Greetings from Cape Town

[abri]

Time for a small update.

Since last time the car has been on the road for about 230 miles and ticking! I am very happy to report that it is finally smoke free and performs very well. The running in process is under way. The head will be retorqued, valve clearances reset and an oil change done at about 500 miles.

I mentioned before that with this one I'm deviating slightly from the factory spec approach that I normally have by adding some performance upgrades. Firstly the Minispares 1.5 ratio forged rockers. They look a lot like the original S rockers, but apparently give around 20% more lift, meaning the valve is at any point in its duration further open by about 20%. In theory this helps more mixture to flow into the cylinder, aided by the 3 angle valve seats that I had cut. Pic of the rockers below.



I also fitted a standard bore Maniflow LCB. This LCB is still sold under the part number that the old Special Tuning manuals mention and is apparently basically the same as the original Special Tuning/Downton one fitted in the '60s. See more about it here http://www.maniflow.co.uk/index.php?view...oduct=1122



After having removed and installed the motor quite a few times since I got in it August 2014, I seem to be getting the handle on it, doing it by myself with a borrowed engine hoist in a small garage. Here is the end result in place. Sorry for the poor picture quality. My garage is also quite dark.



On its wheels and rolled out of the garage for the first time with its fully rebuilt motor



Then the fun starts....running in! The first pic was taken on its first run after I started it. I took it up a nearby hilly road to put some load on it to aid the rings in bedding in. The carbs were still set for the previous rocker and head setup so it quickly got quite warm because it was running lean. This was adjusted next to the road and it was fine after that. In keeping with the modest power upgrades, I added a bullet racing mirror and redid the Cooper stripes on the bonnet.



The car has been running well and I've enjoyed getting the feel of the redone motor. I haven't run it hard but I also haven't been babying it. It responds very well when you put your foot down and the sound it makes is addictive! The idling is slightly lumpy with the high lift rockers, which I quite like. Credit to Dennis Nathan for building the motor and letting me watch over his shoulder and help.