HERE WE GO…

Fall, 2004 - Removed engine!  I also removed inner right rear panels to be able to get to the right rear fender to push out the damage

March, 2005 - Disassembled G-Lader - doesn't look good inside with spiral grooves all over the place where dirt was coming in contact with the seals while still rotating around, if the seals were even still where they were supposed to be.  We did find a strip or two out of the supercharger.

March 26th - Cleaned engine bay.

It cleaned up pretty good except for where the battery sits.  Looks pretty rusty, but I will just blast it off and paint it.

April 3rd - Now, seeing as though the original g-lader is not fixable, I have bought another one...I have been told it is in good working condition and already has new seals and a new timing belt with it...just need to replace the bearings inside.

April 7th - Removed clutch, flywheel, oil filter, housing, oil cooler, distributor, fuel injectors, and intake manifold.

I had a chance to blast a few pieces, but not everything.

April 13th - Removed right door seal, seatbelt track, door panel, door latch, handle

April 16: Placed engine on engine stand, removed supercharger bracket, alternator, exhaust manifold, down pipe, belt pulleys, valve cover, blasted and painted supercharger bracket, a few other brackets

April 17th - Disassembled the rest of the engine down to the block and crankshaft, blasted and painted the rest of the brackets and small pieces

April 23rd - Blasted and painted flywheel
April 28th - Ordered Rieger grille/hood spoiler combo
April 29 - Removed valves, washed cylinder head
May 1st - Covered European headlights, turn signal lenses and fog light lenses with clear protective sheeting
May 2nd - Blasted cylinder head
May 4th - Installed new valve guides, had cylinder head and flywheel resurfaced
May 13th - Took block apart and washed it. I took a look at the fuel pump and surrounding lines - the bracket looks pretty rusty up there, but the lines look ok.  The rear axle is looking pretty rusty, with chunks of rust falling off of it – I think the axle from the Jetta sitting in my yard might be the replacement.

May 14th - Removed pass side mirror, headliner, roof mounted antenna, rear spoiler, blasted and painted the two brackets that hold to the spoiler.  To keep overspray off the right rear wheel and tire, they were replaced with a space saver spare.  The hub was pretty rusty and took quite a bit of pulling and tugging on it to get it off.  I wonder how bad the others are going to be…

Now that we're up to date, Part 2 will cover the continued work on the engine, and some of the body work.  Stay tuned...

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