Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: Webby the Bear on 15 May 2012, 20:27:33
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Evening fellas, hope you're all well.
Even though I'll update the ''Ralf Shocker'' thread I'm having real issues e-mailng photos of the work like the water pump, backing plate etc. Thinking about it I should have taken them on my digital camera but hindsight is always 20/20 ::) Besides it's now just at the reassembly stage so I'll probably just let you all know how the old boy gets on when he's started up.... unless of course any crazy shizzle rears it's head during reassembly, which, let's be honest, anything can happen at anytime ;D ::).
Anyway, like all good strategists I'm already considering my next job which will be started as soon as I take the key out and switch the car off after reassembling...... HEAD GASKET!
I have to say I believe it was the right decision to do the cambelt first. A lot of what the guide (nice one James) refers to I understand from doing that job!
I like to post these ''starting'' threads cos it gives us all the opportunity to pitch ideas in and get a good discussion going. It also helps to ''round'' ideas so that if I say something stupid then I'll be quickly put right :y
Now in very basic terms at this stage, it appears that it's a case of removing plenum, inlets/injector rails, cam covers, everything in front of the engine (bagpipes, cambelt cover etc), exposing the ''V'', removing cam shafts and pullies and then whipping the heads off.
Now of course I'll be faced with some thing I'll need help on.... certainly on't expect it to run smoothly ::) but the only real question I have at this stage is as follows: the head bolts.... how difficult are they to remove? I'm sure I've heard they're a nightmare to undo (T55, right?). I know it says to remove from inside out so presumably re-fitment is outside in? Although I swear I've seen a video where they were put back from inside out in a spiral fashion...and why on Earth is it so important anyway? Are the bolts re-useable? That would help with costs!
Work will commence hopefully at the weekend after firing the car up... then off again ;D Mad it sounds but remembering all the time that the car was solely for learning purposes.... practise makes perfect ;)
ANYWAY, I do have a mini job to do before starting and that's clearing the, errrm, workshop.....
(http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee402/webbybear1/TheWorkshop.jpg)
Now even though it may look a mess it's actually all in order.... but the problem is the amount of stuff in there! However on the right hand side you can just about see a work bench behind the black filing cabinet. The plan is to get enough space to walk through the centre and have that bench (which is huge at about 8ft long). ''But Bear'' I hear you say ''why don't you clear it out and put the Omega in there''? Simple answer - even if it was fully clear the bugger wouldn't fit ;D ;D ;D
So really, this thread commences the HG work and if you guys got any cool pics of your workshop and any space saving tips then would love to hear about it :y
Stay furry.
Car Bear.
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You've seen my garage, so know mine is little better :-[
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You've seen my garage, so know mine is little better :-[
Yeah but it looked organised! :y
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I do all my work in my parents garage, which I've done up a bit:
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/803897/Omega/Garage/DSC00357.JPG)
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/803897/Omega/Garage/DSC00360.JPG)
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/803897/Omega/Garage/DSC00361.JPG)
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/803897/Omega/Garage/DSC00362.JPG)
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Now that's what I'm talking about! Nice big floor space to work in mate :y With the red Halfrauds box.... i'd love one but don't have enough tools :-[ ;D
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Shame somebody parked that tractor powered beemer in the way ;D
Webby - sadly tunnie's garage is compromised by a pillar between the 2 doors, that is really restrictive :'(. Also, note, tunnie lacks the tools to fill that shiny toolbox :P
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Shame somebody parked that tractor powered beemer in the way ;D
Webby - sadly tunnie's garage is compromised by a pillar between the 2 doors, that is really restrictive :'(. Also, note, tunnie lacks the tools to fill that shiny toolbox :P
1) I love my beemer bike :P
2) Yes, it is a constant problem. Be so much easier to put the car in the middle, having access all around. I'm not sure how much it would cost, to put an RSJ across :-\
3) Sod off, that box has lots of tools! :D
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Shame somebody parked that tractor powered beemer in the way ;D
Webby - sadly tunnie's garage is compromised by a pillar between the 2 doors, that is really restrictive :'(. Also, note, tunnie lacks the tools to fill that shiny toolbox :P
1) I love my beemer bike :P
2) Yes, it is a constant problem. Be so much easier to put the car in the middle, having access all around. I'm not sure how much it would cost, to put an RSJ across :-\
3) Sod off, that box has lots of tools! :D
Clearly, judging by some of te calls/texts, nothing usable on modern cars ;D
But seriously, fair play, like Webby, you had a go, and learnt :y
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Haha sorry lads. didn't mean to throw you a domestic ;D
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Shame somebody parked that tractor powered beemer in the way ;D
Webby - sadly tunnie's garage is compromised by a pillar between the 2 doors, that is really restrictive :'(. Also, note, tunnie lacks the tools to fill that shiny toolbox :P
1) I love my beemer bike :P
2) Yes, it is a constant problem. Be so much easier to put the car in the middle, having access all around. I'm not sure how much it would cost, to put an RSJ across :-\
3) Sod off, that box has lots of tools! :D
Clearly, judging by some of te calls/texts, nothing usable on modern cars ;D
But seriously, fair play, like Webby, you had a go, and learnt :y
A 4 figure mortgage payment means I rely on tools for birthdays and Crimbo now!
