Finishing the Engine

With the drivetrain finished, we could move onto to getting the engine physically finished. This involved putting back on all the parts that were removed while prepping the engine for installation.  Given the tight fit in the engine bay, its important to finish off areas that will be hard to get to later on. This meant installing the supply wiring for the battery, and all of the wiring to the starter motor. I have decided to add a master cut off switch for the electrical system, so have routed two cables from the battery and starter motor up to the scuttle where the master cut off switch will be mounted. We have also prepped the connections for the alternator, and cable tied the rest of the loom into its final location.

With the electrical work done we could start refitting the inlet manifold, crank case vent, throttle body and the vacuum hoses and sensors. The inlet manifold (right) is a "very" tight fit between the chassis, starter motor and idler pulley. It also has two dowel pins that need to be lined up in the head to locate the gaskets, and behind it are the water transfer hose that needs to be locked in place, and the crank case vent hose needs to be reconnected and clamped. Luckily I had Steve along to help, and with his double jointed wrists and fingers we were able to reconnect all of this with the minimum of blue language and only a little blood .... Steve's! (obligatory stunt foot in photo near wishbone).

From here we were able to refit the throttle body, and all of the other vacuum, hoses. The engine is now ready for the cooling hoses to be hooked up once the radiator is fitted. That just leave the wiring to be finished, the fuel system to be installed and the exhaust to be fitted before we think about firing it up for the first time.