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Word on the street is that it passed the MOT despite only one stud and no gasket in the manifold/downpipe joint, and battery secured by crap in the boot rather than a bracket.

Jason looks well chuffed with that.

Hows it drive?

No idea.

He drove off to a pre booked MOT in Middleton - 25 or so miles from the workshop, I texted him about 5PM asking if he made it safely and he replied with

Passed

Not heard any more!

I think we all deserve a pat on the back for sorting it, but there's still some welding/bodywork needed if the car is going to survive to an MOT next year as well

Sorry for the cryptic text Jim, got back late from the MOT and had to rush round getting ready for the bonfire at Heaton Park. I can't see those pictures, links are broken for me. I'll get some pictures of the engine bay today.

I was hugely surprised it passed the MOT first time. Only got one advisory for a worn tyre! Some of the wiring under the fusebox may be slightly loose so I'm gonna have a nosey at that this afternoon. Flew through the emissions test. Drove the 25 miles from Altrincham to Middleton well. Still stalling now and again when idling, and the oil pressure light will occasionally flit on so I need to turn the idle speed up a bit I think. There's also a tapping noise at speed but that could be the dizzy pressed against the bulkhead or the fact I only had one stud holding the downpipe on. Getting both of these sorted next week so we'll see how we go. Temp gauge still fluctuates a little between half and 5/8's - but nothing like as bad as the old engine. Definitely feels faster too.

As Jim says, there's quite a bit of crustiness to be sorted out now - but the engines done, all the suspension, bushes, brakes, gearbox are new and got a decent set of wheels and interior going in so I feel like I'm on the home stretch. Some patching is definitely on the cards - new sills, jacking points and rear arches. Some bits around the windows too. Maybe even a respray.. ? Gonna take a few months of saving though!

Massive thanks to all that helped or provided advice. You're all leg-ends. It's hugely appreciated and I feel like I've learnt loads. Special thanks to Jim who allowed me the use of his workshop and was willing to shoehorn even more tasks into his ridiculously busy weekends. Same to Murran who drove over from Sheffield several times, giving up his Sundays!

No more metrolink!!!