But I do now have both sets of ratchet spanners, so the Estate shock change will be easier :)
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But I do now have both sets of ratchet spanners, so the Estate shock change will be easier :)
Aye, but not a spanner that fits shock top ;)
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Workshop?
You lightweights, I do all my work in the street, and always have!
The cellar of the house is quite well equipped though, with a solid bench, quality vice, my toolboxes, small lathe and milling machine, TIG and MIG welders and a 10 tonne press out the back.
Having the tools makes things much easier!
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But I do now have both sets of ratchet spanners, so the Estate shock change will be easier :)
Aye, but not a spanner that fits shock top ;)
Fek :(
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Workshop?
You lightweights, I do all my work in the street, and always have!
The cellar of the house is quite well equipped though, with a solid bench, quality vice, my toolboxes, small lathe and milling machine, TIG and MIG welders and a 10 tonne press out the back.
Having the tools makes things much easier!
Now that's an excellent point. Ralf lives at my folks' house and that's where my tools are. However, my g/f's house (where I ''reside'' ;D) has an awesome cellar that's only used for an extra fridge. It too has a big workbench and would be easier to persuade her to let me change it than my folks (the sort that would shred a phonebook ::))
However I can't stand the thought of lugging stuff up n down :(
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(http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w245/andyc2411/workshop001.jpg)
This was about three years ago
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That is a nice, nice garage, Andy!
If tinypic would cooperate I'd upload my garage in the aftermath of the Jag stripping, but it won't. Grr.
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That is a nice, nice garage, Andy!
If tinypic would cooperate I'd upload my garage in the aftermath of the Jag stripping, but it won't. Grr.
+1
Very nice, great space too.
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Is that storage wars :-\
(http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee402/webbybear1/TheWorkshop.jpg)
Ive got a home made shed roughly 12x12 , first job was to build a decent sturdy workbench the type you can sling an engine on then a decent vice that was bought from car boot ..amazing how many times the vice has come in handy for all sorts of things esp splitting the track rods ::) An organised row of nails in some wood on the wall makes for excellent tool hanging then individual tool boxes for pliars screwdrivers , heating a tv and radio a must just dont tell the missus ;D quite cosy in the winter :-X ;D
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Pah! This is what some in the shittier parts of the Kingdom have to work with. :'( :'( ;D ;D ;D
Before:
(http://i698.photobucket.com/albums/vv345/Catdracula/SDC10096.jpg)
(http://i698.photobucket.com/albums/vv345/Catdracula/SDC10100-1.jpg)
After (an attack of the guilts) :-[
(http://i698.photobucket.com/albums/vv345/Catdracula/SDC10378.jpg)
(http://i698.photobucket.com/albums/vv345/Catdracula/SDC10376.jpg)
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Is that where you sit talking to us, Den? ;)
Gave up and used Dropbox:
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/9141488/photo%203-3.JPG)
Can't see the whole garage, but the carpet is .. somewhat wrecked after a serious dose of engine oil, ATF, pas fluid, brake fluid and screenwash :lol:
Before carpet, showing the workbench side:
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/9141488/photo.jpeg)
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Whats that engine out of on the stand :-\
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Den, What turntable is that in the last picture?
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Den, What turntable is that in the last picture?
Dual CS505 at a wild stab in the dark guess.
Vinyl sounds in the garage I like your style, Den. :y Beats my 1980's ghetto blaster. :(
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Den, What turntable is that in the last picture?
It's an AristonRD80 running their own arm with a Sure M44-7 cartridge and is the last vestige of my vinyl playing kit having foolishly sold my Thorens TD 160 (SME arm Decca FFSS cartridge) in a moment of madness. ???
I did keep the Quad kit, B&W DM2a speakers and a lovely little Uher 4200 Report Monitor (5” reel to reel) to play about with however. ;D
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Den, What turntable is that in the last picture?
Dual CS505 at a wild stab in the dark guess.
