FORD CAPRI SUMMER 2024 ENGINE REBUILD

This is a very rare chrome bumper car from 1969 , with a 2.0 litre pinto engine and manual

gearbox. We restored the body and chassis here over the last 18 months - see previous updates.

The engine had low compression and was quite smokey. The decision was made to remove the

engine from the car in June 24. We have an ex-Lotus engine development team expert working

here part time in order to carry out the rebuild. Initially, the engine will be stripped in order to

assess the condition of piston rings, bore wear, shell bearing condition etc.  

WE HAVE NOW FULLY MACHINED THE HEAD, FIRSTLY BEAD BLASTED, THEN

INLETS AND EXHAUST PORTED/GASFLOWED, VALVES HAVE BEEN REFACED,

FLAME FACE RESURFACED,  COMBUSTION CHAMBERS DEBURRED. NOW IN

INDUSTRIAL ETCH PRIMER, PENDING COLOUR SCHEME CHOICE.  

A BRIGHT RED WAS CHOSEN FOR HEAD AND BLOCK, AND THE FORMER WAS

PAINTED THIS MORNING....

THE BLOCK HAD A COUPLE OF NASTY DIGS IN 2 OF THE BORES, AND THE DECISION

TAKEN TO REBORE, AND ALSO INCREASE CAPACITY TO 2.1 LITRES. AND WHY NOT ?

THE SPEC  FURTHER IMPROVED WITH A HUGE HAMPER FROM BURTONS...KENT CAM,

UPRATED OIL PUMP ALL NEW INTERNALS ETC . BLOCK DROPPED OFF TO MACHINE

SHOP THIS MORNING 12/07. 

12/08  COLLECTED BLOCK FROM ENGINEERS, BEAUTIFULLY BORED AND HONED, NOW

READY FOR THE REBUILD TO COMMENCE.....!

12/09 CYLINDER HEAD REBUILT AND WRAPPED TO PROTECT FROM SURFACE RUST, 

BOTTOM END ASSEMBLY NOW TAKING PLACE , NEW SHELL BEARINGS, HIGH PRESSSURE

OIL PUMP ETC, CRANK BEING HAND POLISHED TO REMOVE SURFACE SCRATCHES ETC... 

ENGINE REBUILD NEARING COMPLETION , HEAD AND BLOCK ATTACHED.....

NOVEMBER 2024. ENGINE REBUILD COMPLETED, TAKEN TO DAMICO ENGINES FOR DYNO.

166 BHP AT 6000 RPM. ENGINE NOW BACK IN CAR, A BIT OF EFFORT NEEDED TO GET

NEW ALTERNATOR TO AND SPECIAL TENSIONER TO  MATE UP WITH THE RIGHT BELT !

HAD SUCCESS IN THE END , AND SOME MORE ROAD MILES HAVE BEEN  PUT IN - BEFORE

THE CAPRI HAPPILY REUNITED WITH ITS OWNER - IN GOOD TIME FOR CHRISTMAS !