H - Major progress in last four weeks

Carbs were fixed with O-rings.  Drove the car around the subdivision, put 0.5 miles on it, ran great.  Temp gauge does not work, had to send it out to Nisinger's to be rebuilt, won't be back until early to mid May.  Also ignition coil failed, causing the engine not to start.  Installed an old Jaguar coil and it worked for a while until it apparently failed.  Went ahead and ordered correct coil.  Installed it and runs great.  Also connected some ground wires between distributor, generator, and body to ensure good grounds.

Meantime I have installed front fenders and hood plus front turn signals and headlights.  This part went pretty well, usual poor fit and wrestling of sheet metal but not too bad for a 50's vintage British car.  Today I also touched up some of the scratches I have put in the paint as I assemble parts.  Here's the latest pictures:

Rear view, you can see the hole in the dash where the temp/pressure gauge will go:

Thought I'd throw in one showing that the lights do indeed work.  This 1952 TD did not come from the factory with turn signals, but later TD's did have turn signals.  The prior owner had bought a wiring harness for turn signals so I've been able to get the correct front running lights and purchase the complex relay assembly to make the signals work.  Also required putting another hole in the dash for the light telling you your turn signals are on.

I like the wind wing accessories.  

Looking good!

As always, there's a few more items left to resolve beyond the gauge that's being rebuilt.  The rest of the hood latches need to be installed to "snap" the two sides of the hood down.  The charging system does not work, the generator has been checked out so I've got a new regulator to install.  If that does not fix it then I'll need to bring the generator and regulators (old and new) to a local shop for Willie to see what the issue is.  Then we'll be ready to give it a thorough washing and detailing plus start driving it to find all the other things I can fix!

G = Big Day - The Engine Runs!

After the carb and fuel pump rebuild I tried to start the engine without success.  Did notice some backfire through the carbs if throttle held open.  Checked timing again and it was alright.  Symptoms made me think that maybe the timing was off 180 degrees of distributor turn.  Checked and indeed the #1 cylinder was firing when #1 cylinder at TDC, but the valves were rocking at the point - it was firing on exhaust stroke instead of compression!  Thought I'd have to remove the distributor to resolve, but then realized I could just move the wires around the 180 degrees.  After moving the wires it fired right up!

Ran it long enough to burn a lot of the oil and stuff off the exhaust manifold.  Tried clutch and tranny, was able to move the car forward and backward so these systems look good.  Oil pressure remained great.  Tach worked.  However, temp gauge never increased despite radiator being pretty warm.  Will have to have temp/oil pressure combo gauge rebuilt. 

Front carb has a consistent drip from jet seals.  I have taken it apart three times and can't get it to stop.  The cork seals they give you with a rebuild kit must not be getting the job done.  Internet research shows teflon O-rings work better, will order some today.  I need to get this resolved before I drive the carb, leak goes right onto exhaust manifold, not good.