Geoff;Went home at lunch and took a look.  If you mean a hole 4″ directly in back of the oil filter, 45 degree slant, there is most certainly supposed to be a bolt there!Hex head, probably a 7/16 or 1/2.(?)  The threads are probably deeper inside than you can feel with your finger.Time for a trip to the auto store to get trial size bolts.  Si…[Read more]

James,Let’s see, the oil pump puked and now the engine turns?  Sounds like swine flu to me.Ringo
Ringo39947.4629976852

Hi Phil, Welcome to the group!If it’s a new problem it could be the winter blend gas boiling up now that warmer weather is here.  If so, some additive could help until you put summer blend gas in.  If not the blend, you may need to insulate some of the fuel lines.Ringo

Geoff;I can’t decide which is brighter, the chrome or the smile on your face!Don’t skip anything when doing the maintenance. (my soapbox again )  Check bolts, nuts, cables, hoses,,,,heck, check everything!  Make sure that first long cruise is a happy one.You may now notice a condition of sore cheeks from grinning so much!Happy motoring,Ringo

James,
You’re narrowing it down.  Hope you find it’s no big problem.
According to Haynes torque specs;
connecting rods;  1st stage 28 lbs/ft  2nd stage 36 lbs/ft.
Main bearing caps;  1st stage 60 lbs/ft  2nd stage 85 lbs/ft
Good luck!
Ringo
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James,I must correct you.  She didn’t die.  She’s just very ill.Get well soon!Ringo

Jennifer
I took a look tonight and I think you might be able to get it fixed without lifting the engine.  I used an inspection mirror and I can see the tube into the engine block.  Yeah, it’s kinda inside the engine mount, but I was able to get my hand up on the tube from underneath and still see with the mirror all the way to the block.
It’ll b…[Read more]

Great shots!  Thanks for sharing.There’s a Brit club here about, I’ll think I’ll go to one of their shows.Ringo

Hey Gang;The reason I chose to get a replica may have a whole lot to do with my first encounter with the real thing.It was the late 60’s and most of the guys were getting our first cars. The majority of us, myself included, had VW Beetles.  The main reason for my crowd to go with those was the low cost.  Muscle cars were always a dream to us,… s…[Read more]

Jennifer;Mark’s on the spot on this.  It sure is scary when you pull one of those out of the block the first time, huh? Why something that we use so often is press fit rather than threaded is beyond me. Ringo

FrankieD;Thanks so much for the great offer to update . We don’t say it enough, but thanks for all you do for us!   Again, thank you,Ringo

James,Nice! You’ve got to love having more leg room along with more storage.  My Duchess has a step up floor pan under the seat (less than 2 inches between seat bottom and the stepped up floor pan) so I could raise my seat, but not lower it.  Luckily, I have plenty of leg room and a good driving position. If it weren’t for the hidden hatch I’d b…[Read more]

James;Thanks for the photos.  Good ideas. I’ve got a cargo net like that somewhere around here, just need to find it. I’ve thought about the strips on the bottom but I wonder if my driving style would sling stuff from side to side too much. (NO, I can’t just slow down!)  I’m guessing that it works great in conjunction with the net.  Have you ro…[Read more]

James,
Good luck with it.  I’m sure you’ll figure it out and I hope it’s simple. As for now, I’m out of ideas.  I’ll check with some of my buds and if they have any brain storms, I’ll pass ’em along.
Keep us posted.
Ringo

James,OUCH!  That is not the way to enter the summer. I may be reaching here, but before you tear into the engine take the starter completely out and see if you can then turn the engine over by hand.  I’ve had a Ford starter lock with the flywheel before.  Took me days to figure that one out.  Now it would be the first thing I would check if I eve…[Read more]

Mark,I hate to hear this.  It would be a shame for a member as helpful as you have been to not have a replica.  I’m sure we all hope that the worst won’t happen and you can remain with your home, your job, and your cars. Ringo

Rich,Way to go!  You must have a magic touch with the electrical system to get it figured out so quickly.  Stay under the radar!Ringo

Rich,Ain’t it great!  I put over 100 miles on the Duchess yesterday. It’s supposed to rain here the rest of the week, so I’ll do some more work on her before next weekend.  My advice is to polish a little, drive a lot, polish a little more, drive a lot more, repeat as required…….Have fun,Ringo

“Patience, n.  A minor form of despair, disguised as a virtue.”Ambrose Bierce, The Devil’s Dictionary

James and  Gang;I can’t seem to get the hyperlinks to work!Here’s the parent company of the those heat shields. http://www.heatshieldproducts.com/heat_shield.phpThey have lots of heat shield products that might be handy for fiberglass cars.Later,  Ringo