Status report

So where we are now is kind of exciting. In the next two weeks i will buy an engine crane and take the engine out so i can get to the whole front assembly and start working on that. Brake cylinders and a brake pump are on their way from Italy. I cant actually get to anything easily without taking the engine out. Unfortunately years of Tectyl, paint and grime have solidified the bolts.

The braking system has been cleaned and had the rust removed. I am going to paint them at some stage this week although i am going to have to convince Neen to allow me to bake the parts in the oven to allow the paint to cure properly. That should be interesting.

I have disconnected the engine and gearbox save for the two engine mount bolts and the radiator has been removed. Two issues that have come up, while trying to remove the exhaust manifold I stripped one bolt and the other sheared off. I will have to cut the stripped one which might be difficult given how small the working space is.

For now I will take apart the rear axle and clean it up. It has seemingly sprung a leak over the last 60 years so there is a ton of oil over the bottom.

Oh, the other issue with the engine! Of the 4 bolts holding the engine down, 2 are tight, 1 is missing a nut and the other isn't even through the hole in the chassis. Deathtrap is what that is.