Hi Syncronauts,
After getting my Syncro, (her name's Sylia) cooling system checked and a good second hand radiator put in with new coolant at my local mechanic here in Byron Bay, the hose burst on the water pump return pipe the first time it got hot.
Very disappointing!
Even more disappointing was that after the hose was replaced the motor sounded weird and water was found in the oil indicating a blown head.
I figured heads are easy to fix, after doing several inline 4's and 6's, so i pulled the motor out and ripped the heads off to find a broken head stud, with the rest of the studs being in bad condition.
So this then meant the cases have to be split to fix the head studs.
The Syncro didn't have proper coolant in it when I bought it and I didn't put it in straight away, even though you lot have mentioned it time and time again, so I know it's my own fault.
Just such a bummer to have just had a the system tested, flushed and new coolant to be put in for it to only last 20 mins.
So I have the engine apart, the heads have been sent to the gold coast somewhere to be serviced for $500.
They both had small cracks between the valves so I am fingers crossed hoping that they will pass a pressure test.
Byron Mechanical have a mill and a set up to drill out the head studs once cut short, that they reckon it takes 4-5 hours at $80 ($400) plus the inserts (not helicoils) they put in.
They told me the new head studs weren't expensive but when i was there yesterday steam cleaning the cases in prep for the work , I found out that they are $700 at trade price!!!!
And they corrode and snap if you don't look after them.
I reckon I could design and have them made in titanium for less, maybe even in unobtanium sprinkled with fairy dust.
I heard there were stainless steel head studs available but I haven't found them online, has anyone tried them? cost?
Also considering just grabbing a second hand running wbx mv 2.1 as I have seen some come up for sale here from time to time, does anyone have one available or any leads?
I have a couple of mates with syncro's who are preparing for an engine swap, one with a zetec motor in Melbourne and another in brisbane who's saving for a subaru 2.0l turbo diesel but neither are ready to let go of the wbx's yet.
Also any suggestions of other places to get the heads studs done might come in handy as now Byron Mechanicals Mill is having an electrical issue they hope to fix today after shocking the owner a couple of days ago.
Cheers
Paul