Vinyl sounds in the garage I like your style, Den. :y Beats my 1980's ghetto blaster. :(
You don't get the cigar this time around K ;D ;D (see above) and this is the only place I can play the sort of music that always makes my wife ask, 'Are you really going to listen to that?'. :-X
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Ahh, well. Like I said, it was a stab in the dark. ;)
Think mine might be due a tidy up too. :-\
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/26795734/Photos/OOF/IMGP7127.JPG)
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/26795734/Photos/OOF/IMGP7128.JPG)
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I'm well jealous would love a garage but instead I'm force to work in the road if and when the weather is nice :) :)
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Been trying to post pictures of garage, given up :(
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Whats that engine out of on the stand :-\
Originally, I don't actually know - it's a 1968 casting, probably a good bet it was out of a Galaxie or Thunderbird but possibly a Mustang or Mercury Cougar :) It's a Ford 428 FE (7 litre), currently with a 290 duration/.550 lift Herbert cam, forged pistons, Cobra Jet rods, Edelbrock 72cc heads, PQ billet roller rockers and TWM (now Borla) throttle bodies.
Needs a rebuild though as the previous owner has killed the crank so the plan would be a Scat or Eagle steel crank, hone and keep the pistons (unless I *have* to bore 20 over), 270 duration Crane cam (I'd like *some* performance under 2500rpm!) and probably switch to hydraulic roller tappets instead of flat hydraulic. I'll aim for a square 500hp/500lbft I think and keep it streetable.
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(http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd412/DaveA1/IMAG001413.jpg[img])http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd412/DaveA1/IMAG001214.jpg[/img]
Got a link (I think) Motor just fits.
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LOL You dudes like the workshop talk ;D
I have a Q about HG job.... do you definitely need to get under the car or can it be done with skipping this step?
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(http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd412/DaveA1/IMAG001413.jpg[img])http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd412/DaveA1/IMAG001214.jpg[/img]
Got a link (I think) Motor just fits.
Dave, you missed a / in the closing IMG bracket:
(http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd412/DaveA1/IMAG001214.jpg)
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Webby, the only time you need to get under the car is to pop the downpipes off :y
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Its a V8 then ;D 7 litre would be about right to throw in the omega :P
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Its a V8 then ;D 7 litre would be about right to throw in the omega :P
Well, it might stand half a chance of being a quick car, then ;) Although if it was the Omega, it'd be modern V8 rather than vintage :)
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Its a V8 then ;D 7 litre would be about right to throw in the omega :P
Well, it might stand half a chance of being a quick car, then ;) Although if it was the Omega, it'd be modern V8 rather than vintage :)
;D
Would be a fair bit of work slinging that 8 pot in but im sure it would be worth it ...anyway nice workshop :y Would be a joy to work undercover instead of out in the rain :(
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...but the only real question I have at this stage is as follows: the head bolts.... how difficult are they to remove? I'm sure I've heard they're a nightmare to undo (T55, right?).
Not that bad as long as you have a decent length bar (I used a weight lifting bar slid over the ratchet)
I know it says to remove from inside out so presumably re-fitment is outside in? Although I swear I've seen a video where they were put back from inside out in a spiral fashion...and why on Earth is it so important anyway?
It's important so that you don't warp the heads doing removal or re-assembly
Are the bolts re-useable?
No, unfortunately not.
HTH :y
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Cheers Twig, i think that sums it up. ill post up more later when i get in from work ;)
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Kevin Wood - I thought from the pictures that your garage looked unusually tidy ;D
S'pose I should get off my fat lazy backside and sell most of the Omega bits cluttering my garage. I think I need 250 posts to sell on here though
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some awesome workshops here girls..... feeling a bit embarrassed about my undersized shop :-[
never mind, a good de-clutter (without pops knowing) will soon free up some work space :y
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(http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd412/DaveA1/IMAG001413.jpg[img])http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd412/DaveA1/IMAG001214.jpg[/img]
Got a link (I think) Motor just fits.
Dave, you missed a / in the closing IMG bracket:
(http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd412/DaveA1/IMAG001214.jpg)
Thanks Tunnie I will get the hang of it one of these days ;D ;D :y :y
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Are these the head bolts??
(http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee402/webbybear1/headbolts.jpg)
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cam bolts head bolts are lower down in the head :y
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Cheers Martin... is it the red arrow where what looks like a bolt is lurking?
(http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee402/webbybear1/hb2.jpg)
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will be about 10 of them
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will be about 10 of them
so presumably quite visible when camshafts out? :y
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yes mate :y
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cheers mate :y
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The cam shells need to go back in precisely the order they come out.
