I'm still in, and still driving the BA XR6 but looking forward to meeting some of the guys from this forum!

See you Friday night

Maybe you could submit this shell to an art gallery "The relentless ravage of time" you could call it, or "Floorless carriage".....

I can attest to the ca18det_man crossmember too...fit nice, had some difficulties with the rest of my CA project for now, so the xmember sits on my shelf until after the A15 has a run in the hole.

Hey all....still a bit stuck after some penetrating spray, and a bit of belting.

Crank is off, you can see here:

Block n pistons

More of the process to get to here has been documented too...just for the hell of it.

The engine strip down

I'm going to get some wet n dry sandpaper and try and get rid of a bit more of the rust that way...then see where I stand.

Appreciate the help.

Hey all,

I've been stripping down an A12, to then put back together again - all as a learning process.

Now I've come this far I'm considering rebirthing it. New gaskets, clean up all the old parts....

The probelm is the cylinder bore is a bit rusty and the pistons are not keen to come out of the block.

I thinking of buying an engine cylinder hone today to rip out all the rust....what I'm wondering - is there a better way to get these pistons out?

I like your thinking there Dats-hot, if your going to do a job might as well do it properly!

By the way (and I haven't bothered researching here) what does that flapper valve in the exhaust manifold do? All it seems to do is restrict the flow of exhaust gas...

Signed wondering

Yeah...could have been a lot worse.

I imagine it's the first of many...working on old cars is always going to lead to trouble sooner or later.

I still think one of the more satisfying points of owning the 1200 is the support, and sense of community the car creates on this site.

Happy to report to all...the bolt came out.

Method:
Sprayed rust penetrant all over the area...left overnight.
Came back the next day sprayed rust penetrant all over...left overnight.
Belted the crap out of the bolt head with a hammer (well a few persuasive taps anyway)
Got a 13mm socket from the Kincrome set and belted it onto the head of the 14mm bolt.
Much grunting and elbow snapping and presto! Manifolds now separated.

Belting on 13mm (w/bolt cutters)
Couldn't find the hammer

Then removed bolt with some vice grips
Bolt removal

The finished product

Appreciate everybody's input!

Hey sunn124

To help us answer your question, can you first tell us which state/country you live in (putting it in your profile would be best), also what model, or at least year of Sunny will also help with people answering you.

Welcome to the forums!

I think the only problem using a cheap-ass chinese socket will be that the ratchet that comes with it cannot supply any torque to the bolt....a Kincrome (hi quailty brand in Oz) supplies the torque but I guess might be harder to belt down.

pitanando I have heard that heating up bolts breaks up the rust (heat the bolt to glowing). The rust burns off (I'm told).

I don't have a blow torch at the moment...but might be something I invest in.

Don't have a welder either or I could try some of the welding solutions I have heard of.

I'm home in a few hours, then the excitement will begin....