Ok, to anyone that is interested and has read my last couple of inexperianced tuning efforts.

Got to track this mornin and club guru concluded after trying his hand at tuning that the front bearing was no good. We changed it out and it was better but not perfect. The pinch is lacking and the right tune was hard to find.

I can only suspect it was the way I run it in. I used the heat cycle meathod (5x3min at 180F using a hair dryer each time to pre heat block ) But I had probs with firing it up a couple of times with glow plug issues and motor probably done a few too many revs on the bump box not firing. When I removed the plug at this stage the fuel had aluminium dust in it. I was suspect at the time as to how much damage I was doing on the bump box not firing. I followed this with the usual rich tanks at low revs on the ground for two tanks, then bit faster for two tanks and so on until it started to loosen up. But I did these tanks for around the 3 to 4 mins as well.

In saying this I think the evidence is obvious. To start that prewarmed but cold motor so many times with the glow plug issues I had caused the most damage early on. All too rushed....................

I'll be budgeting in a new piston and sleeve and rod. I'll be running it in with 4 full tanks on the bench 2 slighlty leaner than the first. Then takin my time on the ground and usin about 2 litres at low revs then medium revs.

I have also been advised to add a shim from new and lower the compression to suit Australian conditions. And I reakon I might use my used rod to run in the new piston and sleeve and then change to the new rod. I just hope the run in doesn't stuff the new ceremic front bearing.

Leasons hard learnt.

In saying that