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Are they the things that i initially circled (in green)? :y
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Are they the things that i initially circled (in green)? :y
You circled the bolts that hold them in place. They are, in effect, the clamps that hold the cams down
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Are they the things that i initially circled (in green)? :y
You circled the bolts that hold them in place. They are, in effect, the clamps that hold the cams down
cheers mate :y
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they are marked up on the sides, left as L, right as R. keep them in order & you wont go wrong.
8 head bolts. in each head. :y
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cheers RB. Looking forward to it :y :y :y :y
so the bolts. if this was my own car i'd obviously replace as per twiglet's post. but as ralf is a practise car can i get away with using the old ones?
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cheers RB. Looking forward to it :y :y :y :y
so the bolts. if this was my own car i'd obviously replace as per twiglet's post. but as ralf is a practise car can i get away with using the old ones?
are you fitting new head gaskets?
if you are, then new is a must, if not then its a risk they will snap on tightening. but then the gaskets will be fubbered anyway. ???
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cheers RB. Looking forward to it :y :y :y :y
so the bolts. if this was my own car i'd obviously replace as per twiglet's post. but as ralf is a practise car can i get away with using the old ones?
are you fitting new head gaskets?
if you are, then new is a must, if not then its a risk they will snap on tightening. but then the gaskets will be fubbered anyway. ???
no mate, want to just remove and replace to practise the job :y
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cheers RB. Looking forward to it :y :y :y :y
so the bolts. if this was my own car i'd obviously replace as per twiglet's post. but as ralf is a practise car can i get away with using the old ones?
are you fitting new head gaskets?
if you are, then new is a must, if not then its a risk they will snap on tightening. but then the gaskets will be fubbered anyway. ???
no mate, want to just remove and replace to practise the job :y
ahh ok, you know it wont run again dont you.
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cheers RB. Looking forward to it :y :y :y :y
so the bolts. if this was my own car i'd obviously replace as per twiglet's post. but as ralf is a practise car can i get away with using the old ones?
are you fitting new head gaskets?
if you are, then new is a must, if not then its a risk they will snap on tightening. but then the gaskets will be fubbered anyway. ???
no mate, want to just remove and replace to practise the job :y
ahh ok, you know it wont run again dont you.
really?? ???
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So two of these are what I need...
http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Vauxhall_Omega_2.5_1997/p/car-parts/engine-parts/engine-parts1/car-gasket-seals/?366720131&1&ec68695dbc10fe4a3078b478dd6722714a4d0d35&000173
Anything else you reckon?
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cheers RB. Looking forward to it :y :y :y :y
so the bolts. if this was my own car i'd obviously replace as per twiglet's post. but as ralf is a practise car can i get away with using the old ones?
are you fitting new head gaskets?
if you are, then new is a must, if not then its a risk they will snap on tightening. but then the gaskets will be fubbered anyway. ???
no mate, want to just remove and replace to practise the job :y
ahh ok, you know it wont run again dont you.
really?? ???
Yeah, compression will be shot, and it will piss oil and water everywhere.
If you want engine to run for now, do HG last.
Quite expensive to actuall replace HG fully - HGs, bolts, exhaust gaskets, coolant bridge washers, transfer pipe o-rings etc
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cheers RB. Looking forward to it :y :y :y :y
so the bolts. if this was my own car i'd obviously replace as per twiglet's post. but as ralf is a practise car can i get away with using the old ones?
are you fitting new head gaskets?
if you are, then new is a must, if not then its a risk they will snap on tightening. but then the gaskets will be fubbered anyway. ???
no mate, want to just remove and replace to practise the job :y
ahh ok, you know it wont run again dont you.
really?? ???
Yeah, compression will be shot, and it will piss oil and water everywhere.
If you want engine to run for now, do HG last.
Quite expensive to actuall replace HG fully - HGs, bolts, exhaust gaskets, coolant bridge washers, transfer pipe o-rings etc
Cheers Jaime. had a read in to it after RB mentioned it. as you guys say the torquing crushes the gasket rendering it useless if its to ever come apart... didnt know that. lucjy you chaps memtioned it - cheers! :y
in that case once this is done i may move on to suspension.
when i do the HG job though (last) i will replace the items as i dont want him to die :'( :y :y
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Today, Mine's a brewery. :D
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/26795734/Photos/OOF/IMGP7130.JPG)
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One day I will get the walls and ceiling to more aesthetically pleasing condition. In the meantime, it functions, but unfortunately from time to time accumulates lots of crap. Same old story, the more space, the more crap. But I have recently been battling against this.. :y
(http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o512/neilabrown/190520121052.jpg)
(http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o512/neilabrown/190520121053.jpg)
The plan eventually is to dig a channel in the centre of the back part of the garage, whereby I end up with my own pit, albeit a little shallow. At least I'll be able to the oil changes and smaller works underneath the car in this way with relative ease.