All back together. With the rebuilt starter, new flywheel and a few little things I caught while reassembling things Beryl feels pretty good!
Things addressed:
The intake manifold wasn’t quite sealed first time around (I think I just didn’t retorque the nuts after a little while) there was a little evidence of coolant on the head surface when I removed the manifold. This time I nipped them a little tighter plus I sprayed both sides of the gaskets with the copper aerosol gasket dressing. Seems to have made a difference.
The exhaust manifold:
I’ve never had the copper rings remain sealed when done before. Some of it was the flange that faces the head has a slight bow to it. Probably partly due to the cracks I welded up in the past. So I tried two things to help this time around. (1) I used a cutting blade on the angle grinder to slice between cyls 2 and 3. (2) I’ve used some high temp red silicon to augment the copper rings to seal the exhaust. It seems to have worked well.
Gearbox attachment:
One thing I’ve done the last two times I’ve split the engine and gearbox that really helps is align things properly. I think Rover missed a trick and should’ve put alignment dowels on the adapter plate. If you just bolt up the gearbox bell housing to adapter plate it will sag slightly. That means there’s a load on the input shaft against the spigot bearing. I now put about four bolts on loosely, jack the gearbox up to take its weight and try and eyeball the holes in the bell housing and the adapter plate. Snug up the bolts and continue with assembly. Since I’ve done that I don’t get dragging when selecting reverse and shifting is a lot easier.
Next on the never ending list to do:
@cobraboy sold me a new old stock LHD late steering box. My one isn’t bad, but it’s not great either. I was tempted to do it while the engine was out (remember LHD means the rear carb is close). But decided not to, I think when I get some time I will for the new box as it’s one of the last old items in the car.
One funny thing. On the first turn over the rebuilt starter was so quiet and it span the engine so much quicker I was concerned I’d lost compression! A sure sign this work was well overdue.
