Right, got a few hours on the car today. Have updated the list above with what's been done.

Two points Ford need a good fucking slap for.
1) the water pump pulley does not clear the chassis leg without pumping the engine up and pushing it hard. Twats!
2) the aux belt tensioner will not come out without removing either the water pump (wtf!) Or moving the bracket holding the PAS pump on, and I don't think that's really possible without taking heaps off! Double twats!!

So next step is to drop the sump, change the oil pump and get the sump back on. Not going to lie I'm not looking forward to that!
Then drain the coolant and change the water pump as its got a bit of play in it.
Put it all back together and things should be rosey!

See if I can get some time on it tomorrow and get the oil pump swapped... Watch this space....

Right, spent another hour or so on the car tonight.
Item 3 that ford need a good slap for: how the fuck are you supposed to get the sump past the alternator mounting bracket??
Spent most if the hour trying to squeeze it out, no joy. Anyone got any clues on how to get it off? Or if it is even possible to do it?

Paul

Is there a bolt which goes through the bracket into the sump?

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Yup, that's out.
I can drop there sump down and move it about but I just can't get it to clear the bracket.
Its either hitting the flywheel or the bracket or the crank/something under the sump

got any pics paul?

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fifi

No mate, was too annoyed.
But imagine if you looked at your sump and tried to take it off at an angle and it wouldn't go cause of the salt bracket.

Just been having a look at ft.com and folk saying on there need to undo gear box and space out to drop the spacer piece and get sump out. That would probably help but fuck me what a ball ache!!

I hope you changed your oil pump while the engine was out?? I'm fucking regretting not doing it now

That bolt removal might work. Hopefully you get it out without smashing it to bits

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well im hoping my oil pump will be ok lol as i didnt!

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fifi

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PSYCHO SAM WATSON #0781 366 9260
TEAM AUBERGINE

I have contemplated going manual, if my rack goes then its a no brainer!!

What's needed?
Rack, front mount, different alternator? , shorter drive belt, steering column?

Paul

yeah to all those Paul. i have some of them too if you ever go for it

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fifi

Cheers Ben, Will defo keep that in mind as steering is likely to be the next ball ache to break!!

Paul

think positive bud! im sure you would prefer the pas anyway?

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fifi

any updates on this Paul?

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fifi

Not really mate, bought an engine support thingy and tried that last night, bag of shit, think i'll just let it sit on the gearbox and rear mount
Managed to take a chunk out of my finger, typical me being a twat, tight as fook bolt being undone with a spanner. Looked at it and thought, hmm if this give with the amount of effort I'm putting it i'm going to crush my figer between the spanner and that sharp bit... and guess what!! I was right, fucking plum!

Anyway, drained the coolant last night then Dominos arrived so I stopped

Plan for tonight/tomorrow night (as its not supposed to be raining today and tomorrow) is as follows:
Remove lower rad coolant hose - DONE
Remove rad (for flushing and as we discussed Ben, checking my engine number is right ) - DONE
Remove pas pump from mounting as hose is in the way of one bolt - DONE
Loosten off bolts holding front mount to block - DONE
Lower engine onto loostened bolts so hopefully it'll give me enough room to remove sump - DONE
Remove sump - DONE
Remove Oil Pressure relief valve and hope it comes out with a broken spring so I dont have to change the pump - DONE
Curse when it doesnt - DONE
Unbolt pump and remove
Put new one on
Replace water pump while I'm there
Desperately try and remember what I have removed and how to put it all back
Do what ever I remember in step above
Re-fill oil/coolant
Take her out for a spin and grin like a mother fucker!!

Ok, might not manage it all in two nights, but we can try

Paul

good luck! sounds like a fair chunk of stuff to do there Paul.

sounds like it will be a pain dropping the engine without a crane like.

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fifi

Not dropping the engine mate, just need to get the front engine mount bracket loosened as its what the sump is hanging on whe I try and take it off.
Will just put a jack under the sump to take the weight, undo the bolts a bit then lower the jack and it "should" seperate out a bit and let me drop the sump... fingers crossed

Paul

ahh right ok. you seem like youve got it figured out Paul!

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fifi

Yup, all figured out, that's it

Well, just come back in after a few hours at it.
Got the sump off eventually after removing the front mount bracket completely and also undoing all of the gearbox bolts about 8-10mm and prising the box across. Honestly, what a palaver!
So, tomorrow night will be mount off, sump off, oil pump unbolted and removed and then worry about getting the new one on and lined up.

Question, for all those who have removed the oil pump. How do you get the thrust washer off the crankshaft? I can't get it to move more than about 1-2mm before it jams!! Any advice greatly received

If i get a good run at it tomorrow like I did tonight I should get a good chunk done off the list

Right I'm off to bed to try and warm my toes up.
Ciao ciao

Paul