More on Ur-q engine

["Jim Haseltine" <Jim@ur-q.freeserve.co.uk>]

Removed the crank pulley bolt with minimum effort using a 9 inch long 1/2
drive ratchet. Found the remains of the woodruff key although at first I
thought that it had disappeared completely - it now looks more like a piece
of shrapnel. There was also rather a lot of rubber shavings there, looks as
if the key took out chunks of both the front seal and the timing belt.

Looks like at some time in its life the harmonic damper/v-belt pulley has
been given one h*ll of a whack with a chisel and some other heavy object -
the damage is to the centre of the three v-grooves so isn't in a part that
gets used but I'm in two minds whether to replace it.

On a slightly different subject, I took a look at the 84 coupe, Dark
metallic blue, badged 'GT' - for GBP275 this wasn't bad and rather than
drive a Metro for the next few weeks I've bought it. The interior has
suffered, with the drivers seat well worn but the car drives and handles
well. New headlight reflectors and cambelt, but the exhaust is blowing, the
alternator sounds like the bearings are on the way out and the engine won't
idle. The fact that the ISV isn't connected properly and looks as if it
isn't the correct one for the car (looks identical to the one fitted to the
mb engine) might well have something to do with it. Both windows work,
drivers one is slow, both the bonnet and the sunroof are in much better
condition than the ones on the mb so I know where they are going to end up.
The up-shift indicator works - first one that I've ever seen.
Being sold by a guy called Steve Payne......

Jim Haseltine