Dáireann

Hi all it's been a few years since I've been on here so here's my story. I have a really nice FC GTR 1991. I bought a 1993 Fd with no compression in the rear housing. I did all the research and did the rebuild myself it took my a year or more but when it was finished I was really happy. It started up and was ticking over nicely. One massive issue was the ignighter to coil pack connector was broken and i rewired it myself. This made me very nervous and before running it in I wanted to take it to an electronic expert or rotary expert to wire it safely. In the mean time I lost interest in the project and put my FC on the road and moved away to college. A few years passed and ever so often i would start the car to keep it lubricated. However one day I turned the car over by hand before starting it. What did I do only leave the fecking racket on the main Eshaft bolt. just as it stared I realized and shut it off. The bolt had been loosened but not completely. That doesn't matter the harm was done. The thrust bearing will have slipped down. Heart broken and pissed off I left the car lying up. My best car buddy and cousin, who helped me fit the gear box, was killed off a bike in Oz and even my FC has sat up since then. His loss killed my love for the whole car scene and I could never imagine getting my revs up knowing he's gone. It'll soon be 2 years and I want to sort out and get my cars running again. Now that I'm finished with my "dear Deirdre" bullshit here's my Q's
Where do i go from here ??
Will the rubber internals be so perished that i will need to do the build again ?? how do i check ?
if not will i be able to strip the timing cover and set the bearing without removing the engine ?? Will I have to remove the Sump ? what is the procedure ?? How to I check the end play if the engine is in the car ?
Any input would be very much appreciated.
I will never sell either of my cars ever.
Thanks for reading.

Sgtblue

iTrader: (16)

*Sitting for two years probably didn't do the soft seals any good, but I wouldn't sweat it either. And certainly wouldn't open up the engine unless there was an issue.
*Never had to mess with the front cover with the engine in the car. Closest was just changing out the OMP. Based on that, I think it might be easier in the long run to just pull the engine. A side benefit is that you'll also be draining that old coolant that's probably gone a little acidic.