The leak is still there! Furthermore, unlike previously I couldn’t even run the engine – which is possibly down to an old and very silted up carburettor.
It seems that I am unable to seal one of the pushrod guides into the block, adequately. Looking around the internet there are lots of stories of crushed guide tubes, but none that I can find with my particular problem. The Burton website shows a video of fitting a head to the block and it seems to have more mobility than I can achieve when I try to waggle it about to fit.
So what are my options. They seem to come down to a straight binary choice – either a new head (rather than 2nd hand) or a new (recon and bored out 652cc) engine. Slight difference in cost (!) but either a still uncertain future for my grandsons motoring, or a speedier and more reliable option. I haven’t decided yet – but there are still a few euros left over from the French house sale and they might be diverted to Burton.
Its late and I am going to sleep on it…….
Work done 2017 to date:
Jan 2017 x Jack up rear of car - remove wheel - drill through the remaining holes for rear wings Jan 2017 x Fit gasket between mudguard and body Jan 2017 x Fit windscreen and accessories Jan 2017 x Tether the fuel cap - not necessary Jan 2017 x Fit new steering wheel Jan 2017 x Decided not to tie down the brake line between master cyl and caliper to gearbox and maybe to bulkhead as well Jan 2017 x Fit push pull heater cable Jan 2017 x Keep existing terminal end for accelerator cable Jan 2017 x Order Brake fluid sticker needed near cylinder and fit Jan 2017 x Insulate cable from oil pressure up to connector 6 Jan 2017 x Check rear exhaust fastening * photo looks odd Jan 2017 x check diameter of steering column 50 mms Jan 2017 x measure wheel arches for length of body trim- Burton aleady supplied but http://www.martrim.co.uk/catalogue/wing-piping.html for supply Jan 2017 x Fix wiring in cabin support wiring in cabin with sikaflex Jan 2017 x Measure and fit rear wings Jan 2017 x mount heater control Jan 2017 x choke cable drill body to take choke Jan 2017 x shorten accelerator cable Feb 2017 x Find missing bit of choke cable Feb 2017 x Fit new spark plug leads Feb 2017 x Buy rubber cover for +ve battery terminal Feb 2017. x Refit heater control to immediately right of steering column Feb 2017 x Drill for top dial as high as possible Feb 2017 x Check visibility from wheel for dials and switches - speedo and rev counter horizontal Feb 2017 x Locate and drill dials Feb 2017 x Make electrical connections in boot Feb 2017 x Fit choke cable to dash inside exempt zone and next ignition switch Feb 2017 x Fit front section of body - after engraving Feb 2017 x Glue grill to front of body p3 8.4 Feb 2017 x Fit front to car Feb 2017 x Turn car round Feb 2017 x Check visibility from wheel for dials and switches - speedo and rev counter horizontal Feb 2017 x Fit choke cable to dash inside exempt zone and next ignition switch Feb 2017 x Decide final positions of switches and drill for switches - ignition/starter/lights/indicators Feb 2017 x Fit choke cable to dash inside exempt zone and next ignition switch Feb 2017 x Fit new front tyres Feb 2017 x locate and fit flasher and indicator relays Feb 2017 x Lay tape along front where bonnet touches Feb 2017 x connect n/s brake and side lights - check on which brightness Feb 2017 x Fit o/s/r wheel Feb 2017 x Remove front and store in other garage Feb 2017 x Screw down demister vents, cut out and fit blower Manual:- p9 7.10 Feb 2017 x Run conduit behind lock catch bar in boot Feb 2017 x fit reversing/rear fog light Feb 2017 x Fit blower to underside of vents Feb 2017 x Refix drilled sections for blower and recalculate and drill 80mm Feb 2017 x Fit boot stay Feb 2017 x Buy Handbrake pull switch (http://www.cobraclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=54282) Feb 2017 x Buy matching MMB indicator lights Feb 2017 x Buy switches - see notebook Feb 2017 x Look for blower kit in box or maybe packet - see photo Feb 2017 