The Black Rat

[The American]

The engine is inching towards completion.

The engine builder is checking everything as he is going. The crank surface where the rear main runs had damage from a seal removal, which he has been able to repair.

Today he sent me photos of the gears from the ‘new’ Boundary Engineering pump which is showing galling. On measuring, the gears have been manufactured with some taper which is causing the clearance to close at certain points, and galling the surface . Fixable, but not ideal. He said he has seen this before with a Boundary pump in a Barra engine.

$$$$

[The American]

In other news, we had over 500mm out of cyclone Angus, and we have a powerline and tree draped over our driveway which has made getting to work tricky.

I hauled my wife’s hatchback up a 4wd access track to the main road with a tractor so she and the kids could get to school and work. Could not repeat the feat with my car.

[ManiacLachy]

You're inching closer! Well done for persevering through the issues, I'm eagerly awaiting the day you're up and driving again!

Cyclone Angus? Or Alfred? It was a wet one for sure.

[PaulF]

Today he sent me photos of the gears from the ‘new’ Boundary Engineering pump which is showing galling. On measuring, the gears have been manufactured with some taper which is causing the clearance to close at certain points, and galling the surface . Fixable, but not ideal. He said he has seen this before with a Boundary pump in a Barra engine.

This is the first I've heard of such issues with the BE pumps. Disappointing for a part that's supposed to be an insurance policy of sorts.

Glad you're safe up there, despite the challenges!

[The American]

You're inching closer! Well done for persevering through the issues, I'm eagerly awaiting the day you're up and driving again!

Cyclone Angus? Or Alfred? It was a wet one for sure.

Thanks Lachy,
One day, some day! I appreciate the encouragement to keep going. The gratification is otherwise glacially delayed…

[The American]

Today he sent me photos of the gears from the ‘new’ Boundary Engineering pump which is showing galling. On measuring, the gears have been manufactured with some taper which is causing the clearance to close at certain points, and galling the surface . Fixable, but not ideal. He said he has seen this before with a Boundary pump in a Barra engine.

This is the first I've heard of such issues with the BE pumps. Disappointing for a part that's supposed to be an insurance policy of sorts.

Glad you're safe up there, despite the challenges!

It does seem like many parts are a kind of starter kit, with ‘some assembly required’ or in this case ‘remanufacturing’. It highlights to me why some mechanical stuff is best left to specialists. Or OEMs.

[greenMachine]

Good to see some progress happening.

Boundary pumps do have a few problems from time to time, I have seen comments that you are better off running a late model VVT pump, it is a little deeper therefore higher capacity. I have a Boundary pump in the new engine and have had no problems, but not many kms nor any hard track running (yet).

[ManiacLachy]

I've got one on the shelf, I'll be sure to get clearances checked when it's time to be put to use. It's a bit worrying when a critical component is upgraded for reliability, but it has reliability issues itself. Sadly, not a wholly uncommon scenario (Skunk2!)

[The American]

I don’t remember what I’ve said about the rebuild. Basically, there was a significant rear main seal leak to solve and a loss of compression on one cylinder.

The compression loss was a valve not sealing properly. The rear main diagnosis was a gouge in the crank surface where the seal runs, which apparently from a past seal removal.

The valves have been reseated, and the crank surface has been polished and crank seal smoke tested once the engine was fully assembled. So hopefully, those issues are solved.

The engine builder did not like the design of the Supertech pistons and pointed out early wear already showing (due to pin height?). So, a set of CP 9:1 pistons went in, with a set of sealed power rings (to reduce crank case pressure which might influence leaks).

Billet main caps replaced the cast factory units, and the piston oil squirters are now deleted. The engine now also has on of Herring’s silicon embossed head gaskets, and fresh bearings and seals throughout.

I hope that is it!

[greenMachine]

Fingers crossed for this one!

One question, why the deletion of the oil squirters? I see others commenting that they have done this, but ISTM they are A Good Thing for cooling pistons/transferring heat out of the engine via the oil/oil cooler.

[The American]

Fingers crossed for this one!

One question, why the deletion of the oil squirters? I see others commenting that they have done this, but ISTM they are A Good Thing for cooling pistons/transferring heat out of the engine via the oil/oil cooler.

I believe they are necessary with a cast piston. But undesirable for oil consumption and they sacrifice some oil supply to bearings.

I accepted his recommendation on this one.

[greenMachine]

Interesting, I need to ask Mania if they did the same to mine.

[The American]

I dropped the Black Rat off to the workshop this morning sans engine. The workshop will collect the engine from the builder and begin putting it all back together over the next two weeks.

Then it is off to the original tuner for a run in and recheck of the tune.

[The American]

TBR is back together again, and back home. Next stop is the dyno on Monday for run in and check of the tune.

[ManiacLachy]

Where's Lokiel with the excited baby gif?

That's awesome news! I'm curious to the power she makes, but more excited to hear your impressions when driving it. Very exciting