Citroen XM Forum

The cam looks fine. I note the engine has the later style cam cover, which means the gasket is available.

Just use the best bits of both to make a good engine. You don't need to worry about timing until you refit the camshaft carrier. Just time it up as you go. If you want to be able to turn the camshaft once mounted, rotate the crank backwards 1/4 turn and leave it there, that way the pistons will al be half way up the bores and well away from the valves. Time the cam and pin it, then bring the crank forwards and pin it.

Torquing the head bolts with the engine in the car is useful as they do need a good pull on a bar to angle tighten them. Make sure the holes and threads are clean and lightly oil the bolts. Don't run oil downt he holes as you run the risk of hydraulically cracking the block. An angle guage is a nice to have tool, but not essential as it is 2 x 90 degree turns.
It's worth lapping the valves in whaile the head is off. Be careful when removing the old valve guide seals, the guides can be crimped quite easily, which will cause sticky valves.

Exciting Stuff Russ, looks like its going to be a good project!
Lots of pictures please.

D

Maybe not as exciting as a V6 Dean, but if this project works, I will be more than delighted!
I will post as many pics as I can. This won't be a quick project by any means, I'm dedicating the summer to it!


Thanks Will for your advice. Extremely helpful.
The plan is to do as you say, use all the good bits and make up a decent engine. It might end up being a sandwich of original cam, new head and original block. I also want to replace as many difficult to get at, which is basically all of them, oil seals an excellent any dodgy looking pipework. The metal pipes on the back of the dismantled engine are in excellent condition.

I'm no expert at all, but the cam I have taken off looks okay. No heavey scoring or pitting. One thing I would like an experts eye to have a look at is the turbo. Just to see if it's okay.
The Haynes book of lies mentions if the head bolts haven't stretched beyond a certain measurement, they can be reused. But I think I will just replace them anyway. I need to go get a torx bit for the head bolts today so I can get the head off and I will be getting an angle measurerer thing.
I am planning on lapping in the valves. I am expecting them to be quite coked up, so it would be beneficial to clean it all up and have them sitting properly.

Lots to plan, buy and do!

If the turbo hasn't been causing smoke when left idleing for an extended period, it will be fine. Just check the impellar for any obvious damage. Turbo bearings are plain bearings with th eshaft running on a film of oil, so some play in the shaft is normal.

That's answered my concerns spot on. Thanks Will.

Forgot to mention... this has happened.

I was going to say is it an exciting Mitsibushi but then caught myself.............

Rob

There are two different xm key blades in that photo. Why?

Dieselman wrote:There are two different xm key blades in that photo. Why?

There is one key from the old car. Never bothered to take it off for some reason. And the key fob key is different from the mandarins original set as I changed the ignition barrel.

cxprestigeauto wrote:I was going to say is it an exciting Mitsibushi but then caught myself.............

Rob

Well it's three cylinder and turbo charged. And I have to say it flies along surprisingly quickly. But the ride is epically awful. It really makes the Xm feel super smooth!

Mitsubishi Colt 1.3 Turbo?

D