Anybody out there stripped and rebuilt this engine (Vauxhall XE 16v 2.0)

Did you replace the crank sprocket big bolt? Haynes doen't mention it but I have been told that I should.

Also did you manage to achieve the torque value?????? It is 250nm then 40 to 60 degrees, bent my Britool 3ft bar just getting 38 degrees (also split the Draper Torx socket and snapped the reaction bar I made that bolts to the 6 bolt front pulley mounting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thinking now about removing it, cleaning the threads up and loctiting it at 250 nm plus a few degrees extra?!

If my memory serves me correctly, according to the cambelt service manuals you are supposed to replace the bolt every time you change the cambelt.



Enjoy

I had one engine that I couldn't get this damned bolt undone on in the first place. broke a few sockets, adapters, even tried heating ti with a blow torch and giving it a whack to loosen it, to no avail.

I would imagine it's well worth replacing it if it's an old engine, though haing said that as long as it's torques up it shouldn't come undone

Ned.

I've done quite a few of these and whilst Vauxhall may say to replace it (I don't know, but doubt it) - it's not of stretch bolt design and will NOT break!

I have replaced them in the past - and on a comp engine I'm currently doing - simply for the reason that if as tight as yours, the head gets damaged during removal.

Heat will do nothing, and because if the very long fine thread (M16 fine x 82mm long), neither will hammer blows. You need a high impact air wrench to do the job. The one I use has 600 ft/lbs capability.

New bolts are available to order from your Vauxhall dealer. Part No: 90298206

By the way none of the above comments apply to the 8v (NE type engine) or the Ecotec which has a puny crank pulley bolt and does need replacing.

I only whacked it and heated it as I thought it might have been loctited or something...

Ned.

Cheers DW! Got mine out and put a new one in anyway in the end, just got a horrible feeling now because as a double safety measure, I loctited the new bolt in as well!!! Now I really don't think it will come out, whether by accident or intentionally!

PS meant to say, it was ok and ready for the racing at M+L on Sunday, car went quite nicely. Did you go to the MAP open at all Dave? (that's where my crank seal let go!!)

Yep, saw your car at the MAP. I go every year as I'm always on commentary at these big meetings. Cymdu this weekend!

By the way checked this morning and the crank pulley bolt is supposed to be "lightly oiled", not loctited.

Cheers,

Dave

Ahhhh! Didn't know you were on commentary! You'll have seen my smoke trail then! Had a really good fun race, especially considering the factor of 10 difference in cost between my car and the ones either side of me!!!

Looking around the pits I think mine is one of the lowest budget ones there now! (cost me about £600 to build, plus the engine and injection which I already had!)

My biggest problem now is with the gearing, I have a standard F20 'box in it and second gear is just too low, but third is far too high. The car was on the rev limiter for most of the race at MAP. Someone has mentioned the possibility of using an F18 cavalier Diesel 'box which is higher geared but I don't know??

Doh on the loctite!! Oh well, I'll worry about that one when I come to strip it down!! Doh!!

[Edited on 14/6/04 by NS Dev]

Nat, yes the diesel boxes do have taller second gears. They are just about OK for Class 5 but not really for 9. You have a choice of 2 solutions, both of which you know about - Quaife kit for about 1500 quid or a GBZ for about 3500!.

A good class 9 package today costs 20 grand. Billy will sell his Millington for 22, a lot of money but without doubt the most powerful 9 in the UK. Best of luck,

Cheers Dave, I'll give the diesel 'box a try (I presume the diff output splines and input shaft are the same as the F20??) it'll help the competitiveness!

I certainly don't expect to be on the level of "billy" and company but it's nice to mix it with them at the big meetings.

With a higher second gear I am pretty sure I will be capable of coming in 1st at my club meetings.

Just to check then, does the diesel F18 box fit everything the same as the F20? (because if not I'll need to make some new output flanges to suit my sierra CV's)

Cheers

Nat.