Finally got the engine started after many, many years of sitting idle. It needed a cylinder head rebuild and a bunch of other stuff, but now runs quite happily...if a little smokey! Website: projektagnetha.pl
Very nice work Tim. A few years ago I helped my dad rebuild a VW T4 diesel turbo that I had managed to blow up (pulley bolt sheared off on the M1) . Its a great feeling isn't it, that first time it fires up
Nice work! I remember seeing these on the roads in the UK in the mid 70s. The estate was very much the 'cool' Allegro model - a nice piece of design work. Did you ever see the original design specs for the Allegro? Very stylish looking as presented to the engineers by Harris Mann, with the same sleek, wedge-like shape of the Princess! Only trouble was the E series engines envisaged for the car wouldn't fit into the engine bay, so a hurried redesign sadly meant the car became something rather tubbier. The estate version retrieved some styling dignity, at least.
Thanks for the comment! Yes the original concept would have been amazing - sadly not to be. But I also think the Estate design is more true to the original concept. It reminds me of the Scimitar - just a bit more pocket sized!
If the smoke persists it's probably the piston rings stuck in their grooves. I have seen this several times in the past. If so try filling each cylinder with original Redex and leave it in there for a few days then spin the engine over with rags over the plug holes to remove the remaining redex from the bores. It will be a bit smoky when you start it but after a while being left at a fast idle it should clear. Redex is much more effective than diesel or other lubricants. Give it an oil change after this as well.
The rings and possibly cylinder walls aren't in great condition. I'd dumped some oil in the bores beforehand so it might just be that burning off. Time will tell. It needs a radiator first before I can run it up to temp though!
Tim, I have a contact in France who used to be the Austin Rover parts manager in France and has a shed load of parts which may be useful to you. I have a list of the items so let me know if you want anything and I can check to see if he has it.
