What do we think?

Disappointed to hear a dripping noise from the rebuilt engine once I got 7 litres of antifreeze and water in...



Looks like it's either the pump gasket or the waterway one between the timing cover and the block.

Naturally, the engine now is full of brand new oil. It hasn't been turned over since filling it - do we think I can take off the timing cover without draining it, and I'll need to disconnect the cooler - am I right in thinking that it'll be empty with nearly all the oil just sitting in the sump?

yes oil will only be halfway up

One less job to do..... thanks James.

Dunno if I mentioned it but this timing cover has been one of the least enjoyable parts of the whole job. On putting it on, I found that several of the crankcase threads had been stripped, so I helicoiled the whole lot, and reckon that, in my frustration and anger at the squaddy that did it, I may actually have forgotten the gasket on the block waterway altogether - certainly can't see the edge of one or any hermetite on the joint...

(All in all, I've used twenty four 5/16" helicoils on this engine, and a few 1/4s as well).

thermostat housing 1/4 bolts are prone for shearing

jamesmartin said:

thermostat housing 1/4 bolts are prone for shearing

Click to expand...

Yes, I put new ones in, plenty of corrosion. Didn't have to helicoil those...