x Buy relays for horn/headlights Feb 2017 x Buy indicator/hazard (as per Pembleton) Feb 2017 x connect n/s brake and side lights - check on which brightness Feb 2017 x buy sikaflex Feb 2017 x where does middle of exhaust bolt on to Feb 2017 x Check brake assembly bolts - they need Nyloc nuts to secure Feb 2017 x Nyloc nut on bottom of column - onto rack Feb 2017 x Undo RHS wiper nut and try to move forward slightly (plate is slotted) Move wipers forward on RHS Feb 2017 x Location of switches and dials - maybe Burton are IVA Feb 2017 x Check requirements for wiring and operation of fog and reversing lights Feb 2017 x Anchor all wires and pipes every 300mm Feb 2017 x Reset wiper links below Feb 2017 x Look at manual for blower extra bits - Feb 2017 x Reconnect small wire under rubber connector cover to starter Feb 2017 x Review Burton switches - not IVA compliant Feb 2017 x Fit proper connections for Connector 6 Feb 2017 x Look at the exhaust pipe end and shorten the exhaust by re fitting at centre silencer Feb 2017 x Fit washer and wipers Feb 2017 x Fit quick release steering boss Feb 2017 x Find and fit wing and rear mirrors Feb 2017 x Fit petrol pipe and cap Feb 2017 x Check plate for removable boss and steering wheel and maybe connect Feb 2017 x Fix wiring in boot with conduit and fix with adhesive Feb 2017 x Found - Bracket to hold steering column - needs 35mm U bracket (look in garage find brackets for steering) Feb 2017 x Fit steering bracket - remove and refit when steering column fouling tunnel Mar 2017 x Check front lighting for an amber light Mar 2017 x Relays for - head main / head dipped / horn / Mar 2017 x Bolt on body at front Mar 2017 x Create holes in front body for heater vents Mar 2017 x Mudguards on Mar 2017 x check burton manual for height of chassis above ground with everything fitted Mar 2017 x Height and springs Mar 2017 x Replace front body Mar 2017 x Remove cable cover from boot to cockpit to fit new cable for reversing light Mar 2017 x Connect battery 12v +ve direct bypassing ignition to dashboard USB outlet and utilise for all +ve connections similar NOT CONNECTED YET!) Mar 2017 x Fit remaining switches Mar 2017 x Fix headlight / coil assembly Mar 2017 x buy petrol Mar 2017 x Fit new spark plug leads Mar 2017 x Fit extra fuse - check if direct to battery Mar 2017 x Fit new speedo cable at gearbox and instrument end - might not work!! Mar 2017 x Considered reversing gearlever support Mar 2017 x Blower connected and works Mar 2017 x Windscreen washer connected and works Mar 2017 x Horn works from indicator switch Mar 2017 x Proved reversing light and fog light connection May 2017 x Check height of head restraints - check IVA manual May 2017 x Check seatbelts for seat belt mounting bolts not marked us as 8.8 ton breaking strength May 2017 x Fit safety belts May 2017 x Fix boot lockMay 2017 x Fit foglight unit May 2017 x Drill and fit washer nozzles May 2017 x Drill for washer pipe from reservoir to nozzles May 2017 x Find problem with electrics May 2017 x Fit buzzer for indicators May 2017 x Large washers under engine mounts May 2017 x Tidy wires under dash May 2017 x No clicks on indicator Jun 2017 x Sika flex under mudguard Jun 2017 x Fix boot lock Jun 2017 x Centre for steering wheel Jul 2017 x [one side done!] Wire and plug/socket fix for under mudguard lights Jul 2017 x Fit Mudguard bars Jul 2017 x Adjust handbrake - tighten Jul 2017 x Bolt mudguards to front body Jul 2017 x Check hand brake - should start binding at 3rd notch and full on for 5th Jul 2017 x Proper screw for speedo cable gearbox end Jul 2017 x hose clamps for all hoses - 2 for reniflard to airfilter Jul 2017 x Check alternator output Jul 2017 x Physically fit immobiliser Decide and locate (under somewhere) Jul 2017 x Check and adjust suspension height Jul 2017 x Engrave VIN number Jul 2017 x Assemble shelving Jul 2017 x TEST accelerator, clutch and brake and steering Sep 2017 x Check for oil leaks ? rocker covers Sep 2017 x Fix whatever necessary from road test