Best laid plans, etc etc
Had hoped/planned to get the engine in over the weekend.... but limited hours available meant we just got a few steps closer. Fingers crossed for next weekend
Rather than struggling for access once the engine's in, we figured best get the wiper motor & brake booster fitted first. Then spent more time than we should have, getting the manifolds bolted on
Bit of a schoolboy error.. screwing the manifold studs in using just 1x nut, we (ok, I) managed to get 3 of the nuts stuck on their studs

. After borrowing a butane torch & buggering a few threads, eventually got them off, then fitted them properly with 2 nuts, and managed to get both nuts off this time
Didnt forget the PTFE tape, thankfully.
Really pleased with the manifolds, so a BIG thanks to DaveB for coming to the rescue
Following on from the post somewhere above, the suspected crack in the repaired manifold did show a bit of a leak when Stu poured some thinners in
Whilst Ivor/Jon/Frank were prepared to have another go at welding

Dave had also offered us a spare pair for a small(ish) fee. A fee that he's prepared to wait for payment till the swap meet, I might add!

Thanks Dave, youre a gent!
And as a bonus, they are a better, earlier casting than the other pair we had (68/69 vs 70/71).
Although the pair from Dave arrived looking a tad rustier than our old pair, they scrubbed up well, and look a treat now they've been painted with high-temp cast iron grey
I'll add some 'before' pics when I get them from Stu, but here they are painted & fitted, along with some other pics of where we are at the mo...
Brake booster ready for install. Fourth attempt at getting the right paint finish (satin), after 3 times being too glossy and speckly, using paint from a local automotive paint supplier. Fourth go was using Halfords own brand
Booster & wiper motor fitted
Manifolds painted
Fitted
