does your oil pressure light come on? Rog.