Not a lot of work this week in the workshop on the Seal engines due to working in part on some wooden toy's for my new Grand child Freya (and I hate wood!). However it has given me time to reflect on the quality of work undertaken January last year and I have decided to replace the Seal block and start again. Whilst it may be a little drastic I think it is the right thing to do and for £38 for a new one from Hemingway's its not worth trying to adjust/bodge/amend the existing one. It will also allow me to 'experiment' with the placing of studs and error where two studs try to share the same hole!

My reason for replacing is the poor alignment I made when boring the seating s for the valve inserts and really came to light when inspecting it for the first time in over 18 months. On a positive note my skill level must have improved (it couldn't have been worse!) as shown with the second and later casting for the other engine.

Whilst talking to Kirk Burwell (very approachable man)from Hemingway's about the handing of timing cover and backplate castings Kirk confirmed these do not exist and suspects its because there isn't a lot of call for them so it looks like I shall be doing a little pattern making in the near future!

I am hoping that next week I can return to metal work instead of wood! However time always seems to be less available than the projects to be done. Watch this space!

In happier times -before cutting the seats for the valves poorly.

In happier times -before cutting the seats for the valves poorly.