Quick (hopefully) project SX/4

[Draekon]

Well, I wasn't really planning on buying a project car, but my sx/4 seems to be developing into a small project.  It was drivable when I bought it, and easily made it 500 miles to its new home, aside from a couple minor issues.  So today I pulled in into the garage planning to do a quick replacement of the valve cover gasket.  10 hours later, the sx/4 is still in the garage, but now with half the engine torn apart.  I only have about 10 days before returning to school, so I can only hope not too many other issues arrise.

Everything was going well disassembling for the valve cover gasket, until I got the valve cover off.  The head was caked with carbon deposits everywhere it could find its way to, not a good sign.  Seeing this, I ran to the parts store and picked up a head gasket kit and prepared myself for removing the head.  Removing the intake/exhaust manifold assembly was not as easy as I was expecting.  Some of those bolts are a p.i.t.a. to remove.  Anyone have any tips for these?  Im not sure how to torque them when its time for reassembly because of the location of some of the bolts.
Eventually, I did get the head removed, and I was relieved to see that the cylinder walls are in pretty good condition.  The rest of the block has a lot of buildup in it, and the oil passages don't seem to flow the best.  I'd really like to not have to pull the motor, but I'm going to need to try and get this cleaned out somehow.  Any suggestions?  The head is no issue, but I don't want any of the deposits clogging the oil passages in the block.

After I get the engine reassembled, I shouldn't have too much work that needs to be done.  The driver side mirror is broken, the fuel gauge doesn't work, the door hinge pins need replacement, there are a couple more drivetrain leaks, and the headliner sags.  But other than that, she is in pretty good shape.

Here are some obligatory pictures:
In the garage, getting ready to be worked on


Quick shot of the interior


Engine before tear down


Gunked up head and rocker posts


Cylinders

[85AmCfreak]

Do you have the TSM or the Chilton manual for the eagle if you don't, get one just for reference. the torque specs for the intake and head should be in there or try the eaglepedia. I remember looking at a diagram when i did mine,  Nice looking car otherwise, sounds like you got a bit of work cut out for you good luck

[mudkicker715]

For the bolts. On the manifolds just use a combination of deepwell socket regular and different lengths of extension. Get creative of where your going and there easyish to get at.

What's that red cylinder thing on the heater core line?

[Draekon]

I have a chiltons from '82 (it came with the car) so I have all the torque specs.  It doesn't have any wiring diagrams though so I may look for a new version.

The red cylinder on the heater core hose is an electric heater and pump.  The car originated from Alaska, so it needed it for the cold nights.

[Whuntmore]

What's that red cylinder thing on the heater core line?

I have the exact same thing on my car.  My donor car came with that inline coolant heater, so we put it on 'Flicker'.  That sucker will keep the coolant pretty warm.  We tried it, and from a cold start (cold, ya right) she's blowing warm air as soon as you fire it up.

Nice SX/4 Draekon.  post lots of pics during this project.  and keep us up to date.  well done!  egg at ya.

[IowaEagle]

Universal sockets and/or universal adapter may be helpful too.  A 1/4" drive set is handy for the reinstall of those manifold bolts.

[Jurjen]

I could get away with a 3/8"set and extensions.
That head really looks gunked up.
Wow, good advise is difficult. I understand that you don't want to take the engine apart any further.
In Europe we use oil system flush treatments from Wynn's and Forte just before an oil change.
I understand that in the US Seafoam or Marvel mystery oil is used.
I know that Forte really cleans the oil system.
What is wise? Seeing the head the way it is, I'm almost certain that the sump (and oil suction line) will almost look the same inside.
Inspecting the sump, means removing the engine, or drop the CV-shafts and front diff.

[beej8508]

That is a great looking car!  By chance, is this the car that was for sale in Coeur d' Alene Idaho?

[Draekon]

Wow, I got caught up with other things and never got a chance to update on what I was taking care of.

beej8508: it is the one that was for sale in CdA

I got the head cleaned up.  And installed back on the motor, and everything hooked back up.  If I had the time I would have really liked to rebuild the motor, but it just isn't an option right now.  Having the head cleaned up at least makes me feel a little better.  I just hope there isnt too much sediment in the oil pan or on the pickup screen.  Heres some pics of the quick cleaning job.  Not a perfect job, but itll do:



I also took the driver side mirror off the car as it was hanging loosely and not adjustable.  It turns out the bolt holes that hold the mirror shield onto the mounting base were mangled (looked like someone tried to fix it before), and 2 of the 3 cables had broken off from the mirror.  So after getting it all torn apart and examining it, it looked fixable, but upon further inspection, it turns out the cables are frozen or catching on something.  There is no visible damage to the cable, but only one will slide through without resistance, and one won't slide through at all.  I'll be buying some generic mirrors for the time being.

[85AmCfreak]

without damage to the seals ?

[Draekon]

I finally got a chance to work on my SX4 again this past week, after being away from it for 3 months.

The first thing I did was prep and paint a spoiler.  I didn't take any before pics of the spoiler because I got a little anxious to get started, but here is some pictures of primer then paint.  I went with a flat black paint and a high gloss clear coat.  I like the final look of it with the rest of the car.






I then started tearing apart the interior to give it a good cleaning.  I was going to paint the panels, but didn't have the time/money for it.  I found a couple big smelly rats nests in the hatch area that I had to clean out, and they made a nice mess of my insulation, so I went ahead and replaced the insulation on the panels.  The insulation on the center piece isn't the final form that I installed it in.  I didn't have a pattern to work with for that one, so I filled the entire back and then trimmed what I had needed to get it to fit.





My "new" DIN radio center panel


Trunk release solenoid installed


Templates for the holes to mount the spoiler


I also redid my headliner, but I forgot to take a picture of it.  I'll try and remember to take a picture in the next couple days.

Here she sits before leaving to go back to school


On the trip back to school

[Draekon]

The popper I got with the spoiler from someones parts car.  It had everything except the contact strip which I  custom made with some copper.
When I first installed it and tried to actuate it, it wouldnt work.  So I took it back off and noticed the soldered connector underneath the motor had popped loose.  It was a pain to get new solder to stick too.  You should check to make sure yours are still in tact before claiming the motors to be dead.

I'm not going to worry about  the motor for now.  I'm getting a new one this summer, so I'm not worried about the current state of this one anymore.

[shanebo]

Thats a great looking Sx4. Interior looks to be in nice shape too....By the way is it my eyes or is that steering wheel simulated wood grain on the top and bottom....I have never come across one like that.

[IowaEagle]

Looks good to me!

[mojobean]

I agree, your SX/4 is looking pretty sweet!! I sincerely hope you will bring it to the 2011 Cascade Rambler Rendevouz in Bonney Lake this august! You MUST show off your Eagle!!!!