Restoration of Hull 731- Carrier, MG (Aust) Mortar Carrying

[Darrin Wright]

The engine is all together, I have timed the distributor as best as possible using the tool.
With all the reference material that I have, I have found that they all describe timing of the distributor slightly differently using different tools and methods, this has and has not helped.
Timed stage 1 (right points) fairly good, did not have much success with stage 2 (left pints), so got it to where it is. Not sure how/if this will work. This may also indicate that I have something wrong inside the distributor.

After reading Lynn's post/info on oil flow in these engines, I blocked off the external holes at the LHR of the engine and checked that there was no internal plug. I also bought a hydraulic packing plug, with an in-hex drive slot, that has the same thread as the internal thread in the oil gallery- this will be cut/machined down later to divert the oil into the oil cooler (when fitted).

Filled the engine with a cheap 20-50W oil, and with crappy weather outside decided to use the Jeep as a slave, and attempt to start the engine.
After a little while had oil at the sender unit (and down the side of the engine), blanked this off and then primed the fuel pump and carby.
I think the battery is getting down in the Jeep, as the V8 would wind over for a little bit then I would have to stop and let the Jeep recharge.
Will have to get a pair of 12V batteries to assist.

Engine did not fire, so checked the distributor rotation & timing, checked that a spark was going to the correct lead and plug, also re-adjusted the points. Still did not fire.

Will have to think this over a bit more...moved on to other tasks in next post.

[Darrin Wright]

Moved on to adjusting the RH backing plate with my die grinder, enlarged the hole slightly so that the backing plate would fit over the actuator shaft in the mounting plate.
Fitted the backing plate and also fitted the LH brake drum as I managed to paint it earlier in the week when the weather was good.
Finished fitting the exhaust elbows into the hull floor, then moved on to the exhaust pipes (had these cut & bent by exhaust shop) and creating the Y section outlet.