[Darrin Wright]

This weekend I commenced fitting pistons to conrods and placing them into the engine.
Washed and inspected all parts, checked rings in piston grooves and also checked ring gap. As it was 8 deg C I used a little blow heater to keep warm and heat the cast iron rings, also went into town and bought a ring spreader as I did not want to break any rings. Once I had this, I assembled up the front 2 pistons and got them into the engine. Then on to check the bearing gap. Either the wind or the dogs tail has brushed the plasti-gauge strip off my work area, but unable to find it (therefore unable to check bearging) so I moved on to the clutch bearing.

I ordered a grease hose for the clutch throw out bearing from AJay's Ford parts in New Zealand and that had arrived early in the week. Great value as I do not think I would have been able to get this made in Australia for the price I paid. NOS and in good condition. Cleaned out the grease cup and fitted it and the hose to the gearbox housing.

I also collected a new floor plate for the drivers controls/linkages, from the lazer cutters. Placed it in/on the drivers floor to check the bend angle and shape. All good there, so in time will fabricate and fit all brackets and drill holes to bolt it into the hull.