Running Again

The new cork gasket for the sump arrived on Friday from 3 Brothers Classic Rovers and so today the sump went back on, and the fluids were put back into the engine. Only the parts necessary for running are presently assembled, in case something required disassembly again. Opened the choke, turned the key, pressed the starter, and the engine started without a problem. It ran for a full half hour, to full temperatures, at various rpm's. Not a single leak visible. Perhaps it's just my imagination, but it seems to run even better than it ever did, quieter and smoother. Or it's just buttering me up for the next set of problems. Either way, can't wait to get out driving again!

A special thanks go to 3 Bros. for having the cork gasket made. It's a high quality part. They are also planning to do other gaskets in cork, as per the original specs.

Below, the choice of sump gaskets. On the left, the paper/cardboard one, in the middle a thicker cardboard one, and on the right the new cork gasket from 3 Bros. I had already determined that the one on the left would almost certainly leak, and the middle one less likely but with still a high probability. The cork one, which matches the original seal, looked perfect.

The three thicknesses. The cork gasket is 1/8" thick. The bolts holding it in place were torqued just to the point where the cork started to visibly spread near the bolt holes.

Voila, with all the principle parts reconnected, after the test run. There just remains the dangling and disconnected wiring, wing, mudguard and wheel to re-install. The Land Rover now has a rebuilt oil pump, water pump and timing mechanism, new front crankshaft oil seal, plus a new heater core, to go along with everything else that's been done.