7 hours ago
Yesterday and today I have been taking the old engine out of the Pytchley in readiness for installing the new unit. The dynamo, starter, carburettor and manifold were all removed prior to lifting the engine, to be fitted on the new engine. Removal of the ancillaries greatly reduced the dead weight of the old engine. Being fitted with a Nippy type deep sump, I was not looking forward to the big lift. It is so long since I built the Pytchley I could not remember whether the body had been fitted before the engine or vice versa. The firewall is fitted with a large removable plate that is intended to facilitate engine removal but it has never been put to the test. With the gearbox detached the engine was pulled forward and upwards as far as it would go. The two rear spark plugs and the rear manifold stud were removed. This allowed the deep sump to clear the chassis nose piece and the engine was apparently stuck at an angle of about 45 degrees. With a small trolley jack under the sump plug I raised the back of the engine a small amount which freed it and with help from my step son it lifted straight out, much to my relief. The new engine will have a standard sump so hopefully the fitting will be straightforward.
