Today at Atelier Kaz - ex-Honda R&D, F1, Indy/CART engineer

Still very wet paint so not representing the true colour/reflection but looking good.








Some of the OEM coating were already gone and exposing the grey magnesium surface so on this occasion, I used hammered effect paint as base coat.
Normally, I just apply dash of smooth black in order to preserve the OEM shrink/hammered effect.
This time, I applied quick 2 coats of the same spray paint and happy with the result.

Hope it will dry in several hours time.












Glad made decision to replace the a/c idle pulley bearing.
The hidden side showed burnt grease leaking and it was making fairly loud rattling noise, like loose change.

New bearing installed and what a difference. So quiet.













Rear mid cover installed for dust protection and carefully torqued the new bolts to prevent the cam pulley from scratching against the cover.
Will torque the bolts on the Front mid cover once I finished the valve clearance adjustment.

Just briefly placed the valve covers as they are dry enough.
Looking good.












I came to a conclusion that although the service receipt showed that the Rear O2 sensor was replaced in the past, it was actually the Front one that was replaced.
As in the photo album, Front one is definitely not OEM.

The rear one was Denso OEM one and the flange was completely seized that I had no option but to remove the heat shield before I can apply propane torch.
Heated to nice hot red and the really stubborn sensor loosened like nothing.

For the Front one, although I have another spare sensor, I will leave it as it is.
It's easy to replace especially when still using the OEM exh manifold.





While waiting for the oil cooler arrival, I think I will move onto replacing coolant hoses and brake OH.
Will carry out the valve clearance adjustment when I’m 100% sure that I can keep the garage temperature steady.



Kaz