Hi, everybody! Fulfilling this topic's title, restoration is truly slow, but there is some progress.
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Before assembling connecting rods with new pistons, I'd decided to check the weight of the pistons, rods and pins. Pistons and pins were OK, but I was surprised, that there was a 10 gram difference between lightest and heaviest rod. So I'd made DIY tool for weighing connecting rods.
![Image](https://content2-foto.inbox.lv/albums/q/quattro99/Vauxhall_Viva/20230124-204902.jpg)
Weight almost exactly same on all rods.
![Image](https://content2-foto.inbox.lv/albums/q/quattro99/Vauxhall_Viva/20230124-204926.jpg)
Something's cooking in owen.
![Image](https://content2-foto.inbox.lv/albums/q/quattro99/Vauxhall_Viva/20230205-224937.jpg)
Piston and rod assemblies with rings installed
![Image](https://content2-foto.inbox.lv/albums/q/quattro99/Vauxhall_Viva/20230411-211732.jpg)
I'd replaced all the core plugs and camshaft bearings
![Image](https://content2-foto.inbox.lv/albums/q/quattro99/Vauxhall_Viva/20230221-210827.jpg)
![Image](https://content2-foto.inbox.lv/albums/q/quattro99/Vauxhall_Viva/20230221-213513.jpg)
I wanted to sandblast the engine prior to painting it, so I'd temporarily assembled the engine block with head, oil pan, valve cover and plugged all threads and holes.
![Image](https://content20-foto.inbox.lv/albums/q/quattro99/Vauxhall_Viva/20230317-195206.jpg)
After sandblasting.
![Image](https://content20-foto.inbox.lv/albums/q/quattro99/Vauxhall_Viva/20230324-122945.jpg)
![Image](https://content20-foto.inbox.lv/albums/q/quattro99/Vauxhall_Viva/20230324-122827.jpg)
I'd took the engine apart and thoroughly washed out all the sand from head and block. Almost looks like freshly cast.
![Image](https://content20-foto.inbox.lv/albums/q/quattro99/Vauxhall_Viva/20230325-183711.jpg)
![Image](https://content20-foto.inbox.lv/albums/q/quattro99/Vauxhall_Viva/20230325-183758.jpg)
You can have it in any color you like as long as it's black.
![Image](https://content20-foto.inbox.lv/albums/q/quattro99/Vauxhall_Viva/20230330-181544.jpg)
![Image](https://content20-foto.inbox.lv/albums/q/quattro99/Vauxhall_Viva/20230331-195749.jpg)
Also I'd cleaned and sent to recoat with zinc all the bolts, nuts and washers.
![Image](https://content20-foto.inbox.lv/albums/q/quattro99/Vauxhall_Viva/20230325-194643.jpg)
Installing crankshaft and camshaft.
![Image](https://content2-foto.inbox.lv/albums/q/quattro99/Vauxhall_Viva/20230406-215114.jpg)
![Image](https://content2-foto.inbox.lv/albums/q/quattro99/Vauxhall_Viva/20230406-220807.jpg)
Pistons and connecting rods installed.
![Image](https://content2-foto.inbox.lv/albums/q/quattro99/Vauxhall_Viva/20230411-215345.jpg)
![Image](https://content2-foto.inbox.lv/albums/q/quattro99/Vauxhall_Viva/20230411-220217.jpg)