Update on my VX Project

[rtormet]

Over a year ago i purchased my VX from a guy in Cleveland. I believe he got it from member mbeach (http://www.vehicross.info/member.php/1374-mbeach)

Had a massive knock

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTAyxJjyc4s

took the engine out and tore it apart. It was completely missing the rod bearing on piston #1
AND a head bolt broke off in the block.

Took it to a machine shop. They said it would need to be bored out at least 20 over. And they might have to drill out that bolt. Valves were bent on cylinder 1. Piston showed marks from being knocked around. It was a mess.

So i decided to find a new engine instead of rebuilding this one. Thought about doing an engine swap with an Aurora v8 but i just dont want to have it in the garage for ANOTHER year. Id like to drive this thing finally!

While it is in the shop i might do some other modifications/maintenance. I already threw a 3in body lift on it - and i believe it already had lift springs and a torsion crank. Im going to get under it with a lot of rust converter and paint.
Any suggestions on what else i should do?

fingers crossed there was nothing bad with the transmission or transfer case...

[Lizardmen3477]

Do ya still need an engine ?

[rtormet]

not any more - looked for a long time. You have one for sale?

[Lizardmen3477]

Yes

[rtormet]

Here are some pictures from this weekend.

Painted the valve covers and the intake to make it look a little nicer.

Put 4 new O2 sensors in it while the engine was out so i could actually get to them. :yesy:

http://i.imgur.com/HH3zUb2.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/mUFitDi.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/evxglF8.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/AqKYb90.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/jo3xlym.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/hfTJULO.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/O2EOAMz.jpg


Still to do:
Finish bolting up the transmission
Attach the power steering pump
Accessory belt
Radiator
Probably some other stuff that im forgetting

[Billyphxaz]

keep the pics coming!!


Here are some pictures from this weekend.

Painted the valve covers and the intake to make it look a little nicer.

Put 4 new O2 sensors in it while the engine was out so i could actually get to them. :yesy:

http://i.imgur.com/HH3zUb2.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/mUFitDi.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/evxglF8.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/AqKYb90.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/jo3xlym.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/hfTJULO.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/O2EOAMz.jpg


Still to do:
Finish bolting up the transmission
Attach the power steering pump
Accessory belt
Radiator
Probably some other stuff that im forgetting

[rtormet]

Ok - im an idiot and forgot to put in a couple of the sensors (cam and knock) before putting the intake stuff on the top of the engine. Well now the engine is in the car and everything was bolted up - blocking my way to those sensors. Time to dismantle.

feeling like a big idiot right now :mad:

[Fade]

Doh !

[rtormet]

Got everything hooked up, plugged in, and ready to start. Put in all the fluids. Put in a battery. Hooked up my electric fan. Hooked up the transmission to the shifter. All looks good!

http://imgur.com/a/ySdf3

Turn the key - NOTHING.
We hear the starter relay in the engine bay click on. All fuses look good. Brand new starter. But nothing happens. Starter doesn't engage. Engine doesn't turn over. Nothing.

All dash lights came on the first time. The second time the only lights that showed up were ABS, and airbag light.

When I turn the key to off I hear five beeps coming from the center of the inside of the car. I think it's coming from the hump below the cd changer. Ecu in there? I'm not sure.

Any help would be appreciated.

I'm thinking a ground problem somewhere but from what I can tell I have all my grounds plugged in.

We checked the battery and made sure it was fully charged.

Everything worked before taking the old engine out.


Thanks

[Lizardmen3477]

Believe the Ecu is under pass seat

[rtormet]

I was using a new starter (of which i didnt confirm functionality) so i thought maybe it was a bad solenoid or starter. Replaced it with the stock starter that i know started the engine when it was bad. Same exact issue.

is there a ground strap i might be missing - from the engine block to the frame or battery or something like that?

[Lizardmen3477]

No straps just the ground from battery

[rtormet]

No straps just the ground from battery

Damn! I was hoping it was something simple I was missing

[rtormet]

SHES RUNNING!!

yay - crazy excited! After having the car for a year and a half its finally running again.
Broke in the engine for about an hour. Will continue tomorrow.
No warning lights except for TOD - ill have to investigate!

The problem was a bad ground running to the engine block. Put on a nice beefy ground wire and it started right up.

putting the hood on tomorrow - all 4 bolts broke off in the hood itself so im going to have to drill some holes.

[Lizardmen3477]

Was it the ground from the battery to the block i mentioned?

[rtormet]

yep the wire from the battery to the block was super frayed and barely making a connection. Purchased a new battery terminal with pre-installed thick wire and lug.

[Lizardmen3477]

Haha figured. Awesome man glad ya got her going

[rtormet]

Took it out on the road for the first time yesterday! Tires rub a bit in turns so i have trimming to do. And exhaust is busted so its super loud. But drives great :)

[rtormet]

Major exhaust issues - broke on the drive side before they combine. And it sounds like my headers are leaking around where it meets the exhaust. Its loud... BAD loud

Need to take it to the shop soon

[Lizardmen3477]

Prolly talking bout the flexpipe. Horrible design an very commin for it to break. Easy fix to cutout an weld a new in. But if ya need headets gaskets. Thats gonna be involved a bit

[rtormet]

Prolly talking bout the flexpipe. Horrible design an very commin for it to break. Easy fix to cutout an weld a new in. But if ya need headets gaskets. Thats gonna be involved a bit

i cant tell if its the actual header gasket or the three sided gasket where it meets the exhaust. hard to tell without digging into it a little

[rtormet]

found my exhaust leak - broken weld on the 3bolt flange connecting to the headers.

broken in my engine for about 250 miles so far. About to do an oil change.

running great for the most part.
But getting a CEL P0171 System Too Lean Bank 1.
and a couple of codes for O2 sensors. P0155

could they be related?
I put 4 new o2 sensors in it when i had the engine out. Maybe a bad connection somewhere?

[rtormet]

Am I missing anything?
http://imgur.com/NWbXOlV

[mattferguson14]

IIRC, there is a cover that goes over the end of that spline that is attached with 6 allen head bolts. I would have to take the wheel off to confirm, but I am pretty certain you are missing something.