geoffbeaumont

It wasn't bandwidth we got pulled for though, it was processor load - the forum software puts a much higher load on the processor than a simple download such as an image. However...this forum software is provided by Canaca as part of the hosting package, along with a number of other highly dynamic solutions, and we weren't actually working it that hard. However, even with simple downloads I doubt it would be possible to get close to the bandwidth limits without putting considerable demands on their plainly very inadequate hardware. Further, Canaca gave no warning that they weren't happy with our usage but simply pulled the plug without even telling us, which is totally unacceptable. There is nothing in their contract or FAQs to suggest that processor load is severely limited, in such a way as to make the stated limitations on the account essentially meaningless (and at best misleading). I already had a suspicion, given the PHP errors we've been seeing, that their hardware wasn't up to the job - and we've been getting those right from day one, when there were only a couple of dozen users on the forum...

The head is still on there at the moment - not in a tearing hurry to remove it again if I don't have to. Hadn't thought of wrapping something round the drill bit - I'll see what I can find. Bit of gaffer tape would be better than nothing, I guess. Unfortunately, I don't think I have anything suitable to practice on, so I'll just have to risk diving straight in...

Helicoil kit on the way (should be able to pick it up from The Toolbox this afternoon). Never used one before, so no idea what I've let myself in for. Hopefully a couple of new head bolts arriving from MM4x4 as well. The hex bolt was 7/32" (which is fractionally over 5.5mm).

I've switched off some of the forum features to reduce server load, and hopefully keep us on line, at least until I can get to the bottom of how much traffic we're actually allowed on this '600Gb' account...so if you're looking for something that isn't there any more (like users currently online) that's where it's gone

Apologies for the recent absence of this forum - our host Canaca pulled the plug on us yesterday, without any form of notice, for 'overloading'. They switched off my entire account - email, database admin, control panel, the works, so first I knew about it was when I tried to access the site. This was Canaca's extremely helpful response to my support request: The hosting package I have is their Gold account, which they advertise as having 600Gb of bandwidth and 30Gb of storage - neither of which we have come anywhere close to! In fact, I doubt we've even come close to the bandwidth limits on their basic package. They also advertise 99.9% uptime, which they clearly have no intention of honouring. Anyone know anything about Canadian trade descriptions laws? And no, the disappearance of this forum had nothing to do with the reappearance of the former LRE one (which I don't know any more about than the rest of you). As of 10.10am (GMT) Canaca have just switched us back on: As to exactly how much load is '10% of ... system resources' I'm going to have to try to find out from them. Sounds like they're running supposedly high capacity accounts on very low spec servers... Needless to say, I'm not a satisfied customer.

Sorry if we've offended you HfH. Do I need to make some modifications to the bad word list?

You're surely not going to all the trouble of building MogLite and still using a dizzy?!!

Nah, life's good at the moment. If it wasn't for that wretched car... ...which would mean finding someone with an engine hoist Guess I'll just put it back together and see how it goes. I suppose I might get away with it in the short term, but I'm sure it'll mean early failure of the head gasket. Even though this bracket is a late model year modification? I'll buy one of each and see if one fits better.

That certainly trumps the stirrup pump and pop bottles I was messing around with last week

The slight catch in this case being that it's sheared at the top of the thread, so it's well down inside the block. I might just have to reassemble everything else and see how it goes. Not good My good hex keys are the type that fit a half inch socket adaptor - I'll have to get a 5.5mm one tomorrow.

...and just to add to the fun, some bright spark decided to attach the alternator bracket to the left hand head with a 5.5mm hex bolt Needless to say, my good hex key set goes up in 1mm increments. I've got a 5.5mm allen key, but that just twists. I'd leave the bracket where it is, but on this model year ('93) it covers the front middle row head bolt, so I can't. Given the force I was putting on the allen key I'm not even hugely confident it'll shift with a decent key - more likely strip it

Bugger!!! Umm, what do I do about a sheared number one cylinder head bolt (centre of the inside row)...? Is it possible to tap it and get it out, or have I just written my block off? It's way to much to hope for that I could get away with leaving it out, isn't it?

That's right, just give me more to worry about. La, la, la, la, I can't hear you... I reckon I can just about get it all back together today so it can get me to work tomorrow - besides, I've no way of actually getting any more parts, now...

Now that really would upset the insurers

Hmm, that was what was worrying me. Certainly takes the shine of alloy pots if they find their way in accidentally. Guess I'll give it a try with the rocker covers before I put anything really vital in there.

Yep - all my caving gear (including ropes and tapes) goes through the washing machine. Just don't use any powder or softener. Ideally, use a separate machine that doesn't ever have powder in it, but not many of us run to that!

That's what I figure - my kitchen, too

Mine's done 147k. If money wasn't so tight right now I'd put a new cam in as a matter of course (maybe new timing gear too?), but I'm desperately trying to pay off all the repair bills from the last few months. At the end of the day if it does go soon I've lost thirty quids worth of gaskets and a weekends work - spare time is at a bit of a premium, but not as much as money at the moment! If I do have to strip it down again and money's not quite such an issue I might well take Steve Lundlack's advice and have the heads skimmed back to raise the compression for LPG. I should have the MSnEDIS on soon, so I'll be able to run heavily retarded ignition when on petrol to cope with it. According to Steve 1mm off the heads will give 10.3:1 compression for much better torque and economy on LPG, at the expense of reducing petrol to essentially a 'limp home' mode. The other option he suggested was 0.6mm off the heads for 10.1:1 compression, which if I recall correctly was still usable with a common ignition map. Hmm, one of Steve's cams would be nice too, if the bank balance stretched to it - and the insurance company didn't get too nervous...

The dishwasher or washing powder (judging by the foam )? Edited to say: Or alloy bits? Obviously they are fine...

I know this was covered extensively on the other place, but I can't go there anymore Several people on here have recommended using a dishwasher for parts washing - is this okay for alloy parts? Any idea where I can get salt free dishwasher powder? And is that still caustic (think that would rule out doing alloy bits)? Would washing powder (for clothes) be any good?

Just keep your foot on the accelerator

Changed my mind - after looking at the gasket photos on RPI's website, mine is fairly well gone. That's good - something fixable Cleaned up the head and it passed the ruler'n'torch test, so hopefully I'm okay there, too.

Mine doesn't do that (3.9 Hotwire) - if you unplug the MAF meter it won't run on petrol at all.

Well, right hand back is now stripped down - the exhaust ports on the front two cylinders (2 & 4) are steam cleaned, but I can't see any sign of this within the cylinders themselves or in the intakes ports (guess that rules out the valley gasket). No obvious places where coolant has been leaking past the gasket, nor can I see any cracks in the block. What should I be looking for, or should I just clean it all up and reassemble it and hope for the best? The engine actually looks in good nick - cam looks reasonable, tappets are all fine. So hopefully if I can sort this I won't be having to open it up again for quite a while

Answered that one for myself - lever them out with a spanner Random unrelated question: If you have an injected LPG kit, where do the injectors go? Do you have to change the intake manifold for one with two sets of injector ports?