This is an exploration of a planned project that has gone a little sideways, I need support from the V12 gods in order to recover sanity.

Project - Distributorless Ignition and Fueling changes.

Problem - Need a crank sensor
Problem - Theres nowhere to mount one easily
Problem - I'm not using the Mobeck and the bracket they use is not available unless you do
Solution - Replace timing cover, souced cover with boss for sensor
Problem - The timing cover has six long studs and won't pull out straight
Problem - Official method requires heads removed

I have seen posts about people getting these things off but without pulling the heads, various advice including the tensioner must be 'parked' or you will never get the cover back on, this also requires the sandwich plate lowered, I'm OK with that but pulling the engine again was not top of the plan - not even on the plan ....

Is this project done for - I am not pulling those damn heads - how easy is it to get those studs out the timing cover I really don't want to start a one way trip by trying and messing them up - what an absolutely stupid *****g idea to use studs.

 

Ben
Why not find a mobile aluminium welder and get him to weld a suitable fixture onto the engine timing cover?

 

I've been told by Emerald that they do have a kit for this but it isn't in their store. I was in the process of drawing up a suitable bracket that I can print with a view to test fitting and getting something milled or made for sure.

Decided that dropping the sump / sandwich and messing about pulling the timing cover is a step too far - though I'm told that the benefits for what I am doing are huge and I already have a cover with the necessary boss on it.

Performance wasn't great for a V12 but found out that my fuel system was in really bad shape - as were the injectors, partly how I got to this point because it is just about the only stuff I haven't refurbed, now I have new injectors, fuel rails, ECU stuff and a rake of stuff to get into - like getting rid of the rats nest of vacuum lines, dumb solenoid valves and the need for the resistor pack. I even replace the idle air valve with an ECU driven one ...

Got to admit I was getting disillusioned with the process, I've really had enough but am in too deep to back out now. Suppose I should have joined others and done a project thread because it has been a journey that may help others.

Will the juice be worth the squeeze I keep asking .....

 

Courage, Ben, courage!
Are you saying you are going to use Emerald? If so, check that they can drive the high impedance injectors fitte OEM. I have a feeling a few years ago their system could not.

 

I am indeed using Emerald, a K6+ at the core, they're the ones that advised the EV14 which is a high impedence but modified to retain the hoses, I have 12 shiny new injectors. I need to get to work doing yet more harness work because the injectors are fired in pairs.

Oddly though they recommend retention of Jaguars vacuum managed fuel return pressure regulator and offeres some science as to why, all down to pressure differential across the injector nozzle vs the manifold air.

Collecting much of the bigger stuff on Saturday from Don, larger parts such as manifolds, fuel rails and other sundry stuff such as blanking plate for the valley

I need to get my bottom pulley off today as I want to take the pulley with me to get modified for the 36-1 tone ring / chopper. Don't suppose you know if it is right or left hand thread, I don't really have a puller that will fit but hope it doesn't need too much to get off.,

 

Normal RH thread, I think. Grant and Doug will know for sure. Very exciting project, I look forward to hearing how the emerald performs.

 

Pulley is off, damper is off - it is a standard RH - the Milwaukee made short work of it. Took me longer to get the radiators out of the way, worst was the oil cooler and I cheated I just loosened things and rolled it flat.

Sorry should have posted.

As for how it performs - so long since I drove the car I wonder how obvious it will be - though it was a bit of a dog when cold and didn't like to be pushed which is 100% the state the fuel system was really in not to mention the intake manifolds were barely finger tight. I will need a day on a dyno to dial things in but maybe I can document all that, remembering that I'm putting TWR manifolds on it and it will also have a less restrictive stainless exhaust.

 

Ben
The engine will need a thousand miles of hard work before it will be anything like its best. Please post pics of new bits such as the manifolds etc.

 

Will do ... bit of before n after, which I should really have done a better job of with the suspension side of stuff. I'll sort out a bit of a montage, I do have a lot of pictures but didn't take some that I perhaps should have because I was too focused on getting stuff done.