Oh boy, you are a sucker for punishment aren't you, working out there in the damn heat today! Still, better to do it now and get it done so you can sit back end enjoy your creation. The wagon looked bloody nice when I saw it today!

Yeahp. Those damn airbags wheels most of us are stuck with are a b**ch. May just take the whole air bag thing out one day. Not too sure about the legalities of that in NZ........

I had an accident once when I wrote off the EL wagon I used to have. The only injury I had was scratches on my arms from the airbag seams.

As for the lock actuators that EL had crazy problems and the whole set were replaced under warranty by Ford dealer service. No more problems. The only fault with my current car 363000klm was a few years ago when water had go into the plug between the door and body loom. corroded pin. Of course I spent 2 hours stuffing with the door actuator first.

Hay Ben quick Q, why dont you re-build the EL engine before you throw i in? Throw a new set of bearings and rings in and shave the head to up the comp for the lpg. You can do it for less than $500.

Also i reckon the trim on the tailgate and windscreen would look better in gloss imo. I reckon give it a hit with clear coat it will gloss the satin and also make it easyer to clean.

Hi BenJ, i recall you fiddling with a couple of different model cruise controls, you said one was much simpler and easier, which was that? I may be getting an EL fairmont.

+1 for semi recoing the motor.

+1 glossing the satin

Hi Flash, Good to hear from you mate.

Apart from a very distinct lack of funds, the EL engine is still in very good nick, and with less than 200k on the clock there is no need for a rebuild.

And besides, it is already in LOL.

I prefer the Satin Look over the gloss.




Hi Mate. Yes, I have played with both Eseries types of Cruise Control.

The Boxcar version is an overcomplicated piece of nonsense that combines a wierd vacuum setup and minimal electronics.

The EF/EL version is all in one single modual and is completely electronic. Much nicer, and it what I retrofitted to the Red EB, and shortly will also be in the EB Wagon.


Cheers
BenJ

UPDATE!!!!

Yes, the EL engine is now in the Wagon.

We started this morning at about 8.30, and had it out sitting on the concrete shortly after.

The swapping of the Log Manifold and T5 was smooth sailing. Troyman dropped around at my request, as I had forgotten to buy another spigot bearing, so we went for a short excursion to Bursons.

I also got an engine mount, as funnily enough, both engine mounts were broken.

Before we ducked out, I sanded and painted the ED water pipes.

The engine was reinstalled early afternoon and the rest of the day was spent piecing it all back together.

Oh, and I connected the gearbox wiring to the neutral switch, so the wagon can not start in gear.

Then it was time to turn it over and see if it would run.

YES!!!! CRAP!!!!!!!!!!

CLANG CLANG CLANG CLANG CLANG

%&*()#%&#$@)&$@)*@#$#@% Not AGAIN Yes AGAIN

It would seem that when I put the EL engine down on the ground with a brick under the back so keep it level, the sump pushed up ever so slightly so that now the BLOODY CRANKSHAFT WAS HITTING THE SUMP!!!! AGAIN!!!!

Seems this engine has to have its say before performing better than it should.

The fix this time involved the strategic placement of a long 1/2 extension bar up the side of the sump between it and the gearbox support leg, and then whacking the s**t out of with my 4 pound hammer. This action pushed the side of the sump inwards and the bottom of it downwards, creating the needed clearance and a fabulous lack of CLANG .


Took the wagon for a run, and I am quite surprised at how much better it goes than the ED engine. I wouldn't expect the addtion of extractors to make that much difference. So as Paulmac has suggested, this EL engine must be a Wednesday engine, and is just a good one. I think he must be right.

No pics for now, but I will get some tomorrow.

Cheers
BenJ

Last edited by BenJ on Thu Jan 08, 2009 11:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.

If worse came to worse and you know some one good with a welder you can weld a few washers vertically to the bottom of the sump and use a slide hamer to pull it back out again. Would even work on the side of the sump where you bashed it if you can get to it. Thats only if you can be bothered, but it sounds like its ok now.

Next time sit the engine on a old tyre aye

Nicely done mate, look forward to a few pics.

did you say you went to bunnings to buy a spiggot bearing?

bad luck about the sump but atleast you knew what to do and fixed it without removing the motor.

did i mention that i am a fan of your work lol

Josh

OOPS - that should have been Bursons LOL

Post now edited.

BenJ

Wow, you don't muck around do ya! Yesterday lunchtime you were off to the RTA with an ED engine, today you are driving around with an EL engine! Outstanding stuff matey.

Bummer about that damn sump again, at least you didn't have to drop the K frame and sump like last time. These 2 times have caused me to make a mental note not to put a brick under my EL engine when it comes out in the next couple of days!

geeze you work quick... see what happens when women arnt around to annoy us... lol i just wish i got propper topic reply emails and not just every few pages... bugs the hell out of me

lol I was goig to say you must have every thing at bunnings up your way!

Bunnings just needs car parts and it really would be Man Heaven!

My engine is also in after another big day yesterday.

I am still not understanding why you swapped the manifold for the gas system? Doesn't yours use a mixer ring? in which case it would not matter where it went?

I kept my engine mounted up to the K-frame as I needed to swap the ABS uprights anyway. I raised the body and made a trolley for the engine to wheel out on. Photos to come soon. This is how they instal the drivetrain in the factory so i figured it may be easier since i don't have an engine crane or A frame.

Still a long way to go before I will be able to drive it.

I am very impressed with your rapid progress.

No Gloss dashboard, the windscreen reflection in the sun will drive you mad.