Vauxhall Firenza HC 1972 complete restoration

[jimfytakis]

I decided to post a topic with the restoration of my firenza...i started bodywork last year,however I had some economic problems and the project stopped...The car is currently stripped and the only thing on it is engine gearbox differential...

Its been a month I started buying parts again...Until now,I ve bought a pair of brake regulators,a clutch kit,a selonoid valve,timing chain kit,a few bearings for the engine and Im waiting to receive a column indicator switch,valve springs,rear tail light unit plus a few more things...

Luckily,most of the ebay sellers help a lot,as most of them have a great experience considering which is the suitable part...

the car a few weeks after I bought it...Looks really nice...
http://s221.photobucket.com/albums/dd12 ... C00230.jpg

But dont forget...she's almost 40y-old
http://s221.photobucket.com/albums/dd12 ... C00230.jpg

Hopefully there is little rust appart from the left side of the car(driver's floor) and the trunk
http://s221.photobucket.com/albums/dd12 ... IM1044.jpg


According to the service number ID plate my car has these options
230 anti freeze max protection
347 radial tyres
352 cigarette likghter
367 opening rear quarter window
393 reverse lamps
395 electric temp gauge
400 heavy duty alternator
430 electrically heated rear window
547 Hazzard warning flashes "555"
661 rubber mats replaced by carpet
715 special requirements for Holland

93337 HOL 778090 4YW 1X2

From these series of numbers and letters I couldnt find what 778090 represents...
From the service plate that shows that my car meets the requirements for Holland (715) can I assume that its a low compression 1256cc engine as all the overseas?

I hope by the end of this summer, engine,axles,gearbox and every other mechanical part will have been rebuilt and painted..In case something goes wrong,the only one to blame will be my 1979 opel manta which also has its needs!!
http://s221.photobucket.com/albums/dd12 ... manta2.jpg

[dann01]

Both are handsome looking cars... Must say I have a soft spot for the manta.

Let us know how you get on and post more pics.

Dan

[jimfytakis]

http://s221.photobucket.com/albums/dd12 ... ent=vx.jpg
A few parts I bought recently most of them NOS,except the reversing light..

http://s221.photobucket.com/albums/dd12 ... nt=vx1.jpg
New valve springs,conrod bearings,pair of brake regulators,cam bearings,column switch etc..

I m now bidding on a head gasket set..

regreatably the project will delay a little as now I m repainting my manta..
Propably this summer I will rebuild the engine.I m thinking of painting the engine with por-15 as it is said is one of the best paints with high heat resistance and long lasting effects.

I also want to tune a little the engine..It is currently equipped with a pair of 40 webber and irmscher induction...Any ideas for safe and reliable tuning?I will be happy with somewhat of 65-70hp on the flywheel.

[oli8925]

If I remember correctly this is a good place to have a read

www.chevettes.com/info-tuning.php

Although the site seems to be down at the time of me posting this

[jimfytakis]

I ve already read this article more than twice...Definately 80hp on the flywheel are good for such a lightweight car..
However I wont be able to find these parts especially in Greece

[oli8925]

Quite right, I've been looking for the cam and 4 branch manifold for a couple years with no luck.

Carbs shouldn't be a problem, you can get a standard Viva head modified by a good engine builder and a 2" exhaust made up. I'm planning to do basically the same as Mr. Bottomley has done on his 1159 but on my 1256.

new cam bearings + new 90 spec cam

New Hepolite Pistons lightened and balanced

conrods balanced end to end and as a set plus lightened caps and tops (every gram removed helps with conrods)

crank, flywheel and clutch cover all balanced.I didn't lighten the flywheel as I wanted to keep torque.

new bearings and take a lot of time building up the bottom end to correct settings

new high capacity oil pump (I am seeing 90psi cold and 60psi hot even at 2000 rpm)

4inot 1 manifold 1.5" dia pipes, inot 2" side exit system.

Webber DCD 28/36 carb

electronic ignition (still to re spring the dizzy so its hold the advance curve better)

Head fully ported, with offset valve guides and large valves, skimmed to give higher compression.

Read more: http://retrorides.proboards.com/index.c ... =1#1258081

[jimfytakis]

Reprofiling the cam would also be an option,but I prefer not to do so as I dont have a spare one...Same thing with the head.Apart from that,head is made of cast iron and the only thing that can be done without risk is just polishing..
As far as the carbs i thing a pair of 40 weber is enough combined with the irmscher induction and some polishing to improve the air flow.I m also thinking of increasing the CR to 9.5:1 and oversizing the pistons(btw how much can I oversize the cylinder?)

[oli8925]

I would have thought a pair of 40's would be overkill. I'm planning to use a single 40DCOE, Blydenstine recommends a single 45DHLA after all the head and exhaust work.

From what I've found the majority of spare engine parts for the 1256 are in +0.020" with the odd bit of standard stuff around, so I'm going for 0.020". I've got a head with some work done and skimmed to give 10:1 compression. I was supposed to be building the engine this summer but I think I'll have to put it on hold.

There are often a few standard 90 cams on eBay for not too much, don't know how much shipping to Greece would be though...

[hbpeter]

Twin 40's is too much on a 1256, a single 40/45 is more than enough for road use. I think you can goto a max of +060", but really only go as far as you need to, to make the engine healthy again.

Peter

[jimfytakis]

I would have thought a pair of 40's would be overkill. I'm planning to use a single 40DCOE, Blydenstine recommends a single 45DHLA after all the head and exhaust work.

Sorry i didnt mean two pairs of double webers but a twin weber with two throttles.
http://s221.photobucket.com/albums/dd12 ... 009070.jpg


From what I've found the majority of spare engine parts for the 1256 are in +0.020" with the odd bit of standard stuff around, so I'm going for 0.020". I've got a head with some work done and skimmed to give 10:1 compression. I was supposed to be building the engine this summer but I think I'll have to put it on hold.

There are often a few standard 90 cams on eBay for not too much, don't know how much shipping to Greece would be though...

Yes I know...Unfortunatelly last time I saw one I havent read that article yet...I ll buy one sometime...