1984 MG Montego EFi with digidash

[Jeff Turbo]

Broken bolt stub now drilled out and re-tapped, all other threads re-tapped to clean them up. New wheels bearings now in, hubs carriers cleaned and painted. All is now ready to go on the car but I've decided rightly or wrongly to remove the front subframe and replace it with on of my spare ones as that isn't rusty. Will find out in due course if I wished i'd have left alone if one of the bolts snap.

[Jeff Turbo]

After 2 days of spraying the threads with wd40 all 4 bolts undid without any problems. removed front subframe ready to grind the surface rust on the bodywork. Also picked up the replacement subframe ready for cleaning and repaint

[Doctordiesel77]

The magic tin and patience wins the day! At least you'll know there's no rust lurking behind the subframe now...looking forward to the next installment, I guess most of the potential horrors are done now, or is that famous last words.....

[Jeff Turbo]

Front subframe all cleaned up, threads re-tapped and first coat of 5 on

[Ed]

Watching this with huge interest Jeff

[Jeff Turbo]

The magic tin and patience wins the day! At least you'll know there's no rust lurking behind the subframe now...looking forward to the next installment, I guess most of the potential horrors are done now, or is that famous last words.....

Not always this lucky and haven't started on the rear subframe yet. Will do that after paint

[Jeff Turbo]

Watching this with huge interest Jeff

I'm guessing you're going the same way then ed. I will be putting all back together in a couple of weeks as I don't have any time till then

[Jeff Turbo]

Front suspension now on, Brakes and steering rack to sort later once back form the bodyshop. all now ready to go

[Jeff Turbo]

Push me pull you out of my garage. All ready to go next week. Then the fun starts on the engine/gearbox

[Jeff Turbo]

Aerial removed, door mirrors, door tops and a few other things now removed. Being picked up next Thursday, nearly 5 years to the day that I bought it. Then the fun begins on the engine and gearbox. I was up my barn yesterday picking up the last parts for the car I will need. New door rubbing strips, door tops, rear lights, front lights and engine parts

[Jeff Turbo]

And finally after very nearly 5 years, its off to the bodyshop. I will be popping in to bodyshop to take pictures of its progress.

[Jeff Turbo]

An hour spare so started stripping the engine. Gearbox removed and draining, clutch removed, all 7 core plugs out. Will need my large blocks when I turn the engine upside down but didn't have them with me. Crank pulley removal next time, that's always fun

[Mike Brock]

I know a way to get a seized timing pulley off without breaking it. Undo crank pulley bolt half way (important) - but don't remove it. Keep the little bolts connected holding the crank pulley and timing pulley together. Use pullers to pull actual crank pulley and the timing pulley will slide off with it.

[Doctordiesel77]

Another method if you have either a compressor and air chisel, or an sds drill with rotary stop is to do as Mike says above, then fit a round punch in the air chisel and apply it to the centre bolt while pulling the pulleys off. It sounds brutal, but I've never caused any damage doing it this way, it was suggested by an old hand at the garage I used to work at. Also good for front driveshafts etc..

[Jeff Turbo]

I know a way to get a seized timing pulley off without breaking it. Undo crank pulley bolt half way (important) - but don't remove it. Keep the little bolts connected holding the crank pulley and timing pulley together. Use pullers to pull actual crank pulley and the timing pulley will slide off with it.

I haven't tried yet Mike, Johnny. Should be able to give it some stick next week with luck. I do have a puller so hoping that should sort it