People often ask others what makes them happiest in life. For some, it’s a fine glass of wine while others love to play with their kids or pets; I enjoy working on cars, especially big ones with large engines. I just love the mad sound they all make, like the roughness of an old V8 or V6 engine.
I was working on my 1992 Ford Sierra V6 not too long ago, rebuilding the engine in my room. For three months, I cut out lots of things, including drinking, to save up money to fix the engine. With all the parts purchased, I set to work and in no time the engine was ready to be fitted. Filled with excitement, I took leave from work to have enough time to drop in the engine and two more days to get it all in place and then it was time to fire up the beast.
With the right amount of fuel and spark, the V6 burst into life beautifully. After a short time of idling, the engine developed a slight noise from the bottom end. I had no clue what it could be so I packed up and went to bed. The next day after work, I started up the engine and heard a bearing ramble that lead to a bearing knock. I was so upset I left the car to stand for two more months before I even thought of fixing it again. I missed the sound and the feel of it so much that I had to get it running again.
It’s not like a new car, where you get in and drive off to your destination and get back out again; there is so much more to older cars. They make the trip feel special and you can actually feel all the mechanical stuff working together. I don’t care what age you are – if you get in a older car with a straight-six, V6 or V8 with some racing pedigree behind its name combined with a big exhaust you will drop the pedal just to get a feel for it. The sound doesn’t make it easy for you to drive in a sedate manner.
But, the main reason why the engine developed a bearing knock was oil starvation because of the new oil pump, so it all had to come out again. The crank had to be cut, but with some luck it will run soon.
Have a look at the videos and see why older rear-wheel-drive cars are better to drive. Yes, today’s four-cylinder front-wheel-drive cars are really quick and may be faster off the line than rear-wheel-drive cars. But doughnuts and long tail slides are impossible and no, hand brake turns don’t count as drifts.
