well i am plodding along slowly, i have been off work with vertigo through an inner ear issue which has finally sortid itself out with the help from the Doc, it seems i was suffering BPPV (look it up if you like)
got the axel totally clear from the tub and also got the lump out properly, i borrowed a hoist from a pal, and after servicing it ( as it was spewing hydraulic fluid out) it did the job spot on ! one thing that did concern me about the diff, when tipping the oil out a large quantity of water emptied out first followed by the clumped 1940's oil I hope that there is not a nasty suprise waiting inside for me ! it was a nightmare clearing it from the hull as you can see i was caught off guard and a shed load of diff oil tipped out onto my garage floor....foolish i was thinking it would be a sealed unit....not so if the speedo drive is removed DOE !!!!!!!
I dont think i will rebuild the engine myself as space is not exactly permitting it.
I noticed that the remnants of the fuel straps indicate that they were the earlier type with the turn buckles wonder when they stopped fitting them to carriers ?