Mopar Muscle Association UK

As well as the bolts in the photo in the last post on the previous page, another one that's a problem is the LCA bushings. One specifically... Is there a trick to getting these out on the car?

One of the bars (drivers side RHD) came out forwards as there was no clip retaining it from the rear. The other one stayed where it was meant to be, but obviously you can't get behind the bushing to press it out.

Is there a trick?

Photo below shows it balanced back up on the old K frame while we figure it out.

The TB circlips are on the frame and prevent them coming out of the rear as they are intended on dismantling them.

You can buy a torsion bar removal tool - Beaver Steve can supply them - it's a clamp that you then welt with a hammer.

Knock the LCA forwards and either the TB will come out of it or more likely out of the X member.

No circlip on the driver side, Pete.

One of the bars is out, as you can see. Wrapped it in aluminium before clamping it to get the bushing out, so that one was not an issue. Is it a case of getting the other one out to do the same then?

Pete wrote:Knock the LCA forwards and either the TB will come out of it or more likely out of the X member.

Pounded it pretty well and it hasn't budged forward yet.

It is an interference fit, soak it and pound it some more; be careful not to nick the TB's. Heat, etc, prayers, sweat, toil, love, peace.........

The upper A arm bolts, the metal inner sleeve of the bush is probably rusted solid to the bolt, that's why there is some movement but they won't come out. There's little choice but to get medieval with it, the bolts are readily available (I might still have some). Cut through the bolts either side of the bush and drag it out. Fun it ain't.

Yep, I can see the recip saw coming out at this rate. Cheers, Blue!

I heard a rumour that the Twyford Speed Shop had succesfully managed to save the valve seats!

And in some quick time too! Gareth only took them down there during the week! Not seen the photo's or the heads yet, but thank's to Ivor for going over and above the call of duty. A proper Gent.

Hokay... Gareth came up at the weekend, so a weekend spent mostly cleaning parts up, wire brushing and jetwashing, more wirebrushing, more jetwashing, drying, washing parts in petrol, torquing up, then drinking beer. Heads came up too and they look great! Saved by Ivor! Cheers.

Took a day off today to do a bit more putting back together and go get those damn UCA bolts out...

Morning first, Nurse hangover, treat with sausage butty and plenty coffee... Timing cover and waterpump housing back on after a few minor problems, core bungs in, on to sump. Totally different gaskets to the nice full length rubber-jobby they show in the book, so was a bit paranoid when the front and rear seals went in and daylight could still be seen through... Is this right?

Took the advice and gooped down the corners where they meet the cork gaskets and whacked 'em down, so hope it's all sealed ok!

But short block done! Heads tomorrow night hopefully and we'll really be looking back in business.

PM... the fun job again... One side back together, so started out well....

T'other side? Well, arrange these words in any order you like. Just end the sentence with Bananarama!!

Heat, grazed knuckles, big hammer, Bananarama!, more heat, bigger hammer, Bananarama!, burny burny, Bananarama!, massive bar and massive hammer, Bananarama! knackered, hit it, twat it, burn it, kick it swear at it, bang your head on the inner wing as many times as is humanly possible, take off rest of knuckles, get out recip saw, Bananarama!, mangle it, lean head forward onto inner wing and gently start to weep...

Back up tomorrow with a better recip saw and the Billy Bad Ass Blades...

Blue, sorry Mate, I promise I'll have your ball joint socket back to you soon. Let me know if you need it back quicker and I'll get it back to you. Thank's for the loan, Mate.

Wish me luck, I'm going in!

Now THAT'S a saw!

It is Ivor, but sadly it STILL didn't do me any good... Not enough space to get pressure on it properly or wield the thing around. It was looking pretty damn dangerous anyway, but then halfway through one bolt and it kicked REALLY big and bounced the tip of the blade off the inner wing, nearly taking my fingers, the brake line and half the A arm with it!

So the damn things are STILL in there! Aaaargh!!! Can't even get a hacksaw in there to do it the hard way! Don't think an air saw will fit... Loosing my rag with the damn things now.

Anyway... Back to the drawing board and calmed down by heading back to do an easier job and start reassembling the heads.

Not huge wedges of progress last night. Started putting the heads back together again. A couple of hours with the twiddle stick lapping the valves and a lot of coffee. Never realised how long it took to do this! Thought it would be a much more productive night, but don't want problems down the road, so figured it a necessary evil and worth spending longer making sure.

Not without it's problems though, most were ok (some not brilliant, but ok) but don't think this bad boy is going to seat properly... cheapest place to get valves, anyone? Take it there is no problem replacing individual ones?