1994 Maestro Van - added Special K..

Fair enough! Anyhow, the tide went down and seeing as a part I needed had arrived in the post, as it was a really nice day with nothing else planned, I decided to see how far I could get on the initial "First Fix" of getting the lump in. So, after much cursing and swearing, kicking and heaving, I got the crane, complete with engine and gearbox, to here...

Some of the sharper eyed amongst you may see an alignment tool poking out of the front hub - just a piece of 22mm copper pipe between the drive hubs so I could assess where the gearbox would end up in relation to the drive shafts...

Yes, it's rough and ready but it works... anyway, you remember what I said about the MG ZTT rear crash bar? Can that, it slipped around too much so a quick visit to the local Homebase procured a 3x3 fence post 6ft long, which along with some cheap ratchet straps enabled me to get shot of the crane...

But, how that was rigged meant it hung wrong; the engine needs to tilt forwards a bit to allow the engine mounts to sit level, so I had a quick re-arrangement and after some more swearing, got it on it's own engine mount points, which allows in to hang 'right-ish';

As you can see on this pic, I'd heaved the engine into a position of squareness to the subframe/slam panel, marked, drilled and put in the initial support bolts. That chassis leg is thicker than it looks as the original mounts are attached to a thick steel plate inside, welded into position. I thought the engine looked a bit high, but actually when looked at for bonnet clearance, it's ok, and the sump is level with the bottom of the front crossmember. The suspension is set up for a diesel so it like it's on stilts, even with this lot hanging on it, so I think a new front end may be in order to bring the driveshaft angles less acute. Anyway, onwards...

 With the engine level and square and attached at the gearbox end, it was time to work out what would be needed at the other end. It was hanging at about the right angle, so I assessed whether the frame would need chopping... no, doesn't look like it! I then got hold of the massive boat anchor that masquerades as an engine mount for the diesel and offered that up...

You may just be able to see the bolt hole in the top of the frame for the front mount hole - now at the right position, the hydromount just clears the frame at the back, so, I decided to get the old angle grinder out and have a chopping session, once I'd sort of sussed what needed to be lost..

I do, but the balanced flue for the gas boiler comes out just where it would need to be erected; and the 'patio' is at the bottom of a sloping garden.... I'll just have to pick my battles...

I thought I'd stick some meat on the bones of the latest activity; after a few days of collecting junk/emptying sheds etc and planning a raid on the Dump, I decided, seeing as the weather was smiling upon me, to do some further rootling with regards to the lower engine mount. To recap; I had 'found' an alternator and fitted it to the brackets I had to buy...

It is the wrong 'hand' but at least proves the clearances...

Then I fitted the late model Metro clutch cable, straight fit, no fiddling required!

So then it was on to the Metro lower gearbox mount. After much head scratching, the old (tired) brain remembered my lad's Metro is still sat arounf my Mums, so armed with a phone, off i toddled and took some 'aim and hope' photos of the arm. A-Ha! Thats how it fits! So, once home I dug out a pair of axle stands and lifted the front end up to have a look....

It fits in this 'ere 'ole; well, bolts to the two tapped 'oles on the 'box, sort of like this:

But it wouldn't fit because one side of the bracket on the subframe is in the way, so, out with the grinder and slitting disc and off came the front of the bracket!

Two secondhand and slightly too short to be safe bolts later and its in position, but, even better, it lines up very well with the remaining side of the bracket....

And, once the old exhaust is cut away, there will be room for some custom gear shift links to go in....

I ran out of time/enthusiasm to make a pair of brackets for this today, but I now know it is all looking as though it'll fit a lot easier than